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Philippians 3:1-3; 4:4 (NKJV)

Philippians 3:1-3; 4:4 (NKJV). Chap 3

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Philippians 3:1-3; 4:4 (NKJV)

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  1. Philippians 3:1-3; 4:4(NKJV) Chap 3 1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit,[a] rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, Chap 4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

  2. Abundance of Joy Philippians 3:1-3; 4:4

  3. Abundance of Joy • It is time for us to once again pause and consider our theme for 2014 • The Abundant Life theme derives from John 10:10 • Jesus wants us to have an abundant life as we are here upon this earth, and has given us the tools to have it

  4. Abundance of Joy • Our focus this year is on the things that God has blessed us with that will make our lives fuller • Many of the blessings we have, but we may often fail to notice them or appreciate them as we should • One such blessing is the blessing of joy

  5. Abundance of Joy • Joy should be a word that characterizesall Christians (Gal. 5:22; I Thess. 5:16) • However, some look at the world we live in and wonder how we can have joy • The question then becomes, “What determines our joy?” as well as “What does God offer that produces joy?”

  6. Abundance of Joy • 1. God’s Blessings • One of the greatest sources of joy for God’s people are His blessings • Hannah rejoiced in the Lord after He blessed her with a child (I Sam. 2:1) • The Israelites rejoiced on several occasions due to God’s goodness (II Chron. 7:10; Ezra 6:22; Neh. 12:43)

  7. Abundance of Joy • 1. God’s Blessings • God continues to bless us today (Js. 1:17) • We enjoy special blessings found only in Christ (Eph. 1:3) • All of these blessings should give us joy in our Christian walk

  8. Abundance of Joy • 2. Salvation • If we never received another good thing from God, this should be enough to cause joy in the Christian • “My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation” (Ps. 13:5) • Many rejoiced in the salvation of God (Hab. 3:18; Zeph. 3:14-15)

  9. Abundance of Joy • 2. Salvation • Jesus told His disciples to rejoice “because your names are written in heaven” (Lk. 10:20) • There was rejoicing following salvation in Acts 8:39 & 16:34 • Peter said the joy of our salvation is “inexpressible” (I Pet. 1:8-9)

  10. Abundance of Joy • 3. Word of God • God’s own words should produce joy in our lives as well • “…Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jer. 15:16) • Job declared that he treasured God’s word (Job 23:12)

  11. Abundance of Joy • 3. Word of God • The Psalms gladly declare how wonderful God’s word is • Psalm 19:10; 119:72, 97, 111 • God’s word brings us joy because of the promises and salvation that are found within its pages

  12. Abundance of Joy • 4. Persecution • That persecution would bring joy always seems like an odd thought • However, it is what persecution produces and its reward that brings joy • Jesus said “rejoice and be exceedingly glad” when persecuted because of the reward (Matt. 5:12; Lk. 6:23)

  13. Abundance of Joy • 4. Persecution • The apostles rejoiced “that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41) • Hebrews 10:34 speaks of those who “joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods” • We also think of James 1:2

  14. Abundance of Joy • 4. Persecution • Joy comes because there is a product that follows those trials • Peter said we should “rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings” (I Pet. 4:13) • Yes, even persecution for the Lord’s sake can bring joy

  15. Abundance of Joy • 5. Hope • The hope that goes along with our salvation (based on God’s promises) should also bring joy • Paul mentions that we rejoice in hope both in Romans 5:2 and 12:12 • Just as hope itself is a blessing, the joy it brings is a blessing too

  16. Abundance of Joy • 6. Lost become found • The Bible also speaks of the joy that comes when the lost are found • There are 3 separate examples given in Luke 15 • There are many around us who are lost, and there is great joy in helping those lost to become found

  17. Abundance of Joy • 7. God • As Christians, we should find joy simply in God • Those who put their faith and trust in Him should rejoice (Ps. 5:11) • The mere presence of God should bring about joy (Acts 2:28)

  18. Abundance of Joy • 7. God • Paul said we rejoice in God because of what He has done for us (Rom. 5:11) • Paul carried the theme of joy in his letter to the Philippians • He reminds them repeatedly and says “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (4:4)

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