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The Joy of the Lord

The Joy of the Lord. Studies in Philippians. Series Goal. To understand the circumstances leading to the composition of Philippians To study the key themes Philippians To be encouraged and edified. Today’s Theme: Joy. One of the greatest gifts from God

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The Joy of the Lord

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  1. The Joy of the Lord Studies in Philippians

  2. Series Goal • To understand the circumstances leading to the composition of Philippians • To study the key themes Philippians • To be encouraged and edified

  3. Today’s Theme: Joy • One of the greatest gifts from God • It is also a gift quite unique to the Christian faith. • It is an eschatological gift (Isa 12.3; 25.9; 55.12) • But it is something that is seldom witnessed • Note Lee Kuan Yew’s comments about Singaporeans: we are champion grumblers! • For our own sakes and for witness

  4. Paul and the Letter Circumstances leading to the composition of the letter

  5. Founding of the Church at Philippi (Acts 16.9-40) • Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey • The Macedonian Call • Lydia and a women’s prayer meeting • Exorcism of a clairvoyant slave girl • Paul’s arrest • Conversion of the Philippian gaoler • Paul, the Roman citizen

  6. Paul’s Circumstances • Imprisonment • Most probably in Rome • For the gospel’s sake • Outcome uncertain • Letter written in the early 60s (AD 60-62)

  7. Occasion of the Letter • To thank the Philippians for support • To commend Epaphroditus • To give an update on his circumstances • To warn the Philippian Christians of the following: • Incipient division • Ardent Jews who wanted to impose Judaism upon the Christians

  8. The Christian Concept of Joy Joy that triumphs over circumstances

  9. Sayings from sages of the past • ‘The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune’ (William Shakespeare) • ‘The turbid ebb and flow of human misery’ (Matthew Arnold) • ‘If we have wine this morning, we should drink and be drunk’ (Chinese proverb) • Good times will not last forever, as all good things must come to an end. • Vicissitudes of life are an ever present reality, enjoy life while you can

  10. Much of our happiness depends on our circumstances

  11. Yet … • Paul was in prison and wrote about joy: his and the Christians’ • Why and how is it possible?

  12. Prisons in 1st century Rome • Prisons were harsh remand centres • ‘Life’ severely limited • No medical care • Constant fear of mistreatment from inmates or gaolers • What sense does it make to be joyful in such circumstances?

  13. Not only this … • Some Christians were preaching the gospel in order to create more trouble for Paul! • In sum, Paul was bereft of material comforts, threatened with torture and death, and maligned by those whom he regarded as brothers in the Lord. • Yet Paul could and did rejoice in adversity!

  14. Philippians 1.20-21 • 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. • 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

  15. Christ, Paul’s life • For Paul, to live is Christ • It is not just that he is living for Christ • Rather, everything about his life is Christ • And to die (in Christ) is gain • This does not mean he hates life • To die is to be with Christ in an unprecedented and unmediated way • Thus, death no longer frightens him

  16. Christ, Paul’s Life • Such statements make no sense unless we know who Christ really is. • Paul did, and Christ meant everything to him.

  17. Christ be magnified • Paul compares his life to a public exhibition, in which passers-by may see the glory of Christ. • However his life pans out and whatever comes his way, he wants Christ to be magnified or exalted. • All this takes immense courage and hence, Paul requests for prayer (v. 19)

  18. Philippians 1.14-18 • 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. • 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. • 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel. • 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. • 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

  19. Christ is being preached! • Paul’s imprisonment led more Christians to preach Christ boldly, but with two very different motives • Some did it out of goodwill and love, knowing that Paul was in prison for the defence of the gospel. • Others did so out of envy and strife, believing that Paul’s imprisonment was a bad testimony for the gospel. So they preached Christ but vilified Paul. • Paul’s attitude: as long as Christ is preached he will rejoice even if he was maligned.

  20. Philippians 1.12-13 • 12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. • 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

  21. The Gospel is advancing • One astonishing result of Paul’s imprisonment was that the gospel reached places that it would not have normally reached • The Praetorian Guard • Caesar’s household (4.22) • Imprisonment became for Paul an opportunity!

  22. Paul’s Joy in Philippians 1 • To live is Christ and thus Christ must be magnified • Christ is preached • The Gospel is advancing • Joy in spite of adversity

  23. A note from Romans 5.2-5 • A similar notion is found in Romans 5.2-5 • There, Paul says ‘we rejoice in (note: not “in spite of”) our sufferings’ because he knows • The whole process is under the control of God • This will bring about spiritual and eternal good: perseverance, character, hope.

  24. Other Statements of Joy in Philippians • 1.4 Praying with joy • 1.25 Joy in the faith • 2.17 Joy of sacrifice • 2.29 Welcoming with great joy • 3.1; 4.1, 4 Rejoice in the Lord! • 4.10 Joy at someone’s concern

  25. Joy and circumstances • Stoics: meet circumstances by being calm, if necessary, grit your teeth. • Paul: rejoice for God is in control. Adverse circumstances can be used by God for our eternal good • Paul: have the right focus; Christ above our circumstances

  26. Joy in the Lord • Does not depend on outward circumstances • Does not shy away from suffering but confronts it, i.e. never escapist but always realistic • While realistic, it is not bound by present circumstances but sees beyond them • Built on an immoveable and unchanging reality of our eternal relationship with Christ • Focused on eternal values and being assured of the final outcome. • An attitude, with Christ as the focus and centre

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