Finding Lost Joy Paul writing to the Philippians in chapter three says: “My brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. ” (Philippians 3:1)
“Rejoice” have you ever considered the definition of this word?
It means to celebrate – to express joy – to cheer – to exult – to be glad – to delight. Paul says: “rejoice in the Lord.”
Faith Service Worship Vision There may be times when you find it difficult to reconcile God’s truth to your own opinion or worldview, God’s truth is eternal, it does not change, our understanding of the truth does change as we allow God to work in our hearts and minds. These sessions are not about opinion, they are about learning truth, the truth contained in the Bible, together we are going to focus on how we apply God’s truth, black & white in a grey world. To set godly priorities, grow in Christian character and live according to God’s standards so that we are a living witness to others.
Words of Truth & Life:
Session 9
When I was young my dad used to buy retread tyres for his car. Do you remember when re-tread tyres were popular? Retreads are made from an an old about worn out tyre that has a new layer of tread put on them. The tyres would look brand new when you bought them. Even though they would not last as long as a brand new tyre – they would last quite a while. The tyres were renewed – given a second chance – allowed to be useful again – they were restored to usefulness.
Do you need renewed joy? Why is it that so many Christians lose their joy? Has their “tread” been worn off? Do they need to be “retreaded” so that they can become useful again? After King David had an affair with Bathsheba – he said: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” (Psalms 51:12 NKJV), He had lost something – then he needed a new start and God gave it to him.
When you first became a Christian did everything seem to be fantastic? Do you remember the excitement, joy & peace? Be honest, in this journey called life, do you sometimes feel you need a retread? Do you need a renewed sense of joy – so that you can rejoice? In this study we are going to look at what Paul has to say about “How to find lost Joy” - If you have not lost joy then use this study to maintain the joy you have!
“My brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord!” (Philippians 3:1) This is a recurring theme in the book of Philippians. Paul talks about joy seventeen different times in this book. He keeps returning to this point – to remind us that we need to have joy. The Message Bible says it this way: “And that’s about it, friends. Be glad in God! I don’t mind repeating what I have written in earlier letters, and I hope you don’t mind hearing it again. Better safe than sorry.” (Philippians 3:1 MSG)
Paul is concerned about the joy of the Philippians – that they don’t lose their joy. Let’s examine some guidelines to help restore or maintain joy:
Live each day by GRACE Legalism can kill your joy. It can destroy the joy in your life. It can ruin a family, people, and churches. The Bible tells us: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
What does it mean when we say salvation comes by grace – not by works? It is not the good works that you have preformed that has won God’s
Bible Study
16 November 2010
favour. It is not that you have performed well – like some trained animal – that has caused God to love you. You have not won God’s grace by what you have done – He has freely given it to you. He loves you just as you are – but remember – He loves you so much – that He not willing to leave you there. He wants to build a relationship with you – and that relationship is to be based on His grace and mercy to you.
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B. You begin to trust in your RACE
What is Legalism, what does it do, what is the effect? Substituting rules and regulations for a relationship with Christ. It comes in very subtly to a believer. It gets the focus off what God has done for you and gets the focus on what you have to do for God. It says – “In order for God to love me I must ……” You can fill in the blank with many things.
Don’t trust in your ethnic background – it will not save you. Paul could boast because of his race: “I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one!” (Philippians 3:5 NLT) Paul says he used to trust in his heritage – but remember he now says – “We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us.” There is an American guy I have mention before called Brad Tuttle, he leads a ministry that is made up of Christian body-builders and strongmen. In his testimony he says how he was brought up to believe that all Americans went to Heaven! He was taught he was a Christian because he was born in America.
Some Christians believe they MUST go to church every Sunday – or they MUST read their Bible every day – or they MUST tithe 10% – in order for God to love them. Although many things are good habits to get into – it is not doing all these “things” that cause God to love you. God loves you because He chooses to love you: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NKJV)
Thankfully God opened Brad’s eyes to the truth and now he knows that apart from a person relationship with Jesus – there is no salvation, being born in a “Christian Nation” or even a “Christian Home” does nothing – you are only saved from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us.”
Christ died for us while we were still sinners and God loves us even though we are still sinners. When you push grace out of the picture – you are going to lose your joy.
Is living by grace the key to joy? It is important to realise that everything God does in you and through you is by grace, rather than working for it and earning it. Grace is the secret of joy.
C. You begin to trust in your RELIGION Paul called himself: “A Hebrew of the Hebrews” (Philippians 3:5 NKJV). Saul was a religious person – Paul had a personal relationship with Jesus.
Many people try to add on rules in order to earn salvation. They might say “all you have to believe and trust in Christ – but you must do something else.”
Religion is man’s attempt to get to God. God’s attempt to get to man is through Jesus Christ.
In Paul’s day – they said you must also be circumcised in order to be saved. Paul uses his life as an example. Paul was the super-star legalist before he became a believer. He had tried the rules and regulations way and it didn’t work. In fact he gives this warning:
There is a big difference between being “religious” and having a relationship with Jesus. No denomination has a copyright on truth or a patent on God.
D. You begin to trust in RULES
“Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us.” (Philippians 3:2-3 NLT)
Paul said: “I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law.” (Philippians 3:5 NLT) Paul tried to keep all the rules. We think of the Pharisees as hypocrites – but there were some that were genuine – sincere ones.
Do you “rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us.”? Paul found that legalism did not earn him salvation. If anyone could rest in their efforts – it was Paul. Yet Paul found that without a relationship with Jesus – all his efforts were in vain.
Do you know how many commandments the Pharisees followed? They took the Ten Commandments and expanded them into 619 other commandments – they were legalists! For example:
How do you know when you’re falling into the trap of legalism? Paul gives us five examples of legalism we need to watch out for today:
A. You begin to trust in RITUALS Paul says: “I was circumcised when I was eight days old.” (Philippians 3:5 NLT)
Can you name some of the church rituals we have today? Baptism, communion, catechism, child dedication – but none of these will save a person. If you fall into this trap – trusting these for your salvation – you’re in trouble.
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A Pharisee would not even eat an egg if it were laid on the Sabbath, because they considered it to be work.
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If he got bit by a mosquito on the Sabbath, he would not scratch because that was considered work.
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A Pharisee would not allow a woman to look in a mirror on the Sabbath because she might see a grey hair and pull it and that would be considered work.
The Pharisees were pros at keeping the rules and regulations.
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E. You begin to trust your REPUTATION
You give up frustration and lack of purpose in life and gain real meaning and purpose in life. You give up going to hell and gain going to heaven. You gave up trying to solve all your problems in your own power and gain having the resources of God to help solve your problems.If you ask me – that’s a pretty good trade-off!
Paul said: “I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.” (Philippians 3:6 NLT) Today people say, “I read the Bible, I witness, I go to church, I tithe...” – they are depending on their reputations – their works - that’s legalism. Now don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with these things – but the problem lies in the fact that some people think they that get “points with God” for doing all that stuff. They think that God owes them something for all the stuff they have been doing – but God loves you unconditionally.
Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep for that which he cannot lose.”
What are you willing to give up for God?
Get committed to Christ – live for Jesus Christ – He will change your life and He will give you unspeakable joy. Let’s move on to the third guideline:
The Bible says: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NKJV)
Grow in your RELATIONSHIP with Christ
Paul said Christianity is not a matter of rules, rituals and regulations. It is a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a life of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Lasting joy comes from knowing Christ more and more. Paul said: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings” (Philippians 3:10)
Let’s move on to the second guideline for living a life of joy:
Keep your priorities in PERSPECTIVE
Paul says his number one goal in life is to know Christ better and better, how well do you know Jesus Christ? Do you have an intimate relationship with Christ? Do you talk to Him every day? That is what we
Why do so many people look for joy in all the wrong places? Nothing is as valuable as a relationship with
do when we pray – we talk to Him.
Jesus – there is no comparison. You can become a very “religious” and still not have joy. In fact you can be a very religious person and still be lost.
Do you consider that God is with you every day?
If you are a Christian – He is. The Holy Spirit is dwelling in you. Where you go – He is there also. Never stop growing and developing your relationship with God. The moment you stop growing, you’re going to lose your joy.
Paul said it this way: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:7-8 NKJV)
How can we grow our relationship with God?
A. Time
It takes time to know anybody, to develop a relationship. It takes time to get to know God. You need to spend time alone with God to get to know Him. Set down with your Bible, read it and let God talk with you through His word. Jesus said: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27 NKJV). Listen to Jesus as He speaks to you.
We need to know what is important. Don’t lose your joy over things that really don’t count. The number one reason people lose their joy is they misplace their priorities. They get too involved in things that really aren’t that important. Paul is saying that what matters most is not your prestige, pedigree, possessions, position or power – but a personal relationship with Jesus. You can have it all and still be unhappy. The Bible warns us:
B. Talk
You must also talk to God in order to have a good relationship with Him. Every good relationship requires good communication. The Bible tells us: “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:18 NLT)
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15) Many people are afraid that they are going to have to give up something in order to become a Christian – and they are right! When you come to Jesus Christ you give up everything you’ve got. It is a total commitment. But what you find in following Christ is worth much more than you give up. You give up guilt and gain a clear conscious. You give up worry and gain a power for living.
C. Trust
Relationships are built on trust. God wants you to learn to trust Him. He will allow all kinds of problems in your life so you can learn that He is reliable all the time. God is reliable in every situation. He can be counted on to be faithful. Paul says that his number one ambition in life is to know Christ.
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Are you losing your joy? Have you lost it?
are better looking than you. So what? These comparisons have no bearing at all on your own personal happiness. You will never find happiness by looking around at what others have or don’t have. The only way you will find happiness is by looking up to God.
Build a relationship with Him – who love you.
How much does Jesus love you?
He loves you so much He was willing to die for you. Spend time with Him – talk with Him – trust Him daily and allow Him to go to give you joy.
Learn To Adapt To CHANGE Everything in life changes. If there is nothing else that is happening to you right now – you are at least getting older. Someone has said, “The only consistency in life – is that there is always change.” Life is full of ups and downs – emotionally, physically, mentally and financially. Everything in life is changing. If we could live long enough we could watch the mountains erode into the sea. Change is certain.
The Joy of Learning CONTENTMENT In 1965 the rock band, The Rolling Stones, released a song – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction. It was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. It became the Rolling Stones first number one hit in the United Sates. In this world there are many people that seem to get no satisfaction out of life. They seem to be unhappy, unfulfilled and unsatisfied. They walk around in a season of discontent. They lack fulfilment in their lives.
How well do you handle change? How well do you adapt to the changes around you? Some people
get moody. Some people get mad. Some people get frightened. Some people get uptight. Paul says that one of the secrets of learning to be content in life is the ability to adjust to all kinds of circumstances and change. If we are going to be successful in life we need to learn to adjust to change in a positive manner. Your happiness in life is largely dependent upon your ability to adapt – to adjust to change. Change is going to happen whether you like it or not.
What is the secret of a satisfying life? Paul writes in Philippians chapter four: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV)
Paul says that he’s been through good times and bad times – but through it all he has learned how to be content in all situations. True joy and happiness do not come out of your situation or circumstances – but out of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul says that he’s learned to be content – independent of the circumstances that he is going through.
Paul says that in whatever situation he has found himself he has learned how to be content what does he mean by contentment? Contentment is not apathy
or being melancholy. It is not laziness or complacency. It is connected to taking a realistic view of your situation and adjusting to it. Contentment is independent from circumstances and its power comes from relying on God – no matter what situation you find yourself in.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NKJV) God will see to it that not only the good stuff in our lives are used to His glory – but the bad stuff too. This fact is crucial to learning to adjust. If you don’t adjust you’ll break down or burn out.
How can we find joy in the jungle of life? How can we find contentment in the mist of catastrophe?
Paul says contentment is learned. It’s not something that is instantaneous. The situations of life are the school of learning contentment. The problem is – many people turn bitter instead of better when life deals them a bad hand. Some people never learn how to be content and they live life unfulfilled, unsatisfied and unhappy.
Learn To Draw On Christ’s POWER Instead of depending on our own strength and effort – we must learn to draw on Christ’s power. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) The Greek word for “strength” is the word from which we get the word “dynamite”. Paul is saying, “Jesus Christ is the dynamite in my life. He is the one who gives me continuous energy. He is the one who gives me energy. He is the one who gives me power. I rely on His power not my own. His power will never run out. I am confident that I can cope – because I rest in the hope of Jesus Christ.”
Learn Not to Compare Yourself To OTHERS When you compare yourself to others two things can happen you become prideful (because you see yourself better than others) and you become jealous (because you don’t have what others have.) Comparing yourself to others always leads to discontent. Paul tells us in verse eleven: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” (Philippians 4:11 (NKJV) Paul has learned contentment – by not comparing himself with others. If you want to learn to be content you have to avoid comparisons. There will always be people that make more money than you. There will always be people who are smarter than you. There will always be people who
Learn To Trust GOD “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) This is a statement of trust – it is a statement of faith. If you are a child of God – He has made promise after promise that He will take care of you.
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