The FOCUS For A JOY-FILLED Life, Pt. 3

Living A Joy-Filled Life In A Trouble-Filled World Philippians 1:3-6; Selected Scriptures By D.Z. Cofield, Th.M., D. Min. July 12, 2020 Scripture Reading – Psalm 138:1-8 (ESV) – I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; 2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. 3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. 4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth, 5 and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD. 6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. 8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. The FOCUS For A JOY-FILLED Life, Pt. 1 1. To live a joyful life you must PRAY with a focus on the PERSON of God and OTHERS. (vv.3-4) Philippians 1:3-4 (ESV) – I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, . . . Paul thanks God as he prays and remembers the Philippian saints, and he prays with joy. HE CHOOSES WHAT HE WILL REMEMBER AND FOCUS ON. Despite the fact that Paul’s in prison, and despite the painful problems he had in his past, PAUL DOESN’T FOCUS ON HIMSELF. PAUL CHOOSES TO FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE. HE FOCUSES ON GOD AND OTHERS. He still prays for others. Paul prays with joy. Joy – cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight. An inner gladness; a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful and rejoicing heart.:- Remember that Paul is in prison, yet he has joy in his heart. Paul teaches us that JOY IS A CHOICE, NOT LIKE HAPPINESS, THAT HAPPENS BY CHANCE. JOY IS ROOTED ON THE INSIDE, WHILE HAPPINESS IS BASED ON WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE OUTSIDE. Several things need to be said about the believer’s joy. A. JOY IS DIVINE! B. JOY IS INDEPENDENT OF CIRCUMSTANCES. C. JOY IS ROOTED IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND FAITH IN GOD. The FOCUS For A JOY-FILLED Life, Pt. 2 1. To live a joyful life you must FOCUS on the PROGRAM and PROVISION of God. (v.5) Philippians 1:4-5 (ESV) – always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:5 (AMP) – [I thank my God] for your fellowship (your sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news (the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now. WHEN YOU SUPPORT THE KINGDOM WORK OF GOD HE WILL MEET YOUR PHYSICAL NEEDS. WHEN YOU ARE IN THE WILL OF GOD, SERVING AND SUPPORTING FOR THE GLORY OF GOD, GOD WILL MEET EVERY NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY. The FOCUS For A JOY-FILLED Life, Pt. 3 1. To live a joyful life you must focus on the POWER and PLAN of God working in and through your LIFE. (v.6) Philippians 1:6 (ESV) – And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. A. God’s power and plan is evidenced in Him SAVING you. B. God’s power and plan is evidenced in Him DEVELOPING you. C. God’s power and plan will become evident when He FINISHES and DELIVERS you from mortal to immo...