Summer Of Joy
Joys Response
This summer we are taking the time to read the book of Phillipians, also known as the book “The Book Of Joy”. Philippians was written by the apostle Paul from a prison cell which is kind of ironic because he's trying to show us that you can be in the middle of what seems like a prison but joy doesn't have anything to do with what's going on around you. Joy starts in you and you can find joy and peace and confidence in the Lord no matter what's going on around you.
Links
Series
Speakers
Marcus Avalos
Lead Pastor
PHIL 1:12-21
I WANT TO REPORT TO YOU, FRIENDS, THAT MY IMPRISONMENT HERE HAS HAD THE OPPOSITE OF ITS INTENDED EFFECT. INSTEAD OF BEING SQUELCHED, THE MESSAGE HAS ACTUALLY PROSPERED.
1). JOY DEMANDS A REFRAMED MIND
ALL THE SOLDIERS HERE, AND EVERYONE ELSE, TOO, FOUND OUT THAT I’M IN JAIL BECAUSE OF THIS MESSIAH. THAT PIQUED THEIR CURIOSITY, AND NOW THEY’VE LEARNED ALL ABOUT HIM. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT MOST OF THE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS HERE HAVE BECOME FAR MORE SURE OF THEMSELVES IN THE FAITH THAN EVER, SPEAKING OUT FEARLESSLY ABOUT GOD, ABOUT THE MESSIAH.
2). A JOYFUL RESPONSE MATTERS...
IT’S TRUE THAT SOME HERE PREACH CHRIST BECAUSE WITH ME OUT OF THE WAY, THEY THINK THEY’LL STEP RIGHT INTO THE SPOTLIGHT. BUT THE OTHERS DO IT WITH THE BEST HEART IN THE WORLD. ONE GROUP IS MOTIVATED BY PURE LOVE, KNOWING THAT I AM HERE DEFENDING THE MESSAGE, WANTING TO HELP. THE OTHERS, NOW THAT I’M OUT OF THE PICTURE, ARE MERELY GREEDY, HOPING TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT FOR THEMSELVES. THEIR MOTIVES ARE BAD. THEY SEE ME AS THEIR COMPETITION, AND SO THE WORSE IT GOES FOR ME, THE BETTER—THEY THINK—FOR THEM.
3). JOYS BATTLE WITH SELFISH PEOPLE (JOY KILLER) HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THOSE WHO HAVE SELFISH MOTIVES? (PEOPLE DOING THE RIGHT THING WITH THE WRONG INTENTIONS)
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JESUS – DO NOT JUDGE – MATT 7:1
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PAUL – DIDN’T EVEN JUDGE HIMSELF; HE LEFT JUDGEMENT UP TO GOD. 1 COR 4:3-5
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1 COR 13:4-7 – LOVE DOESN’T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS, HARBOR JUDGEMENT....RATHER...IT SEEKS TO HOPE AND LOOK FOR THE BEST IN OTHERS.
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MATT 7:3-5 – TAKE THE LOG OUT OF YOUR OWN EYE
4). JOYS DEEP WATERS
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“AND IN THIS I REJOICE, YES, AND WILL REJOICE.”
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MATTERS MOST CHRIST IS PROCLAIMED. JESUS
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QUESTION: HOW ARE YOU DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN ADVANCING THE GOSPEL? (ASK: WHAT ARE YOU FOR?) (NOT AGAINST?
THROUGH YOUR FAITHFUL PRAYERS AND THE GENEROUS RESPONSE OF THE SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST, EVERYTHING HE WANTS TO DO IN AND THROUGH ME WILL BE DONE. I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO CONTINUE ON MY COURSE.
5). JOYS PATH TO VICTORY
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GENEROUS SUPPLY OF THE SPIRIT
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FAITH-FILLED PRAYERS FROM FRIENDS QUESTION: WE ALL HAVE THE SPIRIT BUT HOW MANY OF US HAVE FAITHFUL FRIENDS?
I DON’T EXPECT TO BE EMBARRASSED IN THE LEAST. ON THE CONTRARY, EVERYTHING HAPPENING TO ME IN THIS JAIL ONLY SERVES TO MAKE CHRIST MORE ACCURATELY KNOWN, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER I LIVE OR DIE. THEY DIDN’T SHUT ME UP; THEY GAVE ME A PLATFORM! ALIVE, I’M CHRIST’S MESSENGER; DEAD, I’M HIS PRIZE. LIFE VERSUS EVEN MORE LIFE! I CAN’T LOSE.
6). JOY’S FOOTING = JESUS
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I LIVE TO PROMOTE HIM
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I DIE TO ADVANCE HIS MESSAGE
WHO’S AT THE CENTER OF YOUR WORLD?
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: HOW CAN I PROMOTE HIM THIS WEEKEND?
i. Buy a Vet a meal.
ii. Call some friends or widows who served
iii. What does your (child/spouse) need to hear or see in this season that is Jesus-like?
iv. Buy an airplane ticket (Honduras) for a student
v. Plan a missions trip to Guatemala later this year.
vi. BBQ for the neighbor you don’t like?
Summer Of Joy | Week 4 | Joys Response
TALK IT OVER NOTES
Joy should be a part of our life as a follower of Christ.
MOST NOTICEABLE EVIDENCE
1). Hunger for God’s word
- 1 Peter 2:2
- John 6:35
2.) Joy
- Romans 14:17
Q1: Is there enough evidence in your life to pronounce you “guilty” of being a follower of Christ?
Joy can’t be taken away because Jesus is our source of Joy!
Joy’s foundation = Jesus
- I live to promote Him
- I die to advance His message
JOY LOOKS FOR THE BEST IN OTHERS:
Jesus - Do not judge
- Matthew 7:1
Paul - Didn't even judge himself; He left judgment up to God
- 1 Corinthians 4:4-3
Love - Love doesn't jump to conclusions, Harbor judgement... rather ... it seeks to look for the best in others.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Jesus – Take the log out of your own eye
- Matthew 7:3-5
Q2: Who’s at the center of your world?
Proverbs 16:9
What we see as a detour, is often the destination!
We have to stop questioning and start trusting!
- Proverbs 3:5-6
“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer”
- Corrie Ten Bloom
We need to learn to praise God for closed doors
He opens and closes doors that NO MAN can open by himself.
Whatever you don’t turn into praise, will turn into pain
God is the author of our faith!
“I got a front row seat to the madness. I pick up my phone every mornin' out of habit. I've been fiendin' for the drama, yeah, I said it. I'm addicted to the rush, need a medic. When I take a step back, I can see it. All the pain, all the fear we've been feelin'. Losin' sight of the thing that we're needin'. Honestly, I think we just need Jesus”
- Honestly, we just need Jesus: Song by Terrain
SUMMARY
John 16:22
John 15:11
Philippians 4:4
PRAY IT OUT
Father, we are just extremely grateful for everything that you have done for us. I pray for strength that as we act like Paul, we are joyful even when our surroundings say we can’t be. Father I pray that as we are walking down the path that You have made for us, that we feel your guiding hand to help us on our journey. I pray that You close the doors that need to be closed and that You open the ones that need to be. Be our Foundation, our Light, our Guide. Thank You again Lord, we pray this in Your name, Amen.