Do you want to grow in joy? The secret isn’t found in focusing on your needs. It’s focusing on others. Check out this message outline and video as we continue our study of Philippians, covering chapter 2!
ELECT JOY—Living for Others
(Philippians 4:4) “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
(Philippians 2:1-2) “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”
JOY KILLERS
(Philippians 2:3-4) “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
- Living to impress.
- Living for the applause.
- Living to compare.
(Philippians 2:5-11) “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(Hebrews 12:2) “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Key to Joy–>Develop a servant’s heart.
TRANSFORM INTO A SERVANT
- Remain all–in with God.
(Philippians 2:12-13) “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
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- Take a genuine interest in others.
(Philippians 2:19-21) “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”
WHO? WHERE?
- My people.
- My place.
- Live a life of intentional relationships.
(Philippians 2:25) “But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.”
THE PROMISE FOR THE SERVANT
(Philippians 2:14-15) “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.”
BOTTOM LINE: Humble yourself, and God will exalt you.