We are in a 4-week study during this Advent Season called, The Joy Challenge. Each week we are looking at a different chapter in Paul’s 4-chapter letter to the Christians at the church in Phillipi, a church he had planted in the Roman Province of Macedonia. This week we will see what Paul teaches us about being able to experience true Joy Despite My Past.
If anyone can teach us how to experience true joy in the midst of the difficulties, trials, and the wounds and hurts that we face in life, it is the Apostle Paul because he is writing this “Treatise on Joy” from prison. He is under house arrest and probably chained to a different Roman guard every 4 hours - 24/7. He is going to go on trial for his life as is described at the end of Acts 28 in the Bible. And this was after he has already experienced in his life what he shares in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28…. during his ministry of sharing the gospel (good news).
Philippians 3:1…
Paul is saying ‘Hey, in the midst of whatever happens in life, keep your joy! --- Don’t be a Christian who goes through life with no real joy. As we are seeing today in chapter 3, he knows our past can steal our joy.
And so, we need the countermeasures Paul teaches us here in his letter to the Church in Philippi where he uses some variation of the word Joy 16 times.
Philippians 3:2-11… Resist legalistic attitudes & Consider what really matters.
Philippians 3:12-16… Let go of the past & Focus on the future.
Philippians 3:17-4:1… Surround myself with the right people.
Taking It Home
We encourage you to take a few minutes today and this week to process this morning’s message. These questions are designed for discussion with your family, a friend, mentor, spouse, and small group. They are also useful for self-reflection.
1. What stands out to you in these passages from the Bible? From the message?
2. What is difficult for you to understand or accept in these passages from the Bible? From the message?
3. What is God saying in these passages and through what we heard in the message about Himself? About people? About you?
4. What examples are there to follow, commands to obey, or promises to stand on from these passages in the Bible, and from what we heard in the message?
