Today I continue to share my sermon notes which I began to share yesterday, where you can get ahold of the video or audio of the sermon.
1. Joy in partnership—loneliness kills joy
1.4-5 making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
Togetherness that comes from a shared mission and purpose. Real joy when team succeeds—see this in next point.
2. Joy in the Gospel—sin kills joy
1.18 Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Without Christ we are as miserable as sin.
Psalm 51 shows us that sin is a killjoy—his guilt leads David to cry “restore to me the joy of your salvation”
Gospel brings joy if understood correctly.
If we fully appreciated what God has done for us we would be ecstatic with joy!
3. Joy in Hope—hopelessness kills joy
Without a sovereign God what hope can we have?
1:18-19 Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,
No hope = disappointment, insecurity, fear.
4. Joy in Faith—Immaturity kills joy
1:25 I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
5. Joy in Unity—division kills joy
2:1 Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
No unity=disagreement, hate, anger, bitternes
6. Joy in Others—selfishness kills joy
The previous two spoke of this also — “complete my joy” and purpose of ministry to bring progress and joy in others.
2:18 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
The role of a pastor according to Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:24 “we work with you for your joy”
We must ALL FIGHT FOR JOY for ourselves, but also for each other!
There is REAL joy to be found in serving others.
”. . . who for the joy that was set before him [Jesus] endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2)
But how can your leaders do that if you have never made yourself KNOWN? If you are not connected in a church you cannot follow these commands.
These notes will conclude tomorrow.
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