Everyone wants to be happy, but happiness is shifty. Joy, on the other hand- Joy grounded in a relationship with Christ? That kind of joy runs deep and strong and is unshaken by circumstances. It's a joy worth looking into! So, join us as we study Paul's joy letter and purpose to be a people who rejoice at all times.
Hope, in Nothing Less
Speakers
Josh Blount
Lead Pastor
Worship
Notes
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Philippians 4:22
All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
Philippians 1:12-26
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
When you’re in a bind, what are you bound to and by?
Are the chains of your circumstances stronger in your life than your chains to God?
Jesus did come to break some chains but Jesus also came, to make available some new chains.
Philippians 1:13
I am in chains for Christ
Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ.
Bondservant - doulos = one who is subservient to, and entirely at the disposal of, his master; a slave.”
Bondservant - someone who chose to voluntarily and permanently serve a master as a slave.
Exodus 21:5-6
If the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life”
Isaiah 53:5
He was pierced for our transgressions
Paul is bound to Jesus and the cause of Christ, and He has chosen to make that bond stronger than any other circumstantial bondage that would try to attach itself to Him.
Philippians 1:22
What shall I choose?
Philippians 1:25
I will remain
When you’re in a bind, what are you bound to and by?
Are the chains of your circumstances stronger than your chains to God?
The chains of circumstances can either blind you to God and what God is doing, or through faith, you can bind yourself to God, His word, and His promises, and despite circumstances, you can have hope, joy, and peace.
Philippians 1:20
I eagerly expect and hope
2 Corinthians 11:23
I have… been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.
Acts 16:22
The city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
Acts 16:25
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.
Acts 16:26
Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!
The chains didn’t break their praise; they let their praise break their chains.
The circumstances we ask God to change are often the circumstances God is using to change us.”
Mark Batterson
Romans 8:28
And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.
Philippians 1:20
I eagerly expect and hope
Hope Is Huge
Hope is a positive expectation that something good is going to happen to you to change your circumstances.
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"
Faith must have hope
Hebrews 11:6
Without faith it is impossible to please God
God must have faith
Biblical hope does not depend on circumstances. True hope is anchored to the faithful, unchanging character of God and his promises.
Hope is not something you do, hope is something you receive!
2 Thessalonians 2:17
Through his grace he gave us a good hope and comfort that continues forever.
Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 6:19
This certain hope of being saved is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary.
When you’re in a bind, what are you bound to?
Are the chains of your circumstances stronger in your life than your chains to God?
Zechariah 9:12
Return to the stronghold [of security and prosperity], you prisoners of hope;
Stronghold - a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attacks.
Prisoner - kept in restraint; captive, dominated by.
Hope in Jesus is a stronghold, a fortified place designed by God to protect your security and prosperity; it’s a place where your heart is so secure in Jesus that your mind is restrained from the issues of this world and dominated by hope.
Because the strongest chains in Pauls life were attached to Jesus and not his circumstances,
Paul's Joy was untouchable,
Paul's assignment was unstoppable,
and Paul's hope was unshakable.
When you’re in a bind, What are you bound to? What are you bound by?
Are you bound to Jesus in Hope?… or are you bound to the circumstances of this world.
If you feel like you’re in a prison of circumstances today, if you feel like your chained to fear, and frustration… it’s probably because you’ve chained yourself to something less than God.