Philippians: Joy/ Full Living

January 7- March 17, 2024

In this great book of Philippians (key verse being 1:21) we will learn of the wonderful, joyful life that we have in Jesus Christ and how this joyful life can change who we are day today.

For instance, in the opening words, Paul spills and overflows with joy and thanksgiving which then blossoms into prayer. We can be the same--even in the midst of conflict and tension. We will benefit from this practical study of Philippians and end with even greater Joy Full Christian living.

Week 1: A Model Prayer, Philippians 1:1-11.

Paul wrote from a dark place a letter of bright joy. In the midst of threatening circumstances, chained to a Roman guard, Paul taught us the intricacies of knowing joy. And it gets better. There is a mood in this introduction that is quite refreshing. In fact, the mood blossoms into a wonderful heart-felt prayer. If you ever wondered what a joy-filled Christian prays for, well... here it is.

Week 2: Joy, No Matter What. Philippians 1:12-16

Are you waiting for something to change before you can know joy? Do not wait until something goes away, or until someone goes away… joy is for today, right now! Joy happens when our lives are in God’s hands… no matter what. In Paul’s optimistic letter, he names three very typical things that can take our joy away and says, “No way!”. Deep-seated joy and contentment are available in life, even in the midst of chaos. Be encouraged, there is “joy, no matter what!”.

Week 3: Head Down. Philippians 1:27-30

We have already learned that we can have complete joy even through troubling circumstances, when feeling opposition, or through the horrible uncertainty of future events. Now Paul encourages us to keep our head down, remain committed to the Lord and leave the details to him. Enjoy the fullness of joy in Jesus by remaining committed.

Week 4: Securely On Track. Philippians 2:1-11

Life feeling a little heavy? It certainly can feel that way. But in the

midst of life's dark challenges, Paul speaks profound truths of joy and helps us stay securely on track in our walk with the Lord. Let's be encouraged.

Week 5: How Should We Then Live? Philippians 2:12ff

Today’s title is also the unusual title of Francis Schaeffer’s classic 1970s book. And its use today is well-timed. After the brilliant Jesus text of Philippians 2:9-11, Paul could easily have launched into an alluring liturgy of praise and prayer. But no. Instead, Paul followed the intense humility of Jesus and his sacrificial death passage with several practical Christian admonitions. So here they are--three areas of focus on “How Should We Then Live?”.

Week 6: Valued Relationships. Philippians 2:19-30

God has always valued relationship, and Paul clearly valued relationships as well as we see in his letter to the Philippians. Following both Paul’s teachings and example, we can also learn to better (and intentionally) value our relationships with people around us. Let’s express our Paul-likeness and invest ourselves into the lives of others.

Week 7: Life's Worth. Philippians 3:1-11

We may be privileged with an honorable name, with a rare accomplishment, with a unique talent; however and horribly, we may think that those bring us worth. Not true. That which brings worth is

available to us all equally. Enjoy the Bible passage today and be free

from fake worth to authentic worth in Jesus.

Week 8: Straining Forward. Philippians 3:12-16

How can we all deep down (and above all else) desire to “strain forward and press on toward the goal” of the prize of Jesus Christ, when to often we actually do not want to? Pauls shows us how. Let’s begin by asking God to give us a desire to know Jesus and to walk with him like we

have never before.

Week 9: Think On These Things. Philippians 4:8-9

While Philippians is full of fantastic truth (Jesus is our life- 1:21, he is our example- 2:5-8, he is our goal 3:13-14, and he is our sufficiency- 4:6-7), the benefits can be sabotaged by our thoughts. Today’s lesson teaches us the value and consequences of our thought life. What’s at stake for thinking about the right things? Our lives.

Special Guest: Pastor Ron Markloff

Our special guest today is Pastor Ron Markoff, Pastor Ron is the director of Venture Church Network, Mid Atlantic, a 7 state network of Churches, of which we are a member. Pastor Ron has over 40 years ministry experience, comes to us from Eastern PA.

Week 10: Aaah. Contentment. Philippians 4:10-13

Shhh. We are going to reveal a secret today. We live in the most prosperous, most indulgent nation that humanity has ever known, yet largely discontented. This morning we will reveal (“remind” for many of you) the secret to contentment. We can absolutely learn that “in whatever situation I am to be content” (4:11).