Lesson 6 - Paul's Guide to Joy Part 5

Please read Philippians chapter 4 in at least two different versions. Thus far Paul has shared with us how to be joyful in our suffering, in our service and in our trusting/believing in Christ. In Chapter 4 he wraps it up by talk about obtaining joy through giving of ourselves to others.

When we hear the word "give" we often freeze up. We start discussing all the reasons we can't give, yet Paul addresses this ever so wonderfully here.

1. First, list out below some of the reasons you feel you can not give:

2. Based upon verses 6 - 7, are your reasons covered here?


[ ] yes [ ] no
explain:

3. Based upon verse 8, are your thought patterns lining up with the Word?


[ ] yes [ ] no
explain:

4. In verse 4, when does Paul tell us to rejoice?

5. In verses 11-12 Paul shares his secret, and then verifies the "how" to his secret in verse 13
a. What is his secret?





b. What is the "how" to his secret?

6. There are two very specific reasons our joy may be complete in our giving. The are shared in verses 17b & 19.
What are they? 
a.b.

Most of us are VERY familar with Verse 19, "and my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (NIV) However; most of us have heard it preached on without the first word! We usually hear it something like "for I know that God will supply . . . "That first word is "and"! What does "and" usually mean? That there is something preceding it! In this case, it is how we live our Christian walk . . . as we give out (not just money, but of ourselves, our time and talents), and the Lord credits our account . . . then comes the "and my God will . . ."!!! How can we continue to miss that little word? It totally changes the context when it is left out!

Now, by what we give and by what we hold back, does that affect our salvation? NO! What it does affect is our level of contentment (as Paul speaks about in verses 11-13), or our "joy". Paul gave and gave and gave of himself for the sake of Christ! There were many, many times he had to do without certain things, but he always kept his joy . . . and, dear ones, we can too!

Now before you start thinking things like "no, you don't understand my life, what I have to face", let me remind you that Paul at the time of this letter to Philipi was IN prision! We CAN have joy . . . we can walk in it each and every day, we can live it each and every moment! It is a promise we can cling to and claim just as we can our promise of salvation - for from that salvation flows our joy in the Lord. It is a process, an application of God's Word and His prinicples to our lives each and every day, whether or not the "feelings" are there. It is a trust, a faith in Christ and in His Word.