Know Jesus, Know Joy.
Got joy, friends? True lasting joy is IN the LORD. Not in circumstances, accomplishments, people, or relationships. We don’t have joy when we forget God’s grace. But when we have our joy in the right place, life makes sense. No Jesus, No Joy. Know Jesus, Know Joy.
We are in the book of Philippians today, chapters 3-4.
Paul starts off his letter with a reminder to have joy in the LORD. “In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord” (Phil. 2:1, CSB).
Our Joy is IN the LORD
This is our highest joy. Joy IN the LORD. Not in circumstances, accomplishments, people, relationships. Those things can bring temporary joy, but our joy is IN Jesus.
We see this appeal for joy also in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
The Greek word, Chairō defines this joy as “to delight in God’s grace (“rejoice”) – literally, to experience God’s grace (favor), be conscious (glad) for His grace. This is the source of our joy – we remember the incredible grace and forgiveness that God has given to us.
We don’t have joy when we forget God’s grace.
We need to stay in the place of remembering God’s grace. Paul then warns the church at Philippi against legalistic and divisive people in the church who insisted upon salvation being by circumcision, not by grace.
Our defining characteristic is not supposed to be outward measures and a return to trying to obey the law, but it is, as it says in Philippians 3:3, “For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh.”
Characteristics of what it means to know Jesus.
This also is our joy—we get to know Jesus!
Paul shares about how he prizes this joy of knowing Jesus and what it has meant to him in Philippians 8-11, “More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, 11 assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.”
It is what we consider things to be that makes a difference. “I also consider . . .
Paul considered everything as dung or garbage, as Paul put it, compared to knowing Christ.”
Know Jesus, Know Joy.
Do you feel that way about Jesus here this morning? Satan has a plan to distract us from our greatest joy and discourage us. But when we have our joy in the right place, life makes sense.
We can handle when life gets messy because when we know Christ, we know how He thinks and we become more like Him. Paul’s goal was simply to know Jesus. Above all else.
No Jesus, No Joy
There is no joy that lasts in anything other than in Christ. Where is our goal this morning? How will you achieve your goal? How will you know Him more? Just being in His word is a huge step in this direction.
Scripture of the Day: Philippians 4:4-7
“4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
What is this fruit of knowing Jesus?
We get to know the God of this universe. People delight in knowing someone famous . . . cannot get more famous than this.
And we don’t have to worry. We have all we need. And we have peace. Paul concludes this letter talking about contentment.
Discontentment will steal our joy fast, won’t it?
Phil 4:10-13
“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him[d] who strengthens me.”
Got joy, friends?
True lasting joy is IN the LORD. Not in circumstances, accomplishments, people, or relationships. We don’t have joy when we forget God’s grace. But when we have our joy in the right place, life makes sense. No Jesus, No Joy. Know Jesus, Know Joy.
7-Fold One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Day #189: Philippians 3-4
Scripture of the Day: Philippians 4:4-7
Listen: https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Phil.3
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