Secrets to the Joyful Life Part Two

I.               Introduction

A.  Secrets to Success

B.  Secrets to Spiritual Growth

C.  Review of Part One

1.    Rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4-5)

2.    Find Peace in Prayer (Philippians 4:6-7)

II.            Secrets to a Joyful Life Part Two

A.  on the Good (Philippians 4:8)

1.    When we on things that feed , all we can expect is more .

a.    Paul encourages us to consider where we’re living, not physically, but mentally.

b.    When we dwell somewhere, we’re not visiting; it’s home.

2.    What do you allow to in your mind and heart?

a.    If all we allow into our minds is garbage, then all we can expect to come pouring out of our lives is garbage.

b.    Mentally, we sometimes find ourselves dwelling on the negative side of a situation. We call this stinkin’ thinkin’ or Cognitive distortions. These distortions make us believe we are no good, worthless, etc.[1]

c.    Jesus would remind us that we are all so very valuable to Him that He gave His life for us. (Matthew 10:26-33)

B.  the Good (Philippians 4:9)

1.    Learning is important!

a.    Paul says the brethren had received and learned.

b.    Look at the various ways Paul stresses he taught the Philippians (heard and seen).

c.    We want people to be able to learn from us.

2.    However, there is a difference in learning and developing skills.

a.    Developing a skill requires me to continue to engage with it and put it to use.

b.    without fades. Sometimes, we phrase it, “ it or it.”

3.    Paul says that we should practice the good things we have been taught.

a.    The Greek word for practice in this passage is πράσσω (prasso).[2]

b.    Roper observes that the word “suggests repeating an action until it becomes natural.”[3]

c.    Illustration: Practice

4.    Things like the spiritual disciplines should become habits of faith for us.

C.  Be (Philippians 4:10-13)

1.    This is challenging because we are often raised with the mindset that more is better.

2.    Paul reminds us that one of the biggest secrets to a joyful life is learning to be .

a.    Some translations use the term satisfied, which is part of the meaning.

b.    Paul says he had learned this, but it didn’t come naturally.

3.    Paul says that the big secret to finding joy in life is to with Jesus. (…through Christ…)

a.    If things are good, He is there. If things are bad, He is there.

b.    The phrase, “I can do” comes from the Greek word for strong (ἰσχύω).[4]

c.    Hugo McCord translated the verse, “I have strength for every situation…”[5]

d.    Roper phrases the thought this way, “Some of life’s situations can be cured, but others must be endured.”[6]

4.    Christ should be our everything because He is the only thing that can truly bring contentment to our lives.

a.    If our satisfaction with life is all about the next great thing, we will end up in a constant state of disappointment.

b.    THE secret to living a joyful life is to walk with Jesus.

III.         Conclusion

A.  The Secret

1.    There is no “secret” to living the joyful life.

2.    God makes it plain and makes it free.

B.  Invitation