HOW TO ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR LIFE – part 2
JOY IN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES
Philippians 1:12-30

Circumstance #1: An unexpected inheritance of one million dollars
Circumstance #2: A freak tornado ripping through the Treasure Valley.
Circumstance #3: The unexpected loss of a job.
Circumstance #4: The birth of a new child or grandchild in your family.

What is joy?
Webster: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.

The secret to joy in your circumstances: change your desires

1. LOOK BEYOND THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO SEE GOD’S RESULT.

“And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.” Philippians 1:12-14

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for
great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it
grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing
nothing.” James 1:2-4

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop
endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident
hope of salvation.” Romans 5:3-4

Paul saw two results of his imprisonment:

1. Evangelism - The Praetorian Guard heard

2. Encouragement - Believers were bolder

“It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.” Philippians 1:15-19

2. LOOK BEYOND THE PERSONALITIES TO SEE THE PRIORITIES.

How do you handle people who “make things worse?”

1. Don’t forget those who are making things better

2. Remember the important thing

3. LOOK BEYOND THE TEMPORARY TO SEE THE ETERNAL.

Philippians 1:20-26

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 (NIV)

How do I activate this principle in my life?

1. A lifetime commitment to ministry.
2. A desire to be with Jesus.
3. An unselfish love for others.

4. LOOK BEYOND THE BAD NEWS TO SEE THE GOOD NEWS

“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.” Philippians 1:27-30

The Good News is more than a message, it is a lifestyle

GOOD NEWS LIVING

God's Challenge My Decision

“Standing together in one Spirit” I will continue to TRUST

“fighting together for the faith” I will not concede to CRITICISM

“not intimidated by our enemies” I will not be controlled by FEAR

“privilege of suffering” I will not be confused by SUFFERING

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

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