HIGH OCTANE JOY
A Teaching Series by The Rev. D. Johns based on the New Testament Letter of Paul to the Christians in Philippi
August 01 - Chapter 1: “Unconquerable Joy”
August 08 - Chapter 2: “How to Build Joy into Life”
August 15 - Chapter 3: “The Rebel’s Guide to Joy”
August 22 - Chapter 4: “How to Keep the Joy Going”
August 01 - Chapter 1: Unconquerable Joy
• Evident in prayer 1:4 + 1:9
• Built in partnership 1:5 + 1:7
• Convinced of completion 1:6 + 1:10
• Sustained by the preaching of Christ 1:12– 8
Paul is chained but the message is not contained 1:12-14
Mixed motives do not nullify Gospel advances 1:15-18
• Independent of circumstances 1:19-24
• Encouraged in others 1:25-26
• Stands firm in opposition 1:27-30
What attacks your joy on any given day?
What tactics have you learned for Philippians 1 to protect your joy from being held hostage?
August 08 - Chapter 2: How to Build Joy into Life
Build Joy through Christian Unity (2:1-4)
….. unity motivated by God’s blessings of …..
• Relationship with Jesus
• The love of Jesus
• Fellowship with the Spirit
• Tenderness & compassion
….. unity described as …..
• Like minded, with same love
• One in spirit & purpose
• No selfishness or conceit
• Humble regard for others
Build Joy by following the Jesus blueprint (2:5-8) of a willing, humble, sacrificial servanthood that ended in triumph & glory
Build Joy by giving your salvation a ’work out’ (2:12-30)
• Aware of God’s help (2:13)
• No complaining or arguing (2:14)
• Shine like stars (2:15)
• Hold out the word of life (2:16)
• Above even the worst of circumstances (2:17-18)
• Mutual affection & care (2:19-30)
In your experience, how does Christian unity, or its absence, impact your joy?
Do you find effort and joy to be polar opposites?
The universe has many types of stars; what kind are you?
August 15 - Chapter 3: The Rebel’s Guide to Joy
Joy does not come through normal channels (3:1-6)
….. like the identity & accomplishments connected with the religious elite, who elevate law & religious ritual over grace & spirit, boasting of privilege & performance (see also 2 Corinthians 11:16-29)
Joy does come by disposing of the religious rubbish and embracing a relationship with Christ (3:7-11) ….. lose so as to gain ….. sharing in the sufferings of Christ and in His resurrection power ….. righteousness from God through faith …..
Joy, like the Christian journey, is always a work in progress (3:12-21)
• Grab on! (312)
• Don’t look back! (3:13-14)
• Affirm your ‘Heavenly Citizenship’ (3:20-21)
If you were asked to brag about what you do better than others, what would we find on your resume? How are you/how is your church tempted to evaluate your ‘net worth’?
Do you identify with Paul’s statement in 4:8 “Nothing compares to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”? Do you think he really means this?
What do you, what does your church need to ‘lose’ right now? to toss on the rubbish heap?
August 22 - Chapter 4: How to Keep the Joy Going
Joy has a ‘verb’ dimension: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I say again, rejoice” (4:4)
Make a commitment to…
• Promote Christian unity and to be a ‘peacemaker’ (4:2-3)
• Visible gentleness (4:5)
• Less anxiety and more prayer (4:6-7)
• Live above street level (4:8-9)
• Show concern for those suffering & in need (4:10, 14-19)
• Learn the secret of contentment (4:11-13)
What do you need to be constantly reminded of?
Any ‘Peace Talks’ needed around your family/your church these days?
What is your current ‘anxiety level’? How can the truths of Philippians 4 help?
What outside force is most likely to upset your contentment? Perpetuate it?
What can Paul’s experiences with the church in Philippi teach us about ‘giving & receiving’?
If God doesn’t change our negative outside circumstances, what inside us needs to change?
MORE COMPLETE NOTES FOR EACH MESSAGE
Series introductions:
FORBES HAPPIEST COUNTRIES
Quantifying happiness isn't an easy task. Researchers at the Gallup World Poll went about it by surveying thousands of respondents in 155 countries, between 2005 and 2009, in order to measure two types of well-being.
First they asked subjects to reflect on their overall satisfaction with their lives, and ranked their answers using a "life evaluation" score from 1 to 10. Then they asked questions about how each subject had felt the previous day. Those answers allowed researchers to score their "daily experiences"--things like whether they felt well-rested, respected, free of pain and intellectually engaged. Subjects that reported high scores were considered "thriving." The percentage of thriving individuals in each country determined our rankings.
1 Denmark
2 Finland
3 Norway
4 Sweden
4 Netherlands
6 Costa Rica
6 New Zealand
8 Canada
8 Israel
8 Australia
8 Switzerland
12 Panama
12 Brazil
14 United States
14 Austria
16 Belgium
17 United Kingdom
18 Mexico
18 Turkmenistan
20 United Arab Emirates
The Bible says:
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine; but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
The world says:
• We live in a society where everybody is peddling joy. A legion of advertisers tell you that joy can be found in a bottle, pill, or new car.
Based on a sermon from Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church, Seattle:
Culture advocates//guarantees …. “pursuit of happiness”
1. PROCESS … live a certain way …. Magazine covers etc. example: Men’s Health “759 Ways to Live the Perfect Life”
2. POSSESSIONS … everyone looks so happy in the ads
3. PLACE … Vegas, Florida, Hawaii
4. PEOPLE … those who make others laugh are often the least happy themselves (Chris Farley, Belushi) … example: my first suicide funeral, Innerkip, the mascot
Religion advocates//guarantees … ‘the new spirituality’ (Oprah etc.) has little to do with god and more to do with fashioning a god who will fulfill all my dreams …. Even the more overtly Christian “prosperity//health & wealth gospel” which aligns happiness with the same things the culture values!!! – as if joy can be found in process, possessions, places, people! … as though, if you sneak God into the picture it all becomes sanitized & sanctified
Even Joel Osteen, as his syrupy voice soothes 30, 000 people with ‘total victory in Jesus’ (Jesus came to bring you a life with no anxiety, no pain, no strained relationship, no sickness, no financial struggles, no victimization)
But how does this resonate with Jesus & Paul? The above version of Christianity is Christianity without Jesus! … He was born to a poor family in a stable … he was betrayed to a false trial based on trumped up accusations and an unjust execution … beaten, scourged, crowned with thorns and brutally killed … disowned by family, betrayed by a close associate, abandoned by close friends, mocked by crowds that called for his crucifixion
… then there are the sufferings of Paul (see 2 Corinthians 11)
So Driscoll = “the cultural and religious pursuit of happiness has failed!”
“It is naïve to think that you can ‘declare yourself a champion’, ‘click your heels’, ‘suck on a lollipop’ and have total happiness”
Intro for part 1: Unconquerable Joy
Paul writes this letter from prison: his future is uncertain – perhaps death. He is lonely. He is concerned that Gospel preaching is being compromised.
This letter speaks of a DEFIANT nevertheless//no problem attitude,
and you spell that J – O - Y
Unconquerable Joy is Evident in Prayer
here's how it works: a joyful spirit//heart//disposition means less self focus and promotes love and concern for others = more likely to pray for them
note: J – Jesus O – Others Y – Yourself
Unconquerable Joy is Convinced that all will work out in the end
God initiates//sustains//finishes our salvation … vs. 6 = “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ” …. day of Christ = 6x in NT, 3x in Phil. = Christ's return
Unconquerable Joy is sustained when you know that Christ is preached
1. THE GOSPEL MESSENGER MAY BE CHAINED, BUT THE GOSPEL MESSAGE CANNOT BE CONTAINED!PAUL MAY BE OUT OF COMMISSION BUT THE GREAT COMMISSION IS STILL ON MISSION
Vs. 12 = “what has happened to me has really served to ADVANCE the gospel” - Greek = prokopen = make headway in spite of blows
LESSON: what we think is going to be a worrisome development, in God's eyes is just another opportunity for God to get some big things done.
It happens in two ways: first,
Vs. 13 = the Palace Guard get the message through their prisoner Paul … he is no ordinary prisoner I guess! … the prison walls do not box in the witness …. Paul has always been quite daring, even more so while in prison awaiting trial
Lesson: how easily do we let obstacles silence our witness
second, Vs. 14 = others are also encouraged to speak courageously! The church does not head underground yet. The flames of persecution and adversity simply cause the fire to burn more brightly.
2. MIXED MOTIVES AND QUESTIONABLE PREACHING ETHICS DO NOT NULLIFY THE ADVANCE OF THE GOSPEL
Vs. 15-18 = sad to say, but sewage seeps under the steeple in all ages: these ones who saddened Paul did so out of envy & rivalry, selfish ambition, stirring up trouble for Paul while he is in jail … opportunists seeking followers, building fame, disparaging Paul, embarrassing the Lord …. the Church has its blemishes, always has. Someone has said it this way: Jesus is looking good, but his bride is a mess!
But Paul's enthusiasm is not dissipated,
and the truth of the gospel goes on!
Paul says: What does it matter! Lesson: gospel advance is priority – willing to put aside personal affront, even hypocrisy of others, as long as the truth of Jesus goes out.
Unconquerable Joy rises above circumstances – this is Paul's big theological + experiential assumption: Joy is showcased in adversity!
Unconquerable Joy Stands firm in the face of opposition -
even when facing death:
You are going to die. No matter how well you eat, how much you exercise, or how carefully you live in the end you too will end up in a hole in the ground. Can you find any joy in that truth?
Answer: can be found in a philosophy espoused here in Philippians chapter 1
conclusion:this is so much more than lots of optimism, more than positive thinking …
illustration: 1001 More Humorous Illustrations #650 p. 232 “oldest optimist” ...
not optimism but it is a new matrix//paradigm built on some pretty good authority:
Unconquerable Joy has learned to look at life through a new lens
or
looking at life through a new lens has resulted in Unconquerable Joy
illustration: 1001 #646 p. 230 “Grandma's Glasses”
August 08 - Chapter 2: How to Build Joy into Life
Introduction:
Last week: 10 happiest countries to live in
This week: 10 happiest occupations (University of Chicago study, “Job Satisfaction in the United states”
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-where_do_america_s_happiest_people_work-569
The study says the occupations where people report being happy overall, not just in terms of job satisfaction, involve helping others, technical and scientific expertise, or creativity.
Tom W. Smith, director of the General Social Survey at the National Opinion Research Center at UC, elaborates: "Happiness is determined by how much satisfaction you get from all domains of life, and work is an important domain, so it's one of the major components of overall happiness."
According to the study, the top occupations in general happiness are:
1. Clergy
Job Description: Conduct religious worship and perform spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination.
Very happy: 67.2%
Median salary*: $44,102
2. Firefighters
Job Description: Control and extinguish fires, protect life and property and conduct rescue efforts.
Very happy: 57.2%
Median salary: $45,553
3. Transportation, ticket, and reservation agents such as travel agents
Job Description: Travel agents plan and sell transportation and accommodations for travel agency customers.
Very happy: 56.5%
Median hourly rate (travel agents): $14.23
4. Architects
Job Description: Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
Very happy: 53.5%
Median salary: $54,079
5. Special education teachers
Job Description: Teach school subjects to educationally and physically handicapped students.
Very happy: 52.6%
Median salary (preschool, kindergarten or elementary school): $41,344
Median salary (secondary school): $43,060
6. Actors and directors
Job Description: Actors play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or motion picture productions for entertainment, information, or instruction.
Very happy: 51.0%
Salary varies greatly
7. Science technicians
Job Description: Use principles and theories of science and mathematics to solve problems in research and development, and to help invent and improve products and processes.
Very happy: 51.0%
Median salary (research scientists): $72,435
8. Miscellaneous mechanical and repairing occupations
Job Description: Automotive service technicians and mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Very happy: 53.6%**
Median hourly rate (mechanics/auto tune up): $15.26
9. Industrial engineers
Job Description: Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes.
Very happy: 48.4%
Median salary: $61,729
10. Airline pilots and navigators
Job Description: Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers pilot and navigate the flight of multi-engine aircraft in regularly scheduled service for transport of passengers and cargo.
Very happy: 49.1%
Median hourly rate (airline pilots, copilots, or flight engineers): $63
Build Joy through Christian Unity (2:1-4)
….. Unity motivated by God’s blessings of …..
• Relationship with Jesus
• The love of Jesus
• Fellowship with the Spirit
• Tenderness & compassion
Chapter 1:27, 28 = unity for strength against an external foe
“Stand firm in one spirit contending as one man for the faith without being frightened by those who oppose you” … THERE CAN BE JOY WHEN STANDING STRONG TOGETHER IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION
Chapter 2:2 = internal unity & health in the church community … bad tone & tactics can be as destructive as bad theology! (more specific in 4:2-3)
THERE CAN BE JOY WHEN STANDING TOGETHER IN LOVE, ONE IN SPIRIT AND PURPOSE (2:2) + bonus! It makes another (Paul) joyful too!
Examples:
1. Like a dying parent, proud of the family (note Paul’s uncertain future)
2. Like an aging grandparent content to know the entire family is laughing and eating and playing, enjoying the family reunion or Christmas gathering
3. Like Yvonne and I, thrilled to ‘Skype’ our Calgary children, and we see them spending time together, enjoying each other
….. Unity described as …..
• Like minded, with same love
• One in spirit & purpose
• No selfishness or conceit
• Humble regard for others
Build Joy by following the Jesus blueprint (2:5-8) of a willing, humble, sacrificial servant-hood that ended in triumph & glory
Who has the qualifications, the credentials to be elevated as the model for humility?
Principle: when you willingly go low with no expectation of being elevated, you will be raised!
As a side note: if we were to set out to invent a successful religion, no way would we invent a ‘humble god’! Therefore, apologetically speaking, Christianity is worth my attention!
Let’s juxtapose humility & pride:
• In a human, pride comes naturally out of our brokenness: humility come through the Holy Spirit
• When we look at others, pride looks down on our neighbor, co-worker; humility looks up
• In terms of focus, pride is on self; humility is on others
• When it comes to celebration, pride glories in personal success; humility recognizes and promotes another’s success
• About goals: pride seeks independence; humility seeks greater dependence on God and increased interdependence with others
Pride is definitely achievable in this life!
Humility can be pursued but not fully attained in this life.
No one here can stand up and boast: “I am now a totally humble person!”
So, if we are to strive for it, and if we find ourselves seriously lacking the skills to be humble, what’s the solution?
NOTE: Jesus is both the example & the enabler (via the Spirit he has given his followers) …. That should give you positive encouragement & motivation to sign up on the ‘humble team’ …. But if it doesn’t, perhaps I need to scare you into the land of humility!
Proverbs 3:34 = The Lord mocks the proud but gives grace to the humble
Proverbs 6:16 = The Lord hates haughty eyes
1 Peter 5:5 = God opposes the proud
THEREFORE: 1 Peter 5;6 Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time.
St. Augustine = pride is pregnant with sin, the mother of all sin
Similarly, I’ll suggest that humility is pregnant with joy, the mother of all joy
Consider this:
• The joy of Eden was quickly displaced by prideful rebellion
• The citizens overrun by a brutal, prideful regime had their joy suppressed when enemy soldiers marched across European boundaries in WW II
• Investors lost more than their life savings when greedy, prideful money managers irresponsibly mishandled investments – joy was stolen too
• Pride & selfishness in a family cares the joy out of its members way too often
THEREFORE, if pride breaks joy, joy is built by humility.
BUT, our society celebrates self-help, personal achievement, and awards. (we will see in chapter 3 that Paul ‘rebels’ against this notion)
Christians live under another flag, by another philosophy – they live counter-culturally:
We will not bow before the false idols of
• Title
• Power
• Money
• Control
Note: when you feel the urge, the need to receive honor, give it instead!
John 3:30 = John The Baptist = “He must increase, I must decrease”
Build Joy by giving your salvation a ’work out’ (2:12-30)
• Aware of God’s help (2:13)
• No complaining or arguing (2:14)
• Shine like stars (2:15)
• Hold out the word of life (2:16)
• Above even the worst of circumstances (2:17-18)
• Mutual affection & care (2:19-30)
In essence, this = obedience
But how? It seems so difficult?
Look at vs. 13 = it is God at work to will and to act
God has done redemption & reconciliation – this is the work of regeneration (new growth over time) … all the work of God? My part?
Mark Driscoll’s illustration: like 2 pedals on a bike
God Acts I Respond
Redeems Believe
Calls Answer
Forgives Accept
Give a new heart & nature get in step with obedience
I grow in joy because God is helping!
God loves to do stuff for us!
God blesses ----- I praise
God restores ------ I celebrate
God helps -------- I give thanks
Thus we partner in a sense, we move on, deeper together – and my joy grows too!
Closing illustrations: from Bible.org
Joy from God that grows through life
When Haydn was once asked how it was that his church music was always so cheerful, the great composer made a most appropriate and beautiful reply. "I cannot," said he, "make it otherwise; I write according to the thoughts I feel. When I think upon God my heart is so full of joy that the notes dance and leap, as it were, from my pen; and since God has given me a cheerful heart, it will be pardoned me that I serve Him with a cheerful spirit." There is one thing which Christ's followers can do, and that is to keep themselves in the delightful atmosphere of His love. It is our fault and our shame if we spend so many days in the chilling fogs or under the heavy clouds of unbelief, or in the contaminating atmosphere of con¬formity to the world. "Is it always foggy here on the banks of Newfoundland?" inquired a passenger of an old sea captain. "How should I know, madam? I don't live here."—Gospel Herald.
Questions:
In your experience, how does Christian unity, or its absence, impact your joy?
Do you find effort and joy to be polar opposites?
The universe has many types of stars; what kind are you?
