Christ Church Bartlett

Unspeakable Joy — Philippians 4:2-9 — The Joy of a Proper Prospective • Worry is our futile attempt to carry burdens beyond our control and at the same time our failure to trust God to provide. (Philippians 4:2-6) • It is impossible to worry when we are in the presence of God and our hearts are kept in His perfect peace. (Philippians 4:6-7) • After casting out our anxious thoughts, we must renew our minds by replacing them with positive truths. (Philippians 4:9) Application — Do not worry. Trust God and allow Him to protect your heart in His perfect peace.

The Joy of being a Citizen of Heaven -- Philippians 3:17-4:1 • Each of us needs a godly example to show us what it looks like to walk in obedience to Jesus. (Philippians 3:17-18) • Many false teachers pervert the name of Christ and walk as enemies of the cross by enticing unsteady souls and leading them down the path of destruction. (Philippians 3:18-19) • Jesus came to redeem us from the domain of darkness and legally transfer us into His kingdom, incorporating us as citizens of heaven under the government of God. (Philippians 3:20 - 4:1) • Application — May we live as obedient citizens of God’s kingdom and in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ!

Jesus shed His innocent blood as our Passover Lamb — dying as our substitute on the cross to deliver us from bondage and death. 1 Corinthians 15:12-28

Ezekiel 45:21-22 21 “In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, you shall observe the Passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten. 22 And on that day the prince shall prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bull for a sin offering.

Philippians 3:12-17 The Joy of Making Christ Known • To know Jesus and make Him known is our greatest pursuit in life. [Philippians 3:12] • We can always trust Jesus to direct our paths and lead us home in the end. [Philippians 3:13] • We discover our very purpose for existence as ambassadors for Christ to the nations. [Philippians 3:14-16] • Our greatest privilege is to walk as His witnesses and proclaim the good news of the kingdom to the ends of the earth and until the end of the age! [Philippians 3:17] As We Go … Discover your true purpose and greatest privilege in life as an ambassadors of Christ and messengers of reconciliation!

Philippians 3:1-11 The Joy of Knowing Christ • God is more concerned with the condition of our hearts than with misplaced confidence in our flesh. [Philippians 3:1-6] • What does it profit man to gain the whole world and lose his very own soul? [Philippians 3:7-9] • One of the many benefits of God’s law is to make us aware of our sin and of our need for a righteous Savior. [Philippians 3:9] • We have no greater joy in life than to know Jesus Christ in a personal r relationship, enjoy His presence and embrace his promises, and experience the profound power of His resurrection. [Philippians 3:10-11] • As We Go … Discover the Unspeakable Joy that only comes from Knowing Christ and the Life Transforming Power of His Resurrection!

March 13 — The Joy of Partnership — Philippians 2:19-30 • Every follower of Christ should have both a “Paul" and “Timothy” in his or her life. [Philippians 2:19:24] • As followers of Christ we need one another to bear burdens, divide sorrows, and multiply joys. [Philippians 2:25-28] • Every follower or Christ must be willing to risk his life for the sake of Christ and the gospel. [Philippians 2:29-30] As We Go … Be a disciple and be a disciple maker and discover the joy of partnership in the gospel!

The Joy of Obedience — Philippians 2:12-18 • The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. [Philippians 2:12-13] • Obedience is the true measure and pure expression of our love for God. [Philippians 2:14-15] • The outward expression of our faith is like a bright light shining in a dark world, drawing men to the goodness and glory of Jesus Christ. [Philippians 2:16-18] As We Go … If you love Christ, do what He says and do as He does for the good of others and the glory of God.

The Joy of Humility–Philippians 2:5-11 •5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, • 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God ra thing to be grasped, • 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, • 3 being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. • 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, • 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 1 • 1 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is eLord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Joy of Staying Strong in the Battle — Philippians 1:27-30 -- Feb 13 • We stand firm in the Holy Spirit. • We strive hard and stay strong in the battle for our faith. • We stand against the devil and the evil powers of darkness over this present age. • Jesus is never closer than when we face the darkest night and the deepest suffering of our soul. Applcation -- Allow the Joy of the Lord be our Strength and our Song in the midst of the war.

The Joy of Staying Strong in the Battle — Philippians 1:27-30 -- Feb 13 • We stand firm in the Holy Spirit. We strive hard and stay strong in the battle for our faith. • We stand against the devil and the evil powers of darkness over this present age. • Jesus is never closer than when we face the darkest night and the deepest suffering of our soul. • Applcation -- Allow the Joy of the Lord be our Strength and our Song in the midst of the war.

Joy of Eternal Life — Philippians 1:19-26 -- Feb 6 •Jesus came to redeem all of creation and the whole person — both physically and spiritually — which means Jesus is the source, purpose and pursuit of life itself. [Philippians 1:18-21] •In Christ, to be absent from our mortal bodies is to be present with the Lord. [Philippians 1:22-23] •As long as we have life and breath we will find the greatest joy is serving and glorifying Jesus. [Philippians 1:24-26] •Application -- Live life to the fullest for Christ now, knowing the best is yet to come.

Gratitude of Fellowship Philippians 1 Pastor Randy Lockley 1. Fellowship of SALVATION. • Thinking of the Philippians v. 3 • Praying for the Philippians v. 4 • Joyful over the Philippians v. 4 • Confident about the Philippians v. 6 2. Fellowship of SERVANTHOOD. • Sharing the Gospel v. 5 • Sharing the Grace v. 7 • Sharing the Great Affection v. 8 3. Fellowship of SINCERITY. • Growing Love v. 9 • Godly Lifestyle v. 10 • Glorifying our Lord v. 11

Joy of Perseverance — Philippians 1:12-18 • We discover joy in our trials when we understand that obstacles are actually opportunities to be a gospel witness. [Philippians 1:12-14] • Don’t let hypocrites steal your joy and stop you from serving Jesus. [Philippians 1:15-18] • We must always be prepared to give a defense not only for what we believe but more importantly why we believe it. [Philippians 1:16] As We Go … Consider it joy when you face various trials and always be ready to give an answer for the joy that you have.

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing[e] what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus[f] saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged t

Unspeakable Joy — An Introduction •Paul is remembering the extraordinary beginning of God’s work in Philippi. [Philippians 1:4] •Paul is rejoicing in the privilege to participate and partner in gospel ministry. [Philippians 1:5] •Paul is reassured in God’s promise to always finish what He starts. [ Philippians 1:6] As We Go … Rediscover the joy of serving the Lord Jesus in the most fulfilling work of all! Partnership in the Gospel!

Pressing In and Pressing On to the End — Philippians 3:10-16 * When faced with the uncertainty and difficulty of life, we must be willing to press in to God that much harder. [Philippians 3:10-12] * The only way to overcome the pain and problems of our past is to press on in our daily pursuit of Christ Jesus. [Philippians 3:13-14] * The only way to finish the race and persevere in the faith is to hold on to the eternal truth of God. [Philippians 3:15-16] APPLICATION — As we approach a new year, let us press in harder to God, press on with our eyes fixed upon Jesus and finish well the race of faith!