How to Maintain Your Joy (Unlock Joy PT 4)
What is holding you back from unlocking your joy?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Read Philippians 3:1-11 (NLT)
Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.
Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!
I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
1. RESIST LEGALISTIC ATTITUDES
VS.2-3 (GN)
“Watch out for those who do evil, those dogs, men who insist on cutting the body, …we worship God by his Spirit, and rejoice in our life in Christ Jesus. We do not put any trust in external ceremonies.”
SAFEGUARD #1: LIVE EACH DAY BY GRACE
YOU KNOW YOU’RE BEING LEGALISTIC WHEN YOU START TRUSTING IN…
- Rituals
- Race
- Religion
- Rules
- Reputation
Romans 14:17
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
2. REEVALUATE YOUR ACTIVITIES
VS.7-8
“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ…”
SAFEGUARD #2: KEEP YOUR PRIORITIES IN PERSPECTIVE!
LUKE 12:15
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed. A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
III. REFOCUS YOUR AMBITIONS
VS.10
“I want to KNOW Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death.”
VS.10a Amp
“For my determined purpose is that I may KNOW Christ- that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more strongly and more clearly…”
SAFEGUARD #3: GET TO KNOW JESUS BETTER & BETTER
3 WAYS TO GROW IN KNOWING GOD
- TIME
- TALK
JOHN 16:24
“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and your joy will be complete.”
- TRUST
How have you been losing your joy?
- LEGALISM
- MATERIALISM
- A LIFE WITHOUT PURPOSE
Your Generosity Makes a Difference – Support the Vision of Restoration with 1 Click!
Are you a Frequent Listener to the Restoration Podcast? Say Hey!
