Jesus had risen and he’d promised true, forever life to everyone who put their faith in him. The Apostle Paul knew it was fact. He had encountered Jesus himself and was living out what Christ had promised. Nothing could quench his joy!...Not even damp, cold prison cells. From those dark places, he wrote letters of hope and encouragement! Using the words “joy” and “rejoice” 16 times in Philippians alone, it’s safe to say that is the main theme of his short letter to the church family in Philippi. Paul proved we can be joyful no matter what - this message series will show us how!

Our lives depend on our attitudes. Our attitudes depend on our choices. We’re not talking about positive thinking. We’re talking about acting on Truth. When we know and follow Jesus, he gives us the model for living with joy as we adopt his attitude.

Message Notes

Everyone wants to have joy.
But if we’re not intentional, our joy will get hijacked.

Choosing joy is not choosing to feel a feeling. Joy is an intentional choice to live by the right priorities.

Joy comes from the priority choice of the attitude of Jesus:

Refusing to demand what I think I deserve.

Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He emptied himself of all he had…
Philippians 2:6-7a

Joy comes from the priority choice of the attitude of Jesus:

Letting go of being served.

…instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being…
Philippians 2:7b

Joy comes from the priority choice of the attitude of Jesus:

Becoming humble and obedient.

  …he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Philippians 2:8

The results:

Lifted up to the place of true joy.

Therefore God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name that is above all other names…
Philippians 2:9

Let us run with endurance the race set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Hebrews 12:1-2

The results:

Prioritizing a growing relationship with God.  

Work out the results of your salvation with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Philippians 2:13-14

Not work for. God’s part is to work in me, my part is to work out obedience.

The results:

Changed attitudes in relationships.

Harmony, working together. Philippians 2:2

Unselfishness and humility. Philippians 2:2

 Thinking of others first. Philippians 2:3-4

Ban complaining and arguing. Philippians 2:14-15

Shine in a dark world. Philippians 2:15-16

Faithfully serve without limits. Philippians 2:17

Experiencing joy, no matter the circumstances.

And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice and I will share your joy. Philippians 2:18

 Paul closes by sharing the examples of two men who live like this:

Timothy Philippians 2:19-24

Epaphroditus Philippians 2:25-30

Joy always circles back to choosing the priority relationship with Jesus.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11

Bottom Line

Attitude is everything, and I get to choose it.

Action Steps

1. Identify the joy-draining attitudes in your life.

2. Consciously set a strategy for living in priority relationship with Jesus daily.