"Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind." (Philippians 2:2)
We all want to be happy and we all search for happiness. Many people spend their lives searching for that one thing, that one person, that one job that will make them happy. Some find happiness in positive things, like family, charity, or even work. Some turn to drugs, sex, and crime to try to fulfill their longings, although they only get fleeting satisfaction - and then the inevitable emptiness that always follows sinful pursuits. In the end, all of these things fall short of fulfilling the lifelong desire of happiness.
Christians have access to the only source of lasting happiness: Christ. In fact, when we become Christians, we gain more then happiness; we get "joy inexpressible and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8). Paul writes to the church of Philippi to encourage them in their faith and to describe the many ways they can find this joy in the Lord. This book explains the mindset, attitude, and outlook the believer must have if he or she is going to experience the joy of the Lord in a troubled world. At least 19 times in these four chapters Paul mentions joy, rejoicing, or gladness.
When he thought of the Philippian believer, it brought a smile to his face (Philippians 1:3-4). When he thought of his potential death (which could have taken place in the prison from which he wrote this letter), this joy remained (Philippians 1:21-25). When he encouraged them to work together in unselfish harmony, his own joy was intensified as they envisioned that very thing happening (Philippians 2:1-2). When he mentioned sending a friend to visit them, he urged them to receive him joyfully (Philippians 2:28-29). The apostle really laid out the bottom line of the letter in Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"
Christians have access to the only source of lasting happiness: Christ. In fact, when we become Christians, we gain more then happiness; we get "joy inexpressible and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8). Paul writes to the church of Philippi to encourage them in their faith and to describe the many ways they can find this joy in the Lord. This book explains the mindset, attitude, and outlook the believer must have if he or she is going to experience the joy of the Lord in a troubled world. At least 19 times in these four chapters Paul mentions joy, rejoicing, or gladness.
When he thought of the Philippian believer, it brought a smile to his face (Philippians 1:3-4). When he thought of his potential death (which could have taken place in the prison from which he wrote this letter), this joy remained (Philippians 1:21-25). When he encouraged them to work together in unselfish harmony, his own joy was intensified as they envisioned that very thing happening (Philippians 2:1-2). When he mentioned sending a friend to visit them, he urged them to receive him joyfully (Philippians 2:28-29). The apostle really laid out the bottom line of the letter in Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"
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