Philippians 1:25-26
“Joy in Your Faith”
The Joy of Faith & Contending for the Good News
“Since I am sure of this, I know I will stay with you to help you grow and have joy in your faith. You will be very happy in Christ Jesus when I am with you again.” – Philippians 1:25-26 NCV
What do we learn?
1. Jesus brings joy.
Cultivate joy by receiving God’s gracious freedom from sin. (series March 10-31, 2024)
Joy – the emotion evoked by well-being and contentment, great happiness, cheerful
“Since I am sure of this, I know I will stay with you to help you grow and have joy in your faith. You will be very happy in Christ Jesus when I am with you again.” – Philippians 1:25-26 NCV
Sin – to act contrary to the will and law of God, to miss the goal of God’s image and designed purpose, moral failure, desires and selfish urges to act or our own benefit at the expense of others
Grace – undeserved favorable kindness, gift given with delight,
“God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.” – Romans 5:20 NLT
Saved – to experience divine salvation, rescue from punishment, removing moral guilt, giving new spiritual life
“Saved by his life,” – Romans 5:10 CSB
2. We can grow in our faith and the joy Jesus brings.
“Since I am sure of this, I know I will stay with you to help you grow and have joy in your faith. You will be very happy in Christ Jesus when I am with you again.” – Philippians 1:25-26 NCV
“Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” – Philippians 1:25-26 ESV
“Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.” – Philippians 1:25-26 NLT
The joyful spiritual growth of our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is a first priority invitation from God for our participation…”taking next steps in following Jesus”.
The Holy Spirit inspires Paul to write to the Roman believers about everyday life…”It’s not about this (fussing over the minor issues of a ‘spiritual lifestyle’, no, it’s about…” “The Kingdom of God is a life of goodness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 14:17
3. We are invited to take joy in and to participate in the growing Jesus Movement.
“Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.” – Philippians 1:25-26 NLT
Examples of partnering with Paul in the Gospel in many ways:
“partnership in the gospel” – Philippians 1:5
“partakers with me of grace” – Philippians 1:7
“through your prayers” – Philippians 1:14-19
“striving side by side for the faith” – Philippians 1:27
“served with me in the gospel” – Philippians 2:22
“my brother, and fellow worker, and fellow soldier” – Philippians 2:25
“join in imitating me” – Philippians 3:17
“labored side by side with me” – Philippians 4:3
“partnership with me in giving and receiving” – Philippians 4:15