OVERVIEW

This series is based in 1 John and the book asks us to wrestle with a couple of main topics:

• Do we know who the real Jesus is?
• Have we accepted Him as Savior and Lord?

LAST WEEK we asked, “Are you sure you received the right Jesus?” (1 John 1:1-4)

THIS WEEK we are talking about joy as we look specifically at verse 4 – We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

• The idea is that as we learn who Jesus is, it causes us to have fellowship with God AND fellowship with his people. This is what makes our joy complete.
• Because people have an incomplete view of what biblical joy looks like, there is confusion when people read a verse like: James 1:2 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
• We all go through hard things. Yet Paul tells us, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

Questions we have regarding always being joyful:

1) “Whatabout_________________________?

• • Sorrow is real. Jesus told us there would be trials and sorrow.
  • Where we tend to be short-sighted is the belief that the only way to have joy is to get rid of all sorrow.

2) Another question when talking about biblical joy is the reality of ____________________________.

Philippians 4:6 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything…

• According to Philippians 4:6 we are not supposed to be anxious – for anything.

“The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional.” Anxious for Nothing, Max Lucado

•  We get to choose our perspective. The question is – “Where do we look for joy?”
  • The joy of the world is temporary and unfulfilling. It doesn’t fill us with what we desire most – a love relationship with our Creator.
• The joy of the Lord is different – it is based in eternity. (Hebrews 12:2)
• Joy is a choice.

“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.” – Kay Warren, Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn’t Enough.

• • “Are you sure you know who God is?”
  • Our struggle with joy, peace and trusting God comes from forgetting that God is ____________________________, and God is __________________________________.

Psalm 117:1-2 (NLT) Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you peoples of the earth. 2For his unfailing love for us is powerful; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord!

• Paul had an accurate view of who God is. It’s why he could write Philippians from jail.
• Philippians 4 isn’t just a commentary on joy. It’s a lesson in how to have joy in your life.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

• • Prayer is to help us during our circumstances, not necessarily to change them.

“It has been found that 12 minutes of daily focused prayer over an 8-week period can change the brain to such and extent that it can be measured on a brain scan.” – Dr. Caroline Leaf, Switch on Your Brain

• Philippians 4:8 ends with telling us what we should spend our time thinking about. We tend to act in life based on our strongest thoughts. (Romans 8:5-6)
• _________________________________________ is our greatest weapon against anxiety and a lack of joy.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

APPLICATION

• Establish a regular pattern of thankfulness – HABIT STACKING.
• Make a God box.
• Take the 12-minute a day prayer challenge.
• Have people in your life to help you with this.