June 16- 17, 2007 THE REAL SECRET! Philippians 4: 4- 7, Selected

THE REAL SECRET OF JOY!

(Senior Pastor Roger Storms)

*** 1 Cor. 2:7 “No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.” [NIV]

1 Tim. 3:9 “With a clear conscience they must follow the secret of the faith that God made known to us.” [New Century Version]

*** John 15:11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” [NIV]

Joy begins with Jesus!

*** Col. 2:2b-3 “I want them to have full confidence because they have complete understanding of God's secret plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” [NLT]

*** Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [New International Version]

THE REAL SECRET OF JOY COMES BY HAVING:

1. A REJOICING HEART!
*** Phil. 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” [NIV]

*** 1 Thes. 5:16-18 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” [NIV]

To REJOICE is your CHOICE!

The Key to Rejoicing: “in the Lord!”

“Your joy isn’t determined by what is going on around you but what has gone on inside of you!”

*** Neh. 8:10b “Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!" [New Living Translation]

2. A GENTLE SPIRIT!
*** Phil. 4:5 “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” [NIV]

• Gentleness is Strength Under Control!

• Gentleness is Non-Combative! - 1 Peter 2:23 “[Jesus] did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.” [NLT]

• Gentleness is Compassionate! - Eph. 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” [NIV]

• Gentleness is Christ-like! - 1 Peter 3:4 “You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” [NLT]

My Greatest Joy is for People to See Christ in My Life!

“If you have no joy, there’s a leak in your Christianity.” - Billy Sunday

3. AN UN-ANXIOUS ATTITUDE!
*** Phil. 4:6a “Do not be anxious about anything….” [NIV]

“Worry, like a rocking chair, will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.” – Vance Havner

“Worry is the warning light that I really don’t trust God in my life at this particular moment. Because worry says that God is not big enough to handle my troubles!”

*** 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” [NIV]

4. A PRAYER-FILLED LIFESTYLE!
*** Phil. 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” [NIV]

Looking at everything from God’s perspective!

*** Col. 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” [NIV]

A Prayer-filled Heart is a Thankful Heart and a Thankful Heart is a Joy-Filled Heart!

*** Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation….” [NIV]

5. A PEACE-FILLED MIND!
*** Phil. 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [NIV]

"It’s a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people are the Christians—and I am one of them." -- Jerome (c. 340–420)