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Finding Joy and Hope in Trials: Lessons from Philippians
Sermon Summary
In today's sermon, Dorothy emphasises that true joy comes from living in the good news of Jesus' salvation, encouraging us to repent, believe, and follow Him daily through prayer, scripture, and reflection, as we embrace the reality of God's kingdom in our lives.
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In today's message, we explore the profound joy that comes from living in the good news of Jesus Christ. This joy is not dependent on our circumstances but is rooted in the salvation and eternal life offered through Jesus. We began by reflecting on the joy described by Paul in Philippians, emphasising that Jesus has brought God's kingdom to the world, rescuing us from sin and death. This is the foundation of our joy, and it invites us to live in the reality of our salvation daily.
To experience this joy, we must first repent, acknowledging our need for grace, and believe in the truth of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Following Jesus involves learning about Him through the Bible, with the book of Mark being a recommended starting point. As we immerse ourselves in the Word, our circumstances no longer dictate our joy, for Jesus holds us up, allowing us to dance in joy even when life makes us stagger.
We also examined the humility and obedience of Jesus, as described in Philippians 2, and how we are called to emulate His mindset. This involves living with humility, submission, and a heart for serving others. Our King, Jesus, loves, accepts, and redeems us, valuing us beyond any pain or suffering. This is the good news of great joy that we are called to live out daily.
To cultivate this joy, we must establish intentional habits: meditating on God's promises, choosing His presence through prayer, and pausing to reflect on His work in our lives. These practices help us to remain present with Jesus, ensuring that we are not swayed by the world's brokenness. By living in the reality of God's kingdom, we declare His goodness and sovereignty every day, trusting that He will renew our strength and bring us joy.
Key Takeaways
1. Living in the Good News: Embrace the joy that comes from the salvation and eternal life offered through Jesus. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the reality of God's kingdom. Reflect on whether you are living in the good news of your salvation daily.
2. Repent, Believe, Follow: To experience true joy, we must repent, acknowledging our need for grace, believe in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, and follow Him by learning from the Bible. This journey transforms our lives and allows us to experience joy beyond our circumstances.
3. Emulating Jesus' Mindset: Adopt the mindset of Jesus, characterised by humility, obedience, and a heart for serving others. This mindset leads to a life of joy and fulfillment, as we align ourselves with God's will and purpose.
4. Intentional Habits for Joy: Establish daily habits of meditating on God's promises, choosing His presence through prayer, and reflecting on His work in your life. These practices cultivate a deep and lasting joy that defies the brokenness of the world.
5. Trusting in God's Sovereignty: Trust in the sovereignty and goodness of God, knowing that He will renew your strength and bring you joy. By living in the reality of His kingdom, you declare His goodness and experience the joy of His presence every day.
Daily Hope Devotionals
Day 1: Joy Rooted in Salvation
Scripture:
Romans 14:17
'For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
The joy that believers experience is not contingent upon their external circumstances but is deeply rooted in the salvation, citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven, and eternal life offered through Jesus Christ. This joy is a profound gift that comes from understanding and living in the reality of God's kingdom, which Jesus has brought into the world.
Jesus has rescued us from sin and death, providing a foundation for joy that transcends life's challenges. This joy invites believers to live daily in the reality of their salvation, embracing the good news of Jesus Christ.
Reflection:
How can you remind yourself today that your joy is rooted in the eternal life and salvation offered by Jesus, rather than in your current circumstances?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus. Help me to truly embrace the good news of my salvation today. May my focus be on You, so that I can find joy regardless of my circumstances. Amen
Day 2: The Journey of Repentance and Belief
Scripture:
Acts 3:19
'Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11..
Devotional:
To experience true joy, believers must embark on a journey of repentance, acknowledging their need for grace, and believing in the truth of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. This journey involves learning from the Bible, with the book of Mark being a recommended starting point.
As believers immerse themselves in the Word, they find that their circumstances no longer dictate their joy, for Jesus sustains them, allowing them to experience joy even amidst life's challenges. This transformative journey invites believers to follow Jesus, experiencing a joy that surpasses their circumstances.
Reflection:
What specific steps can you take today to deepen your understanding of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, and how might this transform your experience of joy?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I thank You for this reminder of what You have done for me through Your life, death, and resurrection. I pray that You would help me to continually repent, seeking Your grace, so that I can grow in my connection to You. I rejoice that You wipe away my sins and have saved me for eternal life! Amen
Day 3: Emulating the Mindset of Christ
Scripture:
Philippians 2:3-4
'Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
Believers are called to adopt the mindset of Jesus, characterised by humility, obedience, and a heart for serving others. This mindset, as described in Philippians 2, leads to a life of joy and fulfillment, as believers align themselves with God's will and purpose.
By emulating Jesus' humility and obedience, believers can experience a joy that is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in their relationship with God. This mindset invites believers to live with humility, submission, and a heart for serving others, reflecting the love and acceptance of Jesus.
Reflection:
In what ways can you practice humility and service today, emulating the mindset of Christ in your interactions with others?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to be more like You today. Humbly offering service to others and reflecting the love and acceptance that You give me to them. Please help me to let go of my insecurities and selfishness to put You and other first. Amen.
Day 4: Cultivating Joy Through Intentional Habits
Scripture:
Psalms 1:1-2
'Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
To cultivate a deep and lasting joy, believers must establish intentional habits such as meditating on God's promises, choosing His presence through prayer, and reflecting on His work in their lives. These practices help believers remain present with Jesus, ensuring that they are not swayed by the brokenness of the world.
By living in the reality of God's kingdom, believers declare His goodness and sovereignty every day, trusting that He will renew their strength and bring them joy. These intentional habits serve as a foundation for experiencing joy that defies the challenges of the world.
Reflection:
What specific habit can you start today to intentionally cultivate joy in your life, and how will you incorporate it into your daily routine?
Prayer:
Lord God, I declare Your sovereignty and goodness! I trust that You will grow me in my faith and joy as I commit to intentionally cultivating practices of meditation, prayer, and reflection. Thank You that You are holy and worthy of my devotion and focus. Amen.
Day 5: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
Scripture:
Proverbs 3:5-6
'Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
Believers are called to trust in the sovereignty and goodness of God, knowing that He will renew their strength and bring them joy. By living in the reality of God's kingdom, believers declare His goodness and experience the joy of His presence every day. This trust in God's sovereignty invites believers to live with confidence, knowing that God is in control and that His plans are for their ultimate good. By embracing this trust, believers can experience a joy that is not shaken by the uncertainties of life but is anchored in the assurance of God's love and faithfulness.
Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you need to trust in God's sovereignty more fully, and how can you take a step towards surrendering it to Him today?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I surrender to You and Your presence right now. I pray God that You would continue to prompt me to areas that I have not fully surrendered to You. I lift them to You now and ask that You would show me Your will in all my plans, that my path may be in line with Yours. Amen
Day 6: Joy as an act of Defiance
Scripture:
Psalms 51:12-13
'Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. 'https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
Joy is not just a feeling; it’s a powerful act of defiance against the struggles and chaos of life. In a world that often feels heavy with burdens, choosing joy is a radical statement of faith.
When life makes us stagger, we can still dance with joy because King Jesus is holding us up. Let’s declare His goodness every day and trust that He will work all things for our good. May we experience the joy of our salvation in every moment.
Ask God to restore the joy of your salvation if you're struggling with joy.
Reflection:
Meditate on Psalm 51:12-13
How will you choose to be joyful today? What part of your life needs the defiance of joy?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may the joy of my salvation shine brightly in a world that is in desperate need of joy. I choose to step into Your joy today Lord and be a light to those who need You, in spite of my circumstances. Thank You Lord that You have the victory. Amen.
Day 7: Joy from Meditating on God's Promises
Scriptures:
Philippians 4:8
'And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Psalms 119:10-12
'I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O Lord ; teach me your decrees. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
Joy is not just a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated assurance in our hearts.
To experience joy, we need to meditate on God's promises daily. Psalm 119 reminds us to hide His word in our hearts so we may not sin against Him. It is important to read the Bible and apply its truths to our lives. When we meditate on His promises, we anchor ourselves in His truth, allowing His goodness to shape our thoughts and actions.
Reflection:
How can you meditate on God's word to hide it in your heart?
What key scripture is God prompting you to focus on for your day/season?
Prayer:
Gracious God, I thank You that You bring life through Your word. Please help me to hide that word in my heart. Open my mind and heart to hear and remember your scriptures so that I can find joy in any moment. Lord may my life be deeply embedded in You. Amen.
