“Choose Joy!” – 11.08.2020

November 8, 2020
Download Notes

Choose Joy!

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.  Philippians 2:1-2 NLT

A rhetorical question – a question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer.  

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:3-4 NLT

Not all ambition is selfish ambition, but if it’s about promotion of self it can be.

Conceit – An excessively favorable opinion of one’s own ability, importance, wit, and so forth. 

We can have ambition like Paul to glorify God and serve Him with everything we have. 

CHOOSE TO BE LIKE JESUS.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 NLT

JESUS, THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY!

He gave up the privileges of heaven to redeem that which was lost.

He didn’t give up His deity.

He modeled being humble to the world.

  • He was humble in that He was born into an obscure, oppressed place.
  • He was humble in that He was born into poverty among a despised people.
  • He was humble in submitting to the obedience appropriate to a child in a household.
  • He was humble in the companions and disciples He chose. 
  • He was humble in choosing and submitting to the death of the cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 NLT

JESUS, THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES!

12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12-13 NLT

This is not to work for their salvation in the sense of accomplishing it, but to work out their salvation – to see it evident in every area of their lives, to live it out.

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy. Philippians 2:14-18 NLT

 

Joy – the emotion evoked by the prospect or anticipation of possessing what one desires. Joy is a choice!

When our heart has been wrecked by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our lives are changed forever from the inside out. 

  • When our heart changes, our actions change.
  • When our heart changes, our words change.
  • When our heart changes, our values change.
  • When our heart changes, our focus changes. 

14  “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”  Matthew 5:14-16 NLT

In the last part of the chapter Paul is pointing out what he has seen in the lives of Timothy and Epaphroditus. He sees Jesus in them. He sees faithfulness, and he sees life change.

What do others see in you?

Next steps for today…

  • Choose Jesus
  • Choose to be like Jesus
  • Choose Joy!
Next Steps

Handbook & Welcome Packet

•    The parent must complete the necessary registration forms and pay a non-refundable Annual materials fee. This covers registration fees, book, and materials for class.

•    The parent must provide the center with a pre-school/child immunization certificate, or Blue Slip. This is to be kept updated, if it is not, the center will send out a notice stating that the required immunizations are out dated. The form can be obtained through the health department or your pediatrician.

•    The parent will receive a copy of the policies and procedures and will go over them thoroughly. The parent will sign the Parental Agreement form which indicates policies and procedures and agreed upon fees.

•    All enrollment forms, including a Schedule Information Form, must be completed by the parent and returned to the center by the first day of attendance.

•    Parents of children with special needs or handicaps must inform the director of the child’s condition(s) prior to enrollment so it can be determined if the center can adequately meet the needs of the child. This is necessary for the well being of the child.

Download Handbook