‘Real Joy – Part 1’ – 6.4.2023

June 4, 2023
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REAL JOY COMES SO MUCH EASIER WHEN WE HAVE A HEART FILLED WITH THANKFULNESS.

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:3-6 NLT

 

  • And the story isn’t over if the story isn’t good. Failure’s never final when the Father’s in the room.  Corey Asbury, “The Father’s House”
  • Our story is our testimony.
  • God is at work teaching, convicting, revealing, and blessing until our last breath.

 

REAL JOY COMES SO MUCH EASIER WHEN OUR HEARTS ARE FILLED WITH LOVE.

7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:7-11 NLT

  • Paul loved people.
  • Paul loved the church.
  • God loves righteous character.
  • Character is who you are when no one else is around.

 

REAL JOY COMES WITH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, GOD’S GOOD NEWS.

12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. 15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. 19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.  Philippians 1:12-19 NLT

  • Paul didn’t waste the hurt or the opportunity.
  • Even though he was in chains he found a way to share the Gospel.
  • The Gospel of Jesus Christ is our hope and should bring us joy when it’s shared, preached, and proclaimed.

 

REAL JOY COMES WHEN WE MAKE IT ABOUT GOD’S KINGDOM AND NOT ABOUT OUR WANTS.

20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.  

24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. 25 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. 26 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 1:20-26 NLT

 

25 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. Philippians 1:25 NLT

 

  • Real Joy comes in and through Discipleship.
  • Real joy comes as I’m sharing my testimony.
  • Real Joy comes as I’m doing life in community.
  • Life Group is a great place for all of these.
  • Real Joy is being in a right relationship with God the Father by faith in Jesus Christ.

 

Next steps for me today…

  • I want to surrender my life to Jesus.
  • I will share my testimony.
  • I will join a Life Group.

 

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.

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