NEW LIFESTYLE, NEW JOY

Lecture Objectives:

A man had been a missionary many years. Now retired, he returned home. Two days later he has a car crash, ends up in the hospital. The cleaning lady tries to cheer him up and says, "Mr. Ferguson, I'm so sorry you had an accident." "What accident?" he said. "What do you mean, `What accident?' Here you are all bandaged up with a broken leg and arm, and you say, `What accident?'" "Let me tell you something, dear lady," the old missionary said, "Sixty years ago I gave my life to Christ and since that time, nothing has been an accident. What you are looking at in this bed is another incident."

1. INTRODUCTION
   1. The early Christians did not have it easy.
      1. Even Jesus had told them to count the cost.
      2. Matthew 5.44, "Pray for those who persecute you."
      3. John 15.20, "If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you."
      4. 2 Corinthians 4.7f - Read
   2. The early Christians
      1. Persecuted by false rumors
      2. Imprisoned
      3. Beaten
      4. Dragged into courts of law
      5. Sewn in animal skins and thrown to the dogs
      6. Rolled in hot coals mixed with glass
      7. Tied to whipping posts, flogged until unconscious
      8. Suspended on crosses, covered with pitch, set on fire
      9. Many lived underground. Historian said: "It was life underground and death above it."
   3. It would have been easier for them to pull out, settle for less resistance and assimilate with society.
   4. But, something says of them: "They could take it." Listen to these astounding thoughts reflecting their determination:
      1. James 1.2 - Read
      2. 1 Peter 1.6 - Read
      3. Romans 5.3 - Read "Suffering produces--"!
   5. Did you know that "joy" and "happiness" occur 217 times in the New Testament?
      1. In Philippians - 16 times
      2. Read Philippians 4.4
      3. This letter is so amazing: "JOY"
         1. Joy - yet imprisoned
         2. Joy - yet falsely accused by the Jews
         3. Joy - yet sick in his flesh
         4. Joy - yet his freedom had been taken from him
         5. *You don't get even a little glimpse of depression here!
   6. "Joy" to these Bulgarians was not a sudden emotional experience. "Joy" was developed by human effort!
      1. To them "joy" was a state!
      2. A sphere in which they suffered purposely!
2. THE SPECIAL NATURE OF THEIR JOY IS SEEN IN:
   1. Joy in spite of circumstances.
      1. Matthew 5.3ff - Note the word "blessed"
         1. Some translate it "happy"
         2. Latin root word hap - chance
         3. Circumstances produce happiness.
      2. Makarios - `blessed'
         1. Used of Island of Cyprus
         2. Used of the dead
         3. Used of an oasis in the desert
         4. Used of the Greek gods
      3. Thub - unaffected by outside circumstances
         1. All they needed they had!
      4. Happiness cannot be found!
      5. Paul was not a circumstance controlled person - Phil. 4.10-12
      6. Circumstances are constantly changing - but Jesus remains the same - always eager to help us find strength, comfort and joy.
   2. Joy - submitting to the needs of people
      1. Illustration: Father Damion went to Hawaii to work among lepers. They rejected him. He was puzzled by this. They needed his help, but he was not one of them. Years passed. He became ill. Learned he had leperousy. Upon learning this, the other lepers accepted him and he became their strength and leadership.
      2. Four great examples of being submissive to the needs of people:
         1. Christ - Phil. 2.5-11
         2. Paul - Phil. 2.17
         3. Timothy - Phil. 2.19-22
         4. Epaphroditus - Phil. 2.25-30
      3. Note in the four examples the "joy" at putting people first even in difficult circumstances.
   3. Joy - not being attached to the transitory.
      1. "Things" occur 11 times in this chapter.
      2. What do we mean by "things"? Ch.3
         1. Distinction 3.4
         2. Popularity, prestige, prominence, acclaim - 3.18,19
      3. What are you holding on to?
         1. Rich young ruler - Luke 18.18-23
      4. Phil. 3.7 - Accountant's words: "profit" - "loss" - vs. 8
      5. Yet Paul writes "rejoice" - 3.1
   4. Joy - through positive thinking - 4.8
      1. Proverbs 23.7 - "As a man thinks in his heart...."
      2. Read Phil. 4.8f
      3. How can we rejoice if we are always thinking sad ideas?
      4. How can one see God in a bad situation?
         1. Read Romans 8.28
         2. Question: If a man loves God, what will God do for him in every situation?
         3. Read Phil. 1.12-14
         4. What 2 blessings did Paul see?
            1. Advancement of the gospel
            2. Brothers got boldness to preach
         5. Read Phil. 1.15-1
         6. What blessing did Paul see due to his enemies' efforts to accuse him?
3. CLOSURE
   1. Was Paul seen by you as a man of joy?
   2. Was he God controlled or circumstance controlled?
   3. Are there things in your life you thought were an accident, when they quite possibly were an incident?