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Aug 15, 2021

Remember

Remember

Passage: Philippians 1:3-6

Speaker: Rev. Michael Pestel

Series: Joy

Remember by Michael Pestel Philippians 1:3-6

 

A desire for joy in life is not selfish, it is a movement toward what Jesus described as “abundant life, overflowing life.”

Jesus said that was one of the primary reasons for his life on earth, it was to create a pathway for the people of this world to live in fulness. 

 John 10:10 “I have come so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.”

 Happy is connected almost exclusively to feelings, and deeply connected to circumstance. Happy is good, very good.

 Joy is the faithful companion that carries us between the happy moments and through the tough ones. Joy is rooted in a bigger picture, it grows out of belief, it is nurtured by choosing it and posturing my spirit toward it.

 Whether arrested for proclaiming the good news of God in Jesus Christ, or being shipwrecked, or being chased out of town by a mob, Paul is constantly seeking joy while being upfront about facing extraordinarily difficult circumstances. What Paul has discovered is that the joy of the Lord is even more extraordinary.

 Philippians is a letter that is often referred to as “Paul’s letter of joy.” 14 times Paul writes about either joy or gladness. The hardest times are the times when joy must be clung to the hardest.

 “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:3-6)

 Thankfulness - “I thank my God…” 

 Remembering – “…every time I remember you”

 Centering on the work that God is doing – “…constantly praying, our sharing in the gospel, the one who began a good work among you…”

 Looking forward to God’s faithfulness for the future – “…that one will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.”

Who do you remember and give thanks for today?

“Thinking about you today and thanking God for you. I’m so grateful for this thing we shared in, for this way you touched my life. I know that God still has good things in store for you.”

 Remember someone today, do something today, keep the faith that God is still at work, and you’ll find the joy of the Lord as your strength in a very pointed way.

Gracious and joyful Lord, we adore you. Indeed you are a God of glory and lord of love. Let these hearts unfold like flowers before you, opening to the sun above. Fill us with the light of day, in Jesus’ name. Amen.