SURPRISED BY JOYFUL RELATIONSHIPS (1 OF 14)
by Steve Jones
Scripture: Philippians 1
This content is part of a series.
Surprised by Joyful Relationships (1 of 14)
Series: Surprised by Joy
Steve Jones
Philippians 1
INTRODUCTION: Today I'm starting a sermon series entitled ''Surprised by Joy.'' I figure we could all use a little more joy in our lives so I'm going to begin each of these messages with a funny.
ILLUS: A new preacher was visiting in the homes of his members. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote 'Revelation 3:20' on the back of it and stuck it in the door. Rev. 3:20 begins, ''Behold, I stand at the door and knock.'' When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, 'Genesis 3:10.' Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he read, 'I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked.'
Surprised by joy. That is also the title of a book by 20th Century Christian apologist C.S. Lewis. In the book he tells of the surprising path he travelled in his transition from atheism to the joy of Christian faith. Lewis said, ''It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.''
One of the dominant themes of the book of Philippians is joy. Forms of the word joy occur in 15 of the letters 104 verses. Paul wrote this letter from prison to a congregation that was living in extreme poverty. And yet, the letter is full of faith, hope, confidence and joy. What are the contributors to joy revealed in Philippians? The first that we're going to look at today is relationships; but not just ANY relationships. According to Paul, we need relationships ...
Series: Surprised by Joy
Steve Jones
Philippians 1
INTRODUCTION: Today I'm starting a sermon series entitled ''Surprised by Joy.'' I figure we could all use a little more joy in our lives so I'm going to begin each of these messages with a funny.
ILLUS: A new preacher was visiting in the homes of his members. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote 'Revelation 3:20' on the back of it and stuck it in the door. Rev. 3:20 begins, ''Behold, I stand at the door and knock.'' When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, 'Genesis 3:10.' Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he read, 'I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked.'
Surprised by joy. That is also the title of a book by 20th Century Christian apologist C.S. Lewis. In the book he tells of the surprising path he travelled in his transition from atheism to the joy of Christian faith. Lewis said, ''It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.''
One of the dominant themes of the book of Philippians is joy. Forms of the word joy occur in 15 of the letters 104 verses. Paul wrote this letter from prison to a congregation that was living in extreme poverty. And yet, the letter is full of faith, hope, confidence and joy. What are the contributors to joy revealed in Philippians? The first that we're going to look at today is relationships; but not just ANY relationships. According to Paul, we need relationships ...
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