Pastor Scott Applegate
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:1-11 NIV
Joy is happiness of the soul. It is not produced by circumstances or feelings, but is produced by the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s word. Joy is an attitude of the heart and a by-product of faith.
How to have and keep an attitude of joy:
- Start with the right foundations
“…if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Vs. 1-2
- Encouragement from being connected to Jesus
- Comfort from His love
- Fellowship with the Holy Spirit
- Reciprocating that love to others
- Make the right attitude choices
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Vs. 3-4
“People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.” John Maxwell
- Pride blocks joy in our life
- Humility brings joy into our life
- Say no to selfish ambition
- Say no to vain conceit
- Say yes to the importance and interests of others
- Imitate the right example
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset (attitude) as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Vs. 5-11
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 NIV
- He laid down His rights
- He served
- He was obedient to the Father
- He was exalted
“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NIV
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 NIV