Nine - Joy [Notes]

What kind of person are you becoming? Real transformation isn't about trying harder—it's about letting the Holy Spirit work in your life. Nine is a nine-week journey through the fruit of the Spirit discovering how God grows qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, and more in those who follow Jesus. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.
— Galatians 5:22-23 (CSB)

Philippians is personal and practical in its tone and teaching. Paul emphasized the need for believers to rejoice in Christ. “Joy” (chara) is used four times (Phil. 1:4, 25; 2:2; 4:1); “rejoice” (chairō) occurs eight times (1:18 [twice]; 2:17–18; 3:1, 4:4 [twice], 10); and “glad” occurs thrice (2:17–18, 28).
— Dr. Robert Lightner, The Bible Knowledge Commentary

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.
— Philippians 1:1-11 (CSB)

I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
— Philippians 1:3-6 (CSB) [Emphasis added]

Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.
— Philippians 1:27a (CSB) [Emphasis added]

 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.
— Philippians 2:1-4 (CSB) [Emphasis added]

Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
— Philippians 2:19-21 (CSB) [Emphasis added] 

Instead of concentrating on self, each believer should be concerned for the interests of others in the household of faith. Preoccupation with oneself is sin.
— Dr. Robert Lightner, The Bible Knowledge Commentary

So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and
crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.
— Philippians 4:1 (CSB) [Emphasis added] 

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
— Philippians 4:10-13 (CSB) [Emphasis added]

Paul said he could do everything - including handling poverty and living in abundance - through Him who gave him strength. This was not an expression of pride in his own abilities but a declaration of the strength provided by Christ.
— Dr. Robert Lightner, The Bible Knowledge Commentary

I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.
— Luke 15:7 (CSB) [Emphasis added] 

I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
— John 15:11 (CSB)  [Emphasis added] 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
— Romans 15:13 (CSB)  

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House Of The Lord // So Much // Trust In God // Yes I Will 

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