May 8, 2011
Good Work Wk 2: Joy
Posted by Michael
Learn:
Philippians 4:4-8
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Main Idea:
Paul gives us the command to rejoice in the Lord always. Paul knew about sorrow and pain, yet he did not let his circumstances steal away his joy. How did he do this? By focusing on Jesus. When our desires are fulfilled, it makes our hearts glad. We get glimpses of this in life; spouses and parents are able to endure hard times for the people they love. When Jesus becomes our ultimate desire, He will always fulfill us. The problem is, we have so many worries in this world. Many of these worries are legitimate concerns, but worrying is often, if not always, unhelpful. Rather than worrying about things, we should lay them at the feet of Jesus. After that, it becomes a trust issue. Do we trust that God is “competent” enough to handle all of our struggles? When we believe that God is near, we can put our problems into proper perspective. We become aware that we are ultimately moving toward something that gives us reason to rejoice – we get to be with Jesus forever.
Know What: The secret to finding joy is to desire Jesus more than the things Jesus gives you.
So What: When we give Jesus our worries and anxieties, and really trust that He is willing and able to handle them, the door to joy is opened.
Now What: Don’t ignore your pain, but don’t dwell on it either. Dwell on what is praiseworthy, true, and excellent – Jesus.
Discuss…
1. What is your definition of joy? Is there a difference between joy and happiness?
2. Have you ever considered Paul’s plea to “rejoice in the Lord always” as a command? How difficult is it for you to obey this command? What are some things that steal away your zeal to rejoice?
3. Describe a situation in your life when you were able to endure a difficult circumstance for the sake of someone or something you loved. What circumstances are you willing to endure for Jesus?
4. What are some gifts God has given you that you enjoy? How can you enjoy these things with Him in view rather than simply taking the gifts while leaving Him behind?
5. What are some unfulfilled desires that you currently have? Is your desire for Jesus stronger than those desires? If it is not, there is no need to feel guilty. Instead, think about what you can do to grow in your walk with God and make Him your ultimate desire.
6. Why is it so hard to “be anxious for nothing”? What are some specific things you are anxious and worried about right now? How can these anxious thoughts turn into prayer requests? If you feel moved to, take a moment as a group to lay everyone’s anxieties at the feet of Jesus in prayer.
7. Now that you have given your burdens over to Jesus, do you trust Him to take care of them? If you are having trouble trusting Him, remind yourself of a few ways He has come through for you in the past.
8. What are some praiseworthy, true, and excellent things you can dwell on this week?
Next Steps…
C.S. Lewis said, “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 sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
This week, consider what “mud pies” you have been clinging to and settling for. Pray for the strength and wisdom to not settle for the temporary relief this world has to offer, but rather to seek infinite joy. Ask Jesus what it would look like specifically for you to desire Him above everything else.
