There Is Joy in the Jailhouse
June 8, 2008
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Text: Philippians 1:12-18
Grandma, Grandpa; sit in story - “Joy in faces and voices because of a cause”
Joy in their jailhouse experience
You can have even a greater joy!
God wants us shackled with the joy of the jailhouse! Define this joy!
You can live shackled by the chains of Joy!
How do I live shackled by the chains of joy?
1) Rejoice in your story!
V12-15 - Your life’s experiences matter now!
A) “what’s happened” - Paul got saved! He touched me! Never the same again!
Jesus happened!! REJOICE!
B) “served to advance” - God is working in and through Him! Daniel Boone – Irony
I’m involved in God’s great work - REJOICE!
C) “As a result . . .” I’m known! Clarity in your Christianity! Influential!
I become a force of positive influence for Jesus! REJOICE!
Realize your story! God is making, molding, and using you for His purpose and plan!
”Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. “ - James 1:2-3
Me and Grandma Z - Jesus is against sectarianism - Breaking into little camps of doctrine? Competition for being right is wrong! This ruins Christianity and robs joy!
Cooperation?
2) Rejoice in God’s story
V15-18 - There are two camps - competitors and cooperators -but there is one contention!
“ The virtue lies in the Gospel not the gospeller, in the exposition not the expounder.” - John Edie
A) As long as God’s story is declared that’s all that matters!! TVC – competition
The important thing! V18 - CHRIST IS PREACHED!!
B) God’s love Story!
”Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:12
The Name of Jesus - rejoice! The person of Jesus - rejoice! The death of Jesus - rejoice! The resurrection of Jesus - rejoice! Rejoice in God’s story!
Conclusion
Casey at the bat - or the Alamo - or hospital visit where Man thought of Jehovah-Sabaoth - Live shackled by the chains of Joy!
Rejoice in your story! God is working in, through, and with you. Rejoice in God’s story! What great love is this! Put on the chains today and impact this world for eternity!