The Joy of Faith in Christ

1. Read: Philippians 1:19-26

2. About the Text:

1) The book of Philippians is about Christian Joy.

2) Joy is mentioned in every chapter of the book.

3) We must have faith in Christ to have that joy.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:19-21)

2. Paul was imprisoned awaiting trial by Caesar.

1) He was confident that he would be delivered.

2) This was through . . .

a. Prayer

b. Supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ

3. He was not going to be ashamed of the gospel.

1) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

2) He would magnify Christ in his body.

3) This would either be through life or death.

4. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

1) Paul trusted his life to Christ entirely.

2) He was willing to put his life on the line for Jesus.

3) “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

5. We must have faith to trust in Christ like Paul did.

1) We must be a praying people (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

2) We must let the Spirit of Jesus Christ supply us (Galatians 5:25).

3) We need to magnify (enlarge Christ) in our lives.

4) We must identify our lives with Christ (Galatians 3:27).

5) We must not fear death (Matthew 10:28).

6. Trusting Christ brings joy.

1. “But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1:22-23).

2. Living in the flesh meant fruit from his labor.

1) He was an minister for Christ to the gentiles (Romans 15:16).

2) He preached the gospel and brought many to Christ.

3) God wants us to bring others to Christ to populate heaven (Matthew 28:18-20).

4) This entailed his continued life in the flesh, which was hard.

3. Paul’s desire was to be with Christ in eternity.

1) Being with Christ meant an end of labor (Hebrews 4:10).

2) Being with Christ meant an end of suffering (Revelation 21:4).

3) Being with Christ meant an end of persecution (Revelation 21:8).

4) For these reasons, Paul wanted to be with Christ.

5) He desired to be in the presence of Christ.

6) “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

4. Do we desire Christ?

1) Paul evangelized because he desired Christ.

2) He preached the gospel because he desired Christ.

3) He suffered because he desired Christ.

4) Do we desire Christ as much as Paul did?

5) “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).

5. Christ was the source of Paul’s joy.

1) “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).

2) We must have faith to desire Christ regardless of what happens.

3) We must live for Christ.

4) We must evangelize for Christ.

5) We must suffer for Christ.

6. Desiring Christ brings joy.

1. “Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again” (Philippians 1:24-26).

2. Paul worked for Christ.

1) His work of preaching Christ was needful for the church.

2) He cared for all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28).

3) Paul taught the same thing everywhere he went (1 Corinthians 4:17).

4) Are we working for Christ?

5) “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be?” (1 Corinthians 12:18-19).

3. His work was for the progress and joy of faith.

1) He knew that faith came by hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).

2) He understood that faith in Christ brought joy.

3) Do we understand this connection?

4) Are we joyful in our faith?

5) “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

6) “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).

4. We need to work for Christ also.

1) To have that full joy.

2) “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:4).

5. Working for Christ brings joy.

1. Faith brings joy when we …

1) Trust Christ

2) Desire Christ

3) Work for Christ

2. Invitation