If you were to list the things that steal your joy what would they be? Many of would say things like money, or the way others treat us, or maybe life not being fair. But in those answers we find a common factor. Our joy is often “stolen” when we are most concerned with the things that affect our lives. When things don’t go how we intended, we feel that we have the right to be upset and be joyless. If we’re honest, we all want our own way. We all want our lives to be smooth and comfortable and anything that threatens that can easily steal our joy and become the enemy. But what if our self-centeredness is the very thing that is preventing us from having unwavering joy in life. In this week’s teaching, we talk about how the way to find continuous joy might be found in choosing to abandon getting our way and instead, have a tender heart towards God and compassionate towards those around us.

PLAY AUDIO ONLY

MESSAGE NOTES

Philippians 2:1-4

Paul says, you know what would be amazing?

Stop focusing so much on yourself.
Stop trying to impress others.

You know what would be even better?

Just pretend others were more important than you.
Just pretend that what matters to them, matters to you.

Do you want to have a different life? Choose a different path!

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” – C.S Lewis

Philippians 2:5-8

Jesus chose obedience to God over the indulgence of his natural cravings, his instincts for self-preservation, and desire for personal gratification.

How? By trusting it would be worth it on the other side.

Why should you put the interests of others above your own, serve those who are selfish, and treat people better than they treat you?

For the same reason. The JOY ON THE OTHER SIDE!

Philippians 2:9-11

Want to know how to get more joy in your world?

Stop being selfish
Stop trying to impress everyone else
Treat others as though they were more important
Care about the things happening in the lives of others
Serve them
Watch how God begins to change you on the inside.

If you were to list the things that steal your joy what would they be? Many of would say things like money, or the way others treat us, or maybe life not being fair. But in those answers we find a common factor. Our joy is often “stolen” when we are most concerned with the things that affect our lives. When things don’t go how we intended, we feel that we have the right to be upset and be joyless. If we’re honest, we all want our own way. We all want our lives to be smooth and comfortable and anything that threatens that can easily steal our joy and become the enemy. But what if our self-centeredness is the very thing that is preventing us from having unwavering joy in life. In this week’s teaching, we talk about how the way to find continuous joy might be found in choosing to abandon getting our way and instead, have a tender heart towards God and compassionate towards those around us.