don mcclain 1 w 65th st church of christ / november 25, 2007

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To Joy

Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To Joy“Much To Say”

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1Pe 1:8)

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1Pe 4:13)

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (1Jn 1:4)

Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To Joy“Paul’s Letter of

Joy”Philippians 1:3-7 (NKJV) 3 I thank my God upon every

remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all

with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will

complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7

just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart,

inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To Joy“Paul’s Letter of

Joy” “Finally, my brethren,

rejoice in the Lord.” (3:1) “Rejoice in Christ

Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (3:3)

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. (4:4)Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To JoyWe Must

Be Partakers of the Gospel of Grace – 1:3-7

Have Optimistic Faith – 1:19-30

Be Humble – 2:1-8 Hold Fast To Christ –

3:1-11 Focus On The Goal –

3:12-4:1 Have Peace – 4:4-9 Be Content – 4:10-13

Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To Joy

There is a DIRECT relationship between God’s grace, (charis), His gift, (charisma) and our joy, (chara) – (Eph 2:8,9; Jn 3:16)

Joy is the product of knowing that we have been saved from being lost – (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Col. 1:23; 1 Cor. 15:58)

We Must Be Partakers of the Gospel of Grace

– 1:3-7

Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To Joy

Both our spiritual progress and joy is dependant upon our faith – (1:25)

The opposite of faith is doubt – which robs us of our joy – but an obedient faith causes joy!! – (1:27-30; 1 Pet 1:8)

Consider the faith of Abraham, (Rom 4:19-23), and how Paul connects “FAITH & HOPE with JOY” (Rom 5:1-5)

We Must Have Optimistic Faith, NOT

Doubt – 1:19-30

Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To Joy

Selfishness & pride destroys joy - - BUT humility brings true blessedness – (Acts 20:35; Mat 5:3)

Selfishness & pride destroys relationships - - BUT Humility promotes unity, harmony & love – (Phili 2:1-4)

Selfishness & pride promotes complaining & disputing - - BUT Humility promotes obedience & sacrifice – (Phili 2:5-8; 12-18)

We Must Be Humble, NOT Proud & Selfish –

2:1-8

Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To Joy

Joy is found in truth, not in error – (vss. 1-9; cf John 8:32)

Joy is found in Christ when we worship God in Spirit , truth & Have no confidence in the flesh – (vss. 3-6; Jn 4:24; 16:13; Rom 8:1,2)

Joy is found in turning from error to Christ – (vss. 7-9)

Joy is found in knowing Christ, and suffering for Him because of the reward – (vss. 10,11;Mat 10:29,30)

We Must Hold Fast To Christ Not Doctrines of

Men– 3:1-11

Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To Joy

How many fail to have joy because they refuse to let go of “those things which are behind?” – (vs 13,14)

Joy is found in – “Press[ing] on” (12)– “Forgetting” (13)- “Reaching Forward” (13) – “Press[ing] Toward the Goal” (14) – “Walk[ing] by the Same Rule” (16,17) –

NOT in “earthly things” – (18,19) - - BUT in heavenly things – (20-4:1)

We Must Press On To The Goal, NOT Hold To The

World – 3:12-4:1

Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To Joy

“Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, and again I will say, rejoice!” – (vs. 4)

Gentleness? – forbearance, meekness in trials – (vs. 5; cf 1:28-30; 1 Pet 1:6,7)

“Be anxious for nothing”– (vs. 6; Mat 10:28; 6:25-33)

Peace – “prayer . . . thanksgiving . . .” . . . and to be spiritually minded, doing what Paul said & did – (6-9)

We Must Have Peace – NOT Anxiousness - 4:4-9

Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To JoyWe Must Learn To Be

Content – NOT Covetous – 4:10-13

Philippians 4:10-13 (NKJV)10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I

am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.

Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all

things through Christ who strengthens me.Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To Joy

“Godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” – (1 Tim 6:6-9, 17-19)

Being content with what we have – for God “will never leave” us or forsake us – (Hebrews 13:5,6)

We Must Learn To Be Content – NOT Covetous

– 4:10-13

Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To Joy“Much To Say”

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1Pe 1:8)

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1Pe 4:13)

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (1Jn 1:4)

Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To Joy“Paul’s Letter of

Joy” “Finally, my brethren,

rejoice in the Lord.” (3:1) “Rejoice in Christ

Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (3:3)

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. (4:4)Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Keys To JoyWe Must

Be Partakers of the Gospel of Grace – 1:3-7

Have Optimistic Faith – 1:19-30

Be Humble – 2:1-8 Hold Fast To Christ –

3:1-11 Focus On The Goal –

3:12-4:1 Have Peace – 4:4-9 Be Content – 4:10-13

Don McClain

W 65th St church of Christ / November 25, 2007

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Don McClain