Jesus Our Joy

1
Jesus Our Joy

• Philippians 219-30
• Joy in the
• Service of Christ

2
Psalm 1381-5,7-8 Tune Before the Throne 1/3

• 1 Ill praise you, LORD, with all my heart
• Before the gods Ill sing your praise.
• 2 Ill bow towards your holy place
• And bless your holy name always. 
• Ill praise you for your faithfulness
• And for your covnant love, O LORD,
• For over all things you have raised
• Your holy name and faithful word.
• Your holy name and faithful word.

3
Psalm 1381-5,7-8 Tune Before the Throne 2/3

• 3 The very day I called to you,
• You gave an answer to my plea.
• You made me bold within myself
• With new resolve you strengthened me.
•   4 O LORD, let all earths kings give praise,
• When from your mouth they hear your word.
• 5 Let them extol the ways of God,
• For greats the glory of the LORD.
• For greats the glory of the LORD.

4
Psalm 1381-5,7-8 Tune Before the Throne 3/3
7 Although I walk a troubled path, Your tender
care preserves my life. You raise your hand
against my foes Your right hand saves me from
their strife.   8 The LORD will certainly
fulfil For me the purpose he commands. Your
love endures for ever, LORD Preserve the works
of your own hands. Preserve the works of your
own hands.

5
Childrens Talk Prayer

• A Church for Sleepy-heads?

6
A sleepover!

• To help kids get used to camp!
• To have fun and learn together
• To wake up to worship God!

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Psalm 671-7 (p. 84)

• 1 God be merciful and bless us
• shine upon us with your face,
• 2 That the earth may know your actions
• and all lands your saving grace.

8
Psalm 671-7 (2/4)

• 3 O God, may the peoples praise you
• may all peoples sing your praise.
• 4 For you judge the nations justly,
• ruling over every race.

9
Psalm 671-7 (3/4)

• May they sing with joy and gladness
• may they all rejoice as one.
• 5 O God, may the peoples praise you
• as they all unite in song.

10
Psalm 671-7 (4/4)

• 6 Then the land will yield its harvest
• God will pour his gifts abroad.
• 7 God, our God, will surely bless us
• all the earth will fear our God.

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Scripture ReadingPhilippians 219-30

• Prayers of Intercession

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Philippians 219-30

• 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to
  you soon, that I also may be cheered when I
  receive news about you. 20 I have no one else
  like him, who takes a genuine interest in your
  welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own
  interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But
  you know that Timothy has proved himself, because
  as a son with his father he has served with me in
  the work of the gospel.

13
Philippians 219-30

•   23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I
  see how things go with me. 24 And I am
  confident in the Lord that I myself will come
  soon. 25 But I think it is necessary to send
  back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow
  worker and fellow soldier, who is also your
  messenger, whom you sent to take care of my
  needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is
  distressed because you heard he was ill.

14
Philippians 219-30

• 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God
  had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on
  me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28
  Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so
  that when you see him again you may be glad and I
  may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him in the
  Lord with great joy, and honour men like him, 30
  because he almost died for the work of Christ,
  risking his life to make up for the help you
  could not give me.

15
Psalm 1038-13 (p. 369)

• 8 The LORD our God is merciful,
• and he is gräcious,
• Long-suffering, and slow to wrath,
• in mercy plenteous.

16
Psalm 1038-13 (2/5)

• 9 He will not chide continually,
• nor keep his anger still.
• 10 With us he dealt not as we sinned,
• nor did requite our ill.

17
Psalm 1038-13 (3/5)

• 11 For as the heaven in its height
• the earth surmounteth far
• So great to those that do him fear
• his tender mercies are

18
Psalm 1038-13 (4/5)

• 12 As far as east is distant from
• the west, so far hath he
• From us removèd, in his love,
• all our iniquity.

19
Psalm 1038-13 (5/5)

• 13 Such pity as a father hath
• unto his children dear
• Like pity shows the LORD to such
• as worship him in fear.

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Jesus Our Joy

• Philippians 219-30
• Joy in the
• Service of Christ

21
Philippians 2 tracing the majestic and humble
MIND of Christ in the Church

• At first sight the end of the chapter seems a
  real contrast to the exalted beginning.
• No contrast! First the MODEL (Jesus)
• Then those who are MODEL Christians, Timothy
  and Epaphroditus!

22
James Philip quote

• There is no such thing as disembodied
  consecration, it has to express itself in
  visible, practical ways in the lives we live. Is
  consecration just a doctrine to you, a concept, a
  theory or does it have a body your body?
• (From a Bible Reading at Portstewart Convention,
  Northern Ireland,1981)

23
1 Work it Out!

• We saw That Jesus humbled himself and gave us a
  pattern.
• Alec Motyer Whatever he found in himself to be
  expendable, He spent
• Pauls challenge copy Christ!

24
1 Work it Out!

• Work it OUT because He works it IN!
• 12 as you have always obeyed not only in my
  presence, but now much more in my absence
  continue to work out your salvation with fear and
  trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to
  will and to act according to his good purpose.

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Work it Out Means?

• Be as EVANGELISTIC as Christ!
• Be as SELF-SACRIFICING as Christ!
• Be as OBEDIENT TO THE GOSPEL as Christ!
• If this does not intimidate you you have NOT
  understood it!!!

26
What Work it Out Does NOT Mean!

• NOT working FOR our Salvation!
• Working because God is working.
• Working alongside others like Paul.

27
Work it Out Join the Gospel Workout!

• Relying of Gods Holy Sprit to work.
• No desire? I cant do it?
• How do you know?
• Have you asked God, and relied on his Spirit?

28
What If We Avoid the Gospel Workout?

• Paul has warned us not to waste energy on
  complaints and arguing.
• If we do not live for Christ we will lack joy and
  power.
• Paul Blackham Complaining is the fast-track to
  a wasted life.

29
What if we avoid the Gospel Workout?

• Have we lost the plot?
• We have - if we have lost the gospel workout.
• We are called to SHINE like stars in the
  blackness of night. But How?
• By holding onto (and holding out) the WORD of
  life (v. 16).

30
Work it out Means Shining!

• Those who are wise will shine like the
  brightness of the heavens, and those who lead
  many to righteousness, like the stars for ever
  and ever. Daniel 123

31
Work it out Means Sacrifice!

• Philippians 217 I am being poured out like a
  drink offering on the sacrifice and service
  coming from your faith
• Compare with Exodus 2938-43
• "This is what you are to offer on the altar
  regularly each day two lambs a year old. 39
  Offer one in the morning and the other at
  twilight. 40 With the first lamb offerfine
  flour mixed with oil from pressed olives, and
  wine as a drink offering..

32
Work it out means sacrifice

• Exodus 29 (continued) 41
  Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight with the
  same grain offering and its drink offering as in
  the morning--a pleasing aroma, an offering made
  to the LORD by fire There I will meet you and
  speak to you 43 there also I will meet with the
  Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by
  my glory.

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Work it out means sacrifice

• Sacrifice means GRATITUDE.
• Thank you Lord for MEETING us!
• Lord, help me to hold out the Gospel from Morning
  to Twilight as my thank-offering to you.

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2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!Verses 19-24 (1
Work it Out!)

• Imagine meeting Paul.
• He could ask us, How are you doing
  in the gospel workout?
• How would we answer?
• Oh - Not bad Paul, Ive never had a parking
  ticket or run a red light.

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2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!Verses 19-24 (1
Work it Out!)

• Not bad Paul, I never steal paper-clips from
  the office
• Consider the contrast Paul says he has NO ONE
  else like Timothy. He is working for the gospel
  all the time.

36
2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!Verses 19-24 (1
Work it Out!)

• 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to
  you soon, that I also may be cheered when I
  receive news about you. 20 I have no one else
  like him, who takes a genuine interest in your
  welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own
  interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you
  know that Timothy has proved himself, because as
  a son with his father he has served with me in
  the work of the gospel.

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2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!Verses 19-24 (1
Work it Out!)

• For everyone looks out for his own interests,
  not those of Jesus Christ.
• What are Christs interests in our family,
  workplace, and community?
• Selfish in our Church?

38
2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!Verses 19-24 (1
Work it Out!)

• What is Jesus interested in doing in history
  right now?
• Is that what we are involved in?

39
3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 Work it
Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

• What a name to die for! Vs 25-30
• I think it is necessary to send back to you
  Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and
  fellow soldier whom you sent to take care of my
  needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is
  distressed because you heard he was ill. 27
  Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had
  mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me,
  to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.

40
3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 Work it
Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

• Epaphroditus was from Philippi.
• Brought gifts to Paul (416) and greatly helped
  him.
• But he has to go home (carrying the letter).
  Why?
• Indeed he was ill, and almost died.
• He now misses the Philippians.

41
3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 Work it
Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

• Why was Epaphroditus at deaths door? FOR THE
  GOSPEL!
• Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and
  honour men like him, because he almost died for
  the work of Christ, risking his life to make up
  for the help you could not give me. (29-30)

42
3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 Work it
Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

• Epaphroditus was so involved he neglected his own
  health and welfare.
• Where does Paul rebuke him for this bad
  witness?
• Was this not extreme zeal?

43
3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 Work it
Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

• Just like Jesus, Whatever (Epaphroditus) found
  in himself to be expendable, He spent
• Epaphroditus may make you worry, but love him and
  honour him!

44
3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 Work it
Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

• There was a 19th century Epaphroditus in the City
  of Dundee.
• Robert Murray McCheyne
• He died aged 29, killed by his passion for the
  gospel.

45
3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 Work it
Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

• McCheyne Our Church must not only be
  Evangelical but Evangelistic as well, if she
  would expect the blessing of God. She must not
  only have the light, but also dispense the light
  if she is to be a faithful steward of God.
  (Our Duty to Israel, 1839)

St Peters Dundee
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3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 Work it
Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

• Look at McCheynes sermons. They are either
  the gospel or stirring up the Church to share
  the gospel. How we need to recover this passion.
• Do not conclude such Christians lack balance or
  need to chill out.
• The Church needs to awake!

St Peters Dundee
47
3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 Work it
Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

• The interests of Christ came first for Paul,
  Timothy, Epaphroditus.
• Rico Tice Much better to burn out than to rust
  out for Christ.

Rico Tice
48
Back to the James Philip quote

• There is no such thing as disembodied
  consecration, it has to express itself in
  visible, practical ways in the lives we live. Is
  consecration just a doctrine to you, a concept, a
  theory or does it have a body your body?

49
3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 Work it
Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

• May Christ deliver us from a pointless or a
  fruitless life
• May He help us to bring glory to God as we care
  more and more about the interests of Christ.

50
Psalm 1471-7 (p. 192)

• 1 O praise the LORD! How good it is
• to sing him songs of praise!
• How pleasant to give thanks to him
• for all his gracious ways!

51
Psalm 1471-7 2/5

• 2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem
• and he it is alone
• Who reaches out to Israèl
• to bring the exiles home.

52
Psalm 1471-7 3/5

• 3 He heals his peoples broken hearts,
• restores the bruised and the lame.
• 4 He sets the number of the stars
• and calls them each by name.

53
Psalm 1471-7 4/5

• 5 Great is our Lord and great in power
• his wisdom is profound.
• 6 The LORD sustains the meek, but casts
• the wicked to the ground.

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Psalm 1471-7 5/5

• 7 Sing to the LORD with thankfulness
• with joy his praise proclaim
• And with the music of the harp
• give glory to his name.

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God Calls Us to delight in Christ and to
Share His Hope.