Philippians

4: 4-7
Philippians 4
4 Rejoice in the Lord
always. I will say it again:
Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be
evident to all. The Lord is
near.
Philippians 4
6 Do not be anxious about
anything, but in every
situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to
God.
Philippians 4
7 And the peace of God,
which transcends all
understanding, will guard
your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.
The Joy-Stealers
Introduction
The Joy-Stealers
Introduction
Mark Twain
The Joy-Stealers
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Mark Twain was a professional
humorist whose lectures and writings
made people around the world laugh
and, for a short time, forget their
troubles. Yet Mark Twain himself was,
in private a man whose life was
broken by sorrow. When his beloved
daughter Jean died suddenly of an
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epileptic seizure, Twain, too ill to go
to the funeral, said to a friend, I have
never greatly envied any- one but the
dead. I always envy the dead.
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Introduction
epileptic seizure, Twain, too ill to go
to the funeral, said to a friend, I have
never greatly envied any- one but the
dead. I always envy the dead.
The Joy-Stealers
Introduction
Jesus Christ was a Man of Sorrows
and acquainted with grief. Yet He
possessed a deep joy that was beyond
anything the world could offer.
As He faced the cruel death of
Calvary, Jesus said to His followers,
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"These things have I spoken unto
you, that My joy might remain in you,
and that your joy might be full" (John
15:11).
Those who have trusted Christ have
the privilege of experiencing "fulness
of joy (Ps. 16:11).
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Ps. 16:11
11 You make known to me the
path of life; you will fill me
with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your
right hand.
The Joy-Stealers
Introduction
Ps. 16:11
11 You make known to me the
path of life; you will fill me
with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your
right hand.
The Joy-Stealers
Introduction
Ps. 16:11
11 You make known to me the
path of life; you will fill me
with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your
right hand.
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Introduction
Yet, few Christians take advantage of
this privilege.
They live under a cloud of
disappointment when they could be
walking in the sunshine of joy.
What has robbed them of their joy?
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Introduction

The answer to that important

question is found in a letter
written centuries ago. It was
written by the Apostle Paul
when he was a prisoner in
Rome about A.D. 62;
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and it was sent to his fellow

Christians at the church in
Philippi, a church Paul had
founded on his second
missionary journey (Acts 16).
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One of their members, Epaphroditus,
had been sent to Rome to bring a
special offering to the apostle and to
help him in his time of difficulty (Phil.
2:25-30; 4:10-20).
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Phil. 2:25-30
25 But I think it is necessary to send
back to you Epaphroditus, my brother,
co-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.
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Phil. 2:25-30
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.
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Phil. 2:25-30
29 So then, welcome him in the Lord
with great joy, and honor people like
him, 30 because he almost died for
the work of Christ. He risked his life
to make up for the help you
yourselves could not give me.
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Phil. 4:10-20
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed,
you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this
because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned
the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me
strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians
know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from
Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving,
except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than
once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be
credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough.
I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.
They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God
will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Joy-Stealers
Introduction
Paul's letter to the Philippian church
is something of a missionary thank-
you letter, but it is much more than
that. It is the sharing of Paul's
secret of Christian joy! At least
19 times in these four chapters, Paul
mentions joy, rejoicing, or gladness!
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The unusual thing about the letter is
this: Paul's situation was such
that there appeared to be no
reason for him to be rejoicing.
He was a Roman prisoner and his case
was coming up shortly. He might be
acquitted, or he might be beheaded.
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Acts 28:30-31 indicates that he was a
prisoner in his own hired house, but
he was chained to a Roman soldier
and not permitted to preach in public.
Paul had wanted to go to Rome as a
preacher (Rom. 1:13-16); instead, he
had come as a prisoner,
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Acts 28:30-31 indicates that he was a
prisoner in his own hired house, but
he was chained to a Roman soldier
and not permitted to preach in public.
Paul had wanted to go to Rome as a
Paul's Prison
preacher (Rom. 1:13-16); Bondshe
instead,
While He Was Under
had come as a prisoner,
House Arrest
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Introduction
And, unfortunately, the believers at
Rome were divided: some were for
Paul and some were against him
(Phil. 1:15-17).
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Phil. 1:15-17
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of
envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
16 The latter do so out of love, knowing
that I am put here for the defense of the
gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of
selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing
that they can stir up trouble for me while I
am in chains.
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In fact, some of the Christians even
wanted to make things more difficult
for the apostle! Yet, in spite of his
danger and discomfort, PAUL
OVERFLOWED WITH JOY.
What was the secret of this joy?
The secret is found in another word
that is often repeated in Philippians: it
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Paul uses mind 10 times, and also
uses the word think 5 times. Add the
time he uses remember and you have
a total of 16 references to the mind.
In other words, the secret of Christian
joy is found in THE WAY THE
BELIEVER THINKS-HIS ATTITUDES.
After all, outlook determines
The Joy-Stealers
Introduction
Paul uses mind 10 times, and also
uses the word think 5 times. Add the
time he uses remember and you have
a total of 16 references to the mind.
In other words, the secret of Christian
joy is found in THE WAY THE
BELIEVER THINKS-HIS ATTITUDES.
After all, outlook determines
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Introduction
As we think, so we are (Prov. 23:7).
Philippians, then, is a Christian
psychology book, based solidly on
Bible doctrine.
It is not a shallow “self-help“ book
that tells the reader how to Convince
himself that "everything is going to
turn out all right."
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Introduction
It is a book that explains the mind the
believer must have if he is going to
experience Christian joy in a world
filled with trouble. The best way to
get the total picture of the book is to
discover first the "thieves that rob us
of our joy, then determine the kinds
of attitudes we must have in order to
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy

The Thieves
That Rob You of Your Joy
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy

1. Circumstances
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
1. Circumstances
Most of us must confess that when
things are going our way" we feel a
lot happier and we are much easier to
live with.
But have you ever stopped to consider
how few of the circumstances of life
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
We have no control over the weather
or over the traffic or over the things
other people say and do. The person
whose happiness depends on ideal
circumstances is going to be
miserable much of the time. The poet
Byron wrote, "Men are the sport of
circumstances."
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
We have no control over the weather
or over the traffic or over the things
other people say and do. The person
whose happiness depends on ideal
circumstances is going to be
miserable much of the time.
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
And yet here is the
Apostle Paul in the worst
of circumstances, writing
a letter saturated with
joy!
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
And yet here is the
Apostle Paul in the worst
of circumstances, writing
a letter saturated with
joy!
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy

2 People
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The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
2 People
(Warren Wiersbe)
My daughter jumped off the school
bus as it stopped in front of our house
and slammed her way through the
front door. She marched defiantly up
the stairs into her room and again
slammed the door. All the time she
was muttering under her breath,
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
*People-people-people-PEOPLE!
I went to her door and knocked softly.
"May I come in? She replied, "No!
I tried again, but she said it even
more belligerently: "NO!"
I asked, "Why can't I come in?
Her answer: "Because you're a
people!
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
All of us have lost our joy
because of people: what they
are, And no doubt we
ourselves have contributed to
making somebody else
unhappy. It works both ways.
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The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Hindi ko katulog sa mga
naga panukot utang sa
akon.
Tubag: singgana nga hindi
ka na magbayad para sila
naman hindi makatulog!
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
But we have to live and work
with people; we cannot isolate
ourselves and still live to
glorify Christ, We are the light
of the world and the salt of
the earth,
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
But sometimes the light grows
dim and the salt becomes
bitter because of other people.
Is there any way to have joy
in spite of people?
what they say, and what they
do.
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Sin o inang people sa kinabuhi mo?
Kasilingan mo nga MARITESS?
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Sin o inang people sa kinabuhi mo?
Asawa mo nga nagselos?
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Sin o inang people sa kinabuhi mo?
Asawa mo nga nagselos?
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Sin o inang people sa kinabuhi mo?
Asawa mo nga nagselos?
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Sin o inang people sa kinabuhi mo?
Asawa mo nga nagselos?
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Sin o inang people sa kinabuhi mo?
Bana mo nagloko?
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Sin o inang people sa kinabuhi mo?
Uyab mong seaman?
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Sin o inang people sa kinabuhi mo?
Uyab mong seamanloloko?
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Sin o inang people sa kinabuhi mo?
Officemate mo?
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy

3. Things
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
3. Things
Abraham Lincoln was walking down
the street with his two sons, who
were crying and fighting.
"What's the matter with the boys?” a
friend asked. The same thing that's
wrong with the whole world," Lincoln
replied. "I have three walnuts and
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Things! What thieves they can be!
Yet Jesus said, "A man's
life consisteth not in the
abundance of the things
which he possesseth"(Luke
12:15).
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The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
In the Sermon on the
Mount, Jesus warned
against laying up treasures
on earth: they are not safe,
they do not last, and they
never satisfy.
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Yet most people today think
that joy comes from the things
that they own. In reality,
things can rob us of the only
kind of joy that really lasts.
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Matthew 6
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry
about your life, what you will eat or
drink; or about your body, what you
will wear. Is not life more than food,
and the body more than clothes? 26
Look at the birds of the air; they do
not sow or reap or store away in
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Matthew 6
feeds them. Are you not much more
valuable than they? 27 Can any one of
you by worrying add a single hour to
your life?
28 “And why do you worry about
clothes? See how the flowers of the
field grow. They do not labor or spin.
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Matthew 6
29 Yet I tell you that not even
Solomon in all his splendor was
dressed like one of these. 30 If that is
how God clothes the grass of the field,
which is here today and tomorrow is
thrown into the fire, will he not much
more clothe you—you of little faith?
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Matthew 6
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What
shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we
drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32
For the pagans run after all these
things, and your heavenly Father
knows that you need them.
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Matthew 6
33 But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well.
34 Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry
about itself. Each day has enough
trouble of its own.
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The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy

4. Worry
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4. Worry
This is the worst thief of all!
How many people have been robbed
of peace and fulfillment because of
worry!
In fact, worry even has physical
consequences, and, while medicine
can remove the symptoms, it cannot
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy

Worry is an "inside job."

You can purchase "sleep at the drug
store, but you cannot purchase "rest.
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The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
If Paul had wanted to worry, he had
plenty of occasion. He was a political
prisoner facing possible execution.
His friends in Rome were divided in
their attitudes toward his case. He
had no mission board supporting him
and no Legal Aid Society defending
him.
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The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
But in spite of al these
difficulties Paul does not
worry.
Instead, he writes a letter
Filled with joy and tells us
how to stop worrying.
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Philippians 4
6 Ayaw kamo pagkabalaka
mahitungod sa bisan unsang butang,
hinonoa sa tanang butang ipahibalo
ninyo sa Dios ang inyong mga hangyo
pinaagi sa pag-ampo ug sa
pagpangamuyo uban sa
pagpasalamat.
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The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Philippians 4
7 Ug ang KALINAW sa Dios, nga
lapaw sa tanang pagpanabut,
magabantay sa inyong mga
KASINGKASING ug sa inyong mga
HUNAHUNA diha kang Cristo Jesus.
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
These, then, are the four thieves that
rob us of joy:circumstances, people,
thing, and worry.
How do we capture these thieves and
keep them from taking away the joy
that is rightfully ours in Christ?
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy

The answer is: we

must cultivate the
right kind of mind.
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy

The answer is: we

must cultivate the
right kind of mind.
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy

The answer is: we

must cultivate the
right kind of mind.
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
If outlook determines outcome, then
the attitude of mind that we cultivate
will determine our joy or lack of it. In
the four chapters of Philippians, Paul
describes four attitudes of mind that
will produce joy in spite of
circumstances, people, and things,
and that will keep us from worrying.
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The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Philippians 4
7 And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.
The Joy-Stealers
The Thieves That Rob You of Your Joy
Abangan next Sunday:
The Four Attitudes
That Maintain Your
Joy
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