Relentless Joy 3: The Most Rewarding Part of Life
/Philippians 1:12-26
What is the most rewarding part of life?
Material things that feel rewarding immediately have a short shelf life. The feeling of satisfaction expires quickly.
Caring for your family and friends and people can be satisfying, by we all transition to different seasons of life.
When our expectations are not being met it leads to frustration.
Philippians 1:12-26 ESV
1) There is even joy in difficult circumstances when they result in the Good news spreading.
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
To live is Christ includes the mission of spreading the gospel of Jesus.
2) There is joy on earth when you are making an impact for heaven.
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
The greatest reward in life is when we see other people in our life get closer to Jesus.
3) The most rewarding part of life is when the others in your life connect to the jesus in your life.
Phil 1:20 - For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
What’s more rewarding than winning the world cup trophy? When you are able to pour into someone else’s life and see them grow.
Philippians 4:1 Paul calls the Philippians his joy and crown.
Therefore, my brothers,[a] whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
