THE MIND-SET OF A REJOICER

Philippians 1:3-5
Bob Bonner
January 13, 2008

Our Declaration of Independence states: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Because our Declaration of Independence insures this rightful pursuit of happiness, does that mean that the pursuit of happiness is a wise or worthwhile pursuit? Is it a reachable objective to pursue happiness? If it is our unalienable right to pursue happiness, why have so few of us found it?

Answer: One’s ability to state he is at that moment “happy” has always been determined by his present circumstances measuring up with his idea of success or the degree to which his expectations have presently been fulfilled. Therefore, if we make the pursuit of happiness our goal in life, then automatically by definition, we who are the pursuers of happiness will become, as one man put it, “playthings of circumstance.” And as a result, our ability to experience inner peace will be tossed back and forth according to the whim of those events or circumstances that are beyond our control. Sadly, too many of us search desperately for better, easier, more pleasant circumstances or that perfect relationship that will make us happy, and in the end, we come up empty. 

Interestingly, God’s Word never suggests that we make seeking happiness our goal in life. In fact, contrary to popular belief, God never tells us that He expects us or even wants us to be happy or sad. On the other hand, God’s Word raises up “joy” as something one can experience regardless of one’s circumstances. When circumstances turn against you, joy and inner peace do not have to disappear.

Someone else suggested that there are several differences between those who futilely seek after happiness and those who find joy in life. The ultimate difference has to do with two different mind-sets or two different approaches to life. Notice how these two compare to one another.

The “Happiness” Mind-Set The “Joy” Mind-SetThose who need certain things before they can be happy.Those who need virtually nothing tangible to give them joy.Those who are dependent on others to provide their happiness.Those who create their own reasons for joy.Those who see happiness as being “out there” —always future.Those who see joy now, making it a present reality.

As you consider those differences, here are a few questions for you to consider: Do you often find yourself thinking how good life would be if only you had certain things?...if only he or she would do that? If only... “If only” means our eyes are on the horizon, still searching, waiting for our ship to come in so we can be happy. 

This morning, we will see that true meaning and joy in life comes not from circumstances or things out their on the horizon, but from somewhere else. The only mind-set that promises true, lasting and dependable joy is the mind-set that is taught in the Word of God, because that mind-set alone is built upon God’s true and correct perspective of life. When we view life from His perspective, then we can experience joy even in the midst of the cruelest circumstances that life can throw at us.  

As we will see in our study this morning, the Apostle Paul models for us that it is not enough to simply say, “I choose to be joyful.” But rather, as we study him and his words to the Philippians, we will see the evidence that suggests that to discover joy demands a proper biblical perspective toward living life. Furthermore, as we continue to study the entirety of this letter in months to come, we will see that if we attempt to live life outside of this biblical mind-set, the one which gives us the only correct perspective through which we should view our lives, we will not find joy.

Let’s begin by reminding ourselves that the author of Philippians, the Apostle Paul was not some doctor of philosophy, inexperienced in life, detached from reality, pontificating on how to find happiness in life. Instead, Paul writes as a veteran of life who has lived through the hardships of several beatings, stonings, unjust imprisonments and other forms of abuse. Presently, he has been under arrest in prison for two years, shackled to a Roman soldier, 24/7. It is from this prison that he has penned the words we are about to look at. If you could have interviewed Paul at this point in his life, and asked him, “Are you happy?” Paul would have told you, “Life is tough, but there is always cause for rejoicing.” 

Paul was not a man focused on himself, his hurts, shattered dreams or injustices he had suffered. He was not moved by self-pity over his present predicament. Rather, the Apostle Paul was a man who looked outside himself, with a concern about others...in this case, his friends, those Christians who made up the little church at Philippi. Each verse in the passage of Scripture that we are going to begin studying contains the mention of “you,” demonstrating his other-centeredness. He was thankful for their concern, he was thankful for their financial support while he was in prison. He was thankful for those who had come to visit him. He was thankful for those who sat with him when he was ill. 

Another example of his consideration of others is when he heard that they were worried about the condition of their friend Epaphroditus who while visiting Paul had become deathly ill. Out of concern for his friends, Paul writes this letter to let them know that their friend was going to make it. 

More specifically, we will see from our passage that one of greatest evidences of Paul being other-centered is his commitment to pray for his troubled friends. 

Paul lived and functioned as he did because Paul’s mind-set was God’s mind-set. Paul was a giver by nature, not a taker.

Here’s another interesting observation from Paul’s letter to the Philippians that sets the stage for our study this morning: As I have read Paul’s letter to the Philippians, I find no sense of surprise on Paul’s part that these Christians were wrestling in their relationships with one another. Disappointed, yes. Surprised, no. Likewise, neither should we be surprised when we find ourselves at odds with other Christians. Concerning Christians living in conflict with other Christians, the late Dr. James Boice wrote these words I believe the Apostle Paul would have agreed with. He wrote, “God knew that Christians live a great deal of their lives in the flesh instead of in the Spirit. He knew that we all fall short of what God would like us to be. But God has provided wonderfully for His children—for their salvation and for their constant and continuing personal growth in the Christian life, as well as having provided for them to work through their conflicts together and through those conflicts grow closer together rather than apart....like in a good marriage. Consequently, Paul was continually thankful for these things.” [meaning the unpleasantness and pain that typically accompanies conflict with others.]

Although he understood that conflict will happen between Christians, Paul did not sit by and just allow it to go on forever. Elsewhere in the Scriptures he challenges those in conflict to go to one another and to resolve it, no matter how painful or embarrassing it may be. Because he knows that they would rather avoid one another and carry around hurt instead of resolving the issue, Paul let’s them know that he is praying for them to do the right thing. And that’s what’s behind the first paragraph in Paul’s letter. 

In fact, if you were to outline this first paragraph of Philippians, verses 3-11, you would notice that it is a prayer. Verses 3-8, Paul prays, thanking God for and praising God for the Philippians. Then, in verses 9-11, Paul makes specific petitions of God on behalf of the Philippians.

Notice, that even though Paul sees several problems that need to be addressed in this church, Paul does not begin with correcting them. Instead, when conflict arises, Paul models what he instructs the Philippians to do first when tensions arise among themselves.  In case you are not familiar with his instructions to them, let’s read Philippians 4:4-9 and I’ll show you what I mean.

Having just identified two women in verse 2, who are in conflict with one another a conflict that has spread through the church, Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” The context tells us that “these things” have a specific application. This is not meant to be a general exhortation to think positively or be happy about life. Rather the context of the conflict brought on by these women forces the specific application of rejoicing to be aimed at rejoice even over their conflict; and their thinking honorably, rightly and what’s good is to be aimed at those with whom they are in conflict as well as the positive things about their church family. “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

As we examine this first paragraph today and in the weeks ahead, you will notice that Paul practices what he tells them here to do. He rejoices in them, and he first causes them to focus upon that which is good about them and what has brought them together as a church family, their love for Christ and their love for doing His will.

Now let’s begin by looking at just verses 3-5. These verses reveal Paul’s heart, his emotional investment that makes up the basis for his praise of the Philippians. We read, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Note the terms “all, always...” and how they point to the consistency or life practice and importance Paul placed in praying and thanking God for every believer, immature and imperfect as they may be. This practice of praying this way for others reveals a sure sign of spiritual maturity. It shows that he takes seriously his role of serving others through prayer, and not least of all, that he genuinely cares for others.

Paul’s model convicts me of how quick we are to criticize others and slow to pray for one another. This being quick to criticize and slow to pray for each other and our weaknesses is a sure sign of my preoccupation with self and my arrogance.

Verses 3-4 point to the joyful memory the Philippians bring to Paul’s heart, even though he knows their weaknesses and present struggles.

As he writes of “all his remembrances,” he is not simply thanking God for them because they have put food on the table for him through their financial support, but he is thanking God for them, even with their imperfections. When Paul thought of them, he considered their initial condition when he first met them and their present condition in light of what God had done in their midst.  Sure, they weren’t perfect, but look at how they had grown. This was a great cause for him to rejoice and to prayerfully give thanks to God for them.

For Paul, praying for others did not involve denying their weaknesses and shortcomings, but rather looking past them. The Holy Spirit prompts us to appreciate others’ love, their generosity and compassion and to look past their shortcomings. On the other hand, our flesh constantly focuses on the negatives, the faults, the shortcomings, and slights of others.  Bitterness, resentment, a critical spirit, holding grudges is never fruit of a spirit-controlled life.

Although, in verse 4, the NIV translation is not a word for word translation of the original Greek, it captures the emphasis behind the Greek grammar used in these verses. It reads, “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” In other words, Paul is thanking God for every one of them in this fellowship, including the two women, Euodia and Syntyche, the troublemakers who have been the center of some of the disunity in the church. Paul has thanked God for and prayed always for all of them. Paul obviously knew of these two women or he couldn’t have mentioned them by name. Most likely they were probably two veterans of the faith who planted this church. They probably knew that their conflict which was based in their posturing for their self-interests had become a focal point for the disunity and demoralization of the church. But Paul still makes a subtle point to say even to them, “I’m still thanking God for even you and praying for you!”

Note also that Paul says that he prays with “joy.” How can he pray with joy when he sees the results of the circumstances that have brought disunity to the church? He can’t feel good about these things. They must break his heart. How can he rejoice over these things? Paul can rejoice because he doesn’t view life today through the lens of present circumstances. His joy comes from knowing the one who is in control. His joy comes from knowing that even in this disappointing situation, that the God who saved them has not quit working in their lives, and that He will use these tough times to bring needed maturity and growth in their lives. What they are going through as individuals and as a church are discipleship moments. Though we haven’t read it yet, that’s how v. 6, relates to this verse. Paul is confident and therefore rejoices in the reality that one day God will finish His work in their lives. Although it pains Paul to see their sin and selfishness, he rejoices that God is at work in their lives.

In addition, Paul is joyful in that he knows that when these beloved friends, some of whom are stubborn, come to their senses and submit to the Lord, the Lord will resolve the conflict and bring harmony to their lives. Hence, Paul’s inner man is at peace because he knows that God hasn’t fallen off the throne in Philippi even though the situation doesn’t look good at the present. He knows that in the end, God will bring good out of this sad situation. 

Rather than looking only at the negative present circumstances of what is, Paul is viewing this situation from God’s perspective, which allows him to rejoice in what will be. He is rejoicing with the eyes of faith.

Those who follow after the world’s mind-set in their “pursuit of happiness,” focus on their self-interests, their disappointments of what something or someone is not. Pretty soon, when things don’t go the way they hoped or would have liked, dissatisfaction with life floods their souls.

But that’s not the mind-set that produces emotional health, joy and growth. Look with me at Colossians 3:1-3. According to these words of Paul, the pursuit of Christ and cultivating a Christ-centered mind-set is the key to a spirit-controlled life filled with joy. Paul writes, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” What does Paul mean here, concerning “the things of earth?” Things such as: your personal wishes, your views of money management, your expectations and preferences. Whether you are talking about preferences in how you wish your spouse or children would act, preferences as to who will win an election or your expectations of what your church should do or be, all of those are things of earth that can take priority in your minds as being more important than the big picture of what Christ declares as most important. We are to seek after those things first, not our preferences. Why are we supposed to do that? He answers that in the next four words,” For you have died.” What does Paul mean by that? He means the previous priority and emphasis you placed on the things of this world, meaning, your rights, your preferences died when you came to Christ. Now you live for Him and His purposes because He is your master. That’s why he finishes this verse with this statement “and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

There is much more we could say about this subject of “joy,” but because Paul will continue to speak about it throughout this letter, we will save those comments for when we come to them. 

In verse 5, Paul specifically points to and chooses to focus upon one aspect of the Christ-centered mind-set that enabled him to rejoice. Because he lists it first, it is a priority for us.. Rather than focusing on all of their present negative problems, Paul reminds them of what originally brought both he and them joy. He tells them in verse 5, that he rejoices in remembrance of them “in view of [or because of ] your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.”

That word “participation” is the word “koinonia” which is typically translated “fellowship.” Today, when most Christians refer to having “fellowship” with one another, we generally mean no more than Christians sharing in good times together. We might have fellowship cheering our favorite team at the Super Bowl party, or at family reunions, or hanging out with other like-minded hunters, golfers, quilters and scrapbookers. We have almost made the word “fellowship” synonymous with good food and a few laughs.

However, the basic meaning of the word is much deeper than that. It means to share in something, to participate in something greater than the people involved and in something more lasting than the activity of any given moment.  Here, it is the participating in the spreading of the gospel in the lives of believers and to the lost. It is the teaching of believers how the gospel applies and empowers their lives today, as well as to the work of the gospel to reach the lost.

At the birth and early beginnings of the church at Philippi, it referred to Lydia, the wealthy, the ex-demonized slave girl, and the middle-class jailer, who normally had nothing in common, but now because they all know Jesus, they participated in the cause of the gospel. For them, fellowship wasn’t laughing, food or even the ability to have a natural affinity toward one another because they enjoy the same worship music. For them fellowship meant participating together in leading others to Christ.

As it concerned Paul and the Philippians, the participation in the gospel was the singular passion of Paul’s life; that passion is the glue that not only united Paul’s heart with these believers, but it is the sole basis for his writing this letter.

 A quick survey of the first two chapters shows this to be true. Paul’s concern right then for the Philippians is that the spread of the gospel in Philippi had ceased due to their personal conflicts. That’s why, according to 2:2, Paul greatly desires for his dear friends to get their acts together, to “be of one mind” so as to continue the work of spreading the gospel to others in Philippi. That’s why in 1:27, he urges them to “live out their [heavenly] citizenship [in Philippi] for the faith of the gospel.” That’s why he exhorts them, in 2:15-16 to “live blamelessly,” and in 1:11 to be filled with the “fruit of righteousness that comes through Christ.”

As Paul suggests in his words that finish this verse 1:5 “from the first day until now,” had it not been for the gospel, Paul and the Philippians never would have met, nor would their hearts have been knit together. Furthermore, from the very first of their acquaintance, their ministry together had never been easy, with Paul being arrested, beaten, thrown into jail, and then pressured to leave.

So how is it that Paul can rejoice over these Philippians even though he knows of their present disunity? Because he is seeing their situation through the lens of their joint partnership in the spreading of the gospel.  He rejoiced because he knows that when those stubborn Christians who have truly been born again return to what brought them together, their partnership in spreading the gospel,..he knows that then they will quit worrying about which method is right for their church family or making their preference in how something is done more important than the spreading of the gospel itself or who gets to lead the charge or who gets the glory or who gets inconvenienced en route, or even past hurts. He knows these people and he knows that when they look at what is happening among them and they will see it in comparison to their commission to spread the gospel, the true followers of Christ will quit their divisive demoralizing behavior, be of the same mind and get back to work for the kingdom.

This leads to my first point of application. Those whose mind-set is to pursue happiness will never find it. It will remain elusive as a goal. Furthermore, happiness by its very nature, because it is determined by our circumstances is fleeting at best. On the other hand, those who truly possess the gospel will also find their joy in propagating it. Those whose mind-set is this biblical mind-set, built upon God’s true and correct perspective of how to invest one’s life will make it a priority to live and share the gospel. In turn, they will find peace, meaning and deep-lasting joy in life, regardless of their circumstances.

Second, as we study Paul’s example in these verses, we see a man who is able to rejoice because he has learned the secret of giving thanks to God for all the imperfect Christians God has brought into his life. Whether they were difficult or charming, Paul rejoiced and thanked God for their good qualities, and chose not to focus first on all of their shortcomings or how they had disappointed him. When their shortcomings were made apparent, he prayed for them, instructed them, forgave them and allowed them time to grow. He never gave up on them. He never discarded them. Instead, he embraced them knowing that like himself, they were a work still in progress. 

Are there Christians whom you cannot stand being around and with whom you think you will never have anything in common? A Christian whose personality clashes with yours? Is there a Christian from another denomination who seems obstinate in some doctrine and always seems to be getting at you over it? When you see these people coming in the front door of the church or through the store doorway, do you slide down another aisle and sit or stand in the opposite corner of the building? If this is true of you, it is a fault that requires changing and God will change you. Now you can either work with Him or against Him, but one way or another, He will change you. If you want to work with God, prayerfully submit yourself to Him and tell Him you will obey what He is telling you to do. In addition, pray for that other person. Begin with focusing on what is good and right and honorable about that person. As you do, God will not only change them in His due time, but He will change your attitude toward them.

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