Interactive Bible studies and fellowship on Sunday. Prayers of Thanksgiving

### THIS SUNDAY, December 7, 2025, 10:30 A.M. We will host a Fellowship & Time of Sharing in Person Service combined with an INTERACTIVE. WILL HOST INPERSON CHURCH SERVICES AT THE MANALAPAN SENIOR CENTER, 211 County Rd 522, Manalapan Township, New Jersey (next to the Manalapan Recycle Center)

### THE FORMAT OF THIS SERVICE WILL BE A COMBINATION OF A SERMON WITH INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION AND FELLOWSHIP. YOU ARE ALSO WELCOMED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SERVICE REMOTELY OVER ZOOM.

#### Zoom Meeting Podcast!

## TOPIC:

## Prayers of Joyful Thanksgiving

## You can also join us on Zoom Meeting click below!

#### CLICK HERE

#### Meeting ID: 856 8178 1850Passcode: 041731

Preview video: https://youtu.be/uM4AMIfpX04

"Prayers of Joyful Thanksgiving" from njgrace.org, serving as the first message in a series on the Book of Philippians. It explores Paul's letter to the Philippian church, emphasizing joy in the Gospel, and includes Bible verses, explanations, and discussion prompts.
- **Teaching Methods in the Bible**: Discusses two approaches—topical (examining the whole Bible for consistent truths) and inductive (studying books verse-by-verse to understand the author's purpose). Both are beneficial for spiritual growth.
- **Historical Background on Paul and Philippi**:
- Paul converted in 35 AD (Acts 9), prepared for 12 years, then undertook missionary journeys.
- First journey: Antioch (45-47 AD).
- Second journey: Directed by a vision to Philippi in 51 AD (Acts 16:6-10), stayed 3 months, visited again briefly.
- Philippians written in 61 AD while Paul was under house arrest in Rome, as a thank-you for the church's financial support over 10 years.
- **Key Theme - Joy**: The word "joy" appears 7 times in Philippians. Defined as "a deep enduring state of gladness and peace from the Spirit of Christ." Paul expresses joy in remembering the Philippian believers as his spiritual family.
- **Paul's Introduction (Philippians 1:1-2)**:
- Addressed to all saints in Christ Jesus, including overseers (elders) and deacons.
- Greets with grace and peace from God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ.
- Emphasizes all believers are saints (no special categories or ranks); identity shifts from sinner to saint upon belief.
- **Message Focus**: Examines Paul's joyful prayer of thanksgiving (Philippians 1:3-11), highlighting **3 Joys from the Gospel** as a model for co-ministers of grace.
- **Joy 1: Participation in the Gospel (Philippians 1:3-5)**:
- Paul thanks God with joy for the Philippians' ongoing help in spreading the Good News from day one.
- Spirit reveals the Gospel; faith comes from hearing (Romans 10). Paul preached in the Spirit's power, not persuasion (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).
- Gospel spreads by multiplication (believers sharing, not just pastors). All believers are responsible to preach, led by the Spirit, without relying on human techniques.
- **Joy 2: Defense and Confirmation of the Gospel (Philippians 1:7-8)**:
- Paul holds the Philippians in his heart, sharing grace in imprisonment and Gospel work.
- Core Gospel: Christ died for sins, was buried, and rose (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Isaiah 53). Belief forgives sins (substitutionary atonement).
- Defends against "Good Person Theology" (salvation by works/deeds is false; only belief in Christ saves, per 1 Timothy 2:3-6). Christian life is lived by faith, not rules: "Christ + Nothing = Everything."
- **Joy 3: Results of Believing the Gospel (Philippians 1:6, 9, 11)**:
- God completes His good work in believers until Christ's return (conforming to Christ's image, Romans 8:29).
- Prayer for abounding love, real knowledge, discernment, and fruit of righteousness through Christ.
- Illustrated by Mark 8:22-25 (blind man healed in stages): Initial belief opens eyes partially; continued revelation brings clarity (deeper truths like Christ in us, Colossians 1:27).
- **Discussion and Application**:
- Prompts sharing experiences of spiritual joy.
- Questions: What is the basic defense of the Gospel? Which of the 3 joys gives you the most joy as a Christian?
- Encourages abiding in Christ, seeking revelation; all believers to participate in Gospel work.
- Ends with promotion of more messages on grace at njgrace.org.