Interactive Bible studies and fellowship on Sunday. Joy Experienced.
Details
### THIS SUNDAY, January 18, 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:
## Joy Experienced. Joy in Philippians (Part 7).
## You can also join us on Zoom Meeting click below!
#### CLICK HERE
#### Meeting ID: 856 8178 1850Passcode: 041731
Preview video: https://youtu.be/kzINP14j9nA
The meeting of Grace Christian Church. We meet in person and stream services every Sunday at 10:30 AM EST in Manalapan, New Jersey.
"Joy Experienced" (from Philippians 3:15–21, part of a series on joy in the book of Philippians) in key points:
- Core Theme: True spiritual joy — a deep, enduring gladness and peace from the Spirit of Christ — is only experienced by living from Christ as your source (inside-out transformation), not by law-keeping or rule-following (outside-in effort).
- Key Spiritual Principle:
Attempting to produce the fruits of the Spirit (including joy) through external rules/law never works.
Rest in righteousness by faith in Christ → pursue knowing Christ → live from Him as life → experience fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).
No law produces joy, but no law opposes it either — real joy flows from the Spirit.
- 1. Joy Experienced by Living from Christ
Paul urges mature believers to adopt his mindset/attitude: forget what lies behind, press toward the goal of knowing Christ, the power of His resurrection, and living "for to me to live is Christ."
Follow his example and pattern; God will reveal this truth to those who think otherwise.
Key attitudes: desire God's will over self-will, Christ-dependence over self-dependence, and Christ living in/through us.
- 2. Joy Lost by Pursuing Earthly Things Instead of Christ
Many (enemies of the cross) set their minds on earthly/carnal things — their god is their belly, glory in shame, end is destruction.
A mind set on the flesh/earthly things brings death (no spiritual life/peace/joy) — whether unsaved or carnal believers (Romans 8:6).
Only a mind set on the Spirit brings life and peace/joy.
- 3. Joy Experienced While Eagerly Waiting for Christ's Return
Believers' true citizenship is in heaven; we eagerly await Jesus, the Savior.
He will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body (future resurrection/rapture).
While waiting, maintain Paul's attitude: live for Christ now — not consumed by end-times fear/anxiety or prophecy obsession, which can distract from the upward call and steal joy.