The Joy Choice: HOPE
Philippians 1:18-26
 

Week 1: In the Greek: Xaris-Grace…Xara-Joy…Xar-Rejoice

            Focus on Jesus and His Grace

Week 2: C+P=E (Circumstances + Perspective=Experience)

            Perspective often comes from Purpose.

 Focus on HOPE!

Why was Paul’s perspective facing death JOY?

Point 1: His deliverance is absolutely certain.

God delivers in three ways:  He may deliver out of the circumstances or He may deliver through the circumstances or He may deliver to Himself through death. Death is the doorway to Jesus. We are able to view death with the perspective that it means eternal life with God and that changes everything. Hope is not  merely wishful thinking  but  an absolute certainty we can bank on. Hope knows that God is up to something. We need to choose to live in hope.

Point 2: His source of joy is unshakeable.

Philippians 1:21-26  “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain…” We have an unchangeable God who empowers us to know joy even when things are hard.

Vantage point: A position that allows a clear, broad view or understanding.

What was Pauls’ Vantage Point? In view of eternity with a loving God.

What is your Vantage Point?

Paul’s advice for us:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away,  yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.