Joy meets sorrow

Like Paul, our spirit is also weak. Then I discovered five unusual aspects of Paul’s life:

I. Paul’s Different Set of Values

The church in Philippi provided for Paul’s daily sustenance. that’s why they had a special relationship. Even so, Paul valued the church not for the provisions, but for the brothers and sisters who are the believers in the Philippian church.

The book of life records the names of people who are sure of their salvation. They are not ordinary believers. Their names are remembered in heaven. This is an incomparable joy!

Rather, our joy should come from services that give glory to God and are remembered by God. This is the different value system that Paul shows us.

II. Paul’s different kind of mentality

Paul had a different mindset because he knew that the Lord is near. We have no power to control this world and we are unable to control our own lives. No one in the competition feels happy. When others compete, you can only give in if your heart is humble and magnanimous. That, then, is true joy. This is Paul’s unusual perspective.

third Paul’s different kind of faith

According to Philippians 4: 6-7 in the New American Standard Version of the Bible, the verse reads “Be anxious for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made to God. And the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

In reality, our difficulties and problems are no different from others in the world. People got sick, so did we; people lose their jobs, so can we. What makes us different from them? What makes us different is our faith.

IV. Paul’s different kind of learning

Paul experienced poverty and prosperity, being full and hungry, having plenty and being in need.

In Psalm 16:6, David wrote that God has given each person his limit.

This is the different kind of learning from Paul that allows him to learn the most valuable lesson in life.

V. Paul’s Different Kind of Motivation

Paul has a rare impulse found ‘in the Lord’. There are three important parts that describe his power:
1. Stand firm in the Lord, 2. Rejoice in the Lord, 3. Do all things in the Lord.

This is Paul’s extraordinary motivation, also his secret. This power is from on high “in the Lord”: stand firm in the Lord, always rejoice in the Lord, and do all things in the Lord victoriously. Amen.