1. Recipe For True Happiness Philippians 4:2-23

2. Introduction Universal longing to be happy –Anyone want to be miserable? –Everyone seeks happiness Close of the epistle –Spoke of citizenship (3:20, 21) –Present subject is happiness

3. Live In Harmony (vv. 2, 3) Euodia and Syntyche (v. 2) –A plea Paul made frequently (1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1) –Cannot please self (2:4) –Improve all our relationships

4. Live In Harmony (vv. 2, 3) Help each other (v. 3) –Fellow workers –Names in the book of life (Revelation 3:5)

5. Rejoice In The Lord (vv. 4-7) Words “joy” and “rejoice” –Form of word found seventeen times (1:4, 18, 25; 2:2, 29; 3:1; 4:4, 10) –Christians should be happy people

6. Rejoice In The Lord (vv. 4-7) Rejoice in the proper things (v. 4) –Human accomplishments not enough (Luke 10:20) –We are in the Lord (Galatians 3:27) –When persecuted (Acts 5:41) –When others rejoice (Romans 12:15) –In spite of present (1:12-18)

7. Rejoice In The Lord (vv. 4-7) Let others see it (v. 5) –Have a forbearing spirit, a “’sweet reasonableness” –Can make them happy –Can be seen in our face (Nehemiah 2:1, 2)

8. Rejoice In The Lord (vv. 4-7) Don’t worry (v. 6) –If we do, we cannot rejoice –The Lord is near (1 Peter 5:7) –Provides for us (Matthew 6:33)

9. Rejoice In The Lord (vv. 4-7) He will grant us peace (v. 7) –One out of ten will spend time in a mental health facility –No peace without God (John 14:27; Romans 5:1)

10. Think On Proper Things (vv. 8, 9) Condition of the heart is crucial –Live according to our heart (Proverbs 4:23; 23:7) –Actions begin in the heart (Matthew 12:34, 35; 15:18-20)

11. Think On Proper Things (vv. 8, 9) Think on proper things (v. 8) –Things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy –Are these our guide? –Be careful (Proverbs 6:27, 28)

12. Think On Proper Things (vv. 8, 9) Practice these things (v. 9) –Should become “second nature” –Requires effort on our part

13. Learn To Be Content (vv. 10-20) Rejoiced over their care (v. 10) –Knew they were concerned –Lacked opportunity until now

14. Learn To Be Content (vv. 10-20) He learned to be content (vv. 11, 12) –Doesn’t come automatically –Content whether in need or have an abundance –“Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of what you already have”

15. Learn To Be Content (vv. 10-20) “Do all things through Christ” (v. 13) –Be committed to Him (2 Timothy 1:12) –Content with what we have (Hebrews 13:5) –Content even in adversity (2 Corinthians 12:9)

16. Learn To Be Content (vv. 10-20) Supplied Paul’s needs (vv. 14-20) –Put Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33) –True fellowship, not a cheap “coffee and donuts” imitation (vv. 14-18) –Such is acceptable to God and done to His glory (vv. 19, 20)

17. Conclusion Paul’s love for them (vv. 21-23) Have you found true happiness?