1. OUR MISSION: To guide those far from God into the new start found in Jesus Christ.

3. “…that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” Philippians 1:12 (ESV) JOYFUL NO MATTER WHAT Philippians Church planted: 52 A.D. Letter written: 62 A.D. Key theme = Joy A word used 19 times The letter was written from a Roman prison See Acts 28

4. “…that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” Philippians 1:12 (ESV) JOYFUL NO MATTER WHAT Philippians 1:2-7 “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.”

5. “…that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” Philippians 1:12 (ESV) JOYFUL NO MATTER WHAT One We all have a ‘what’ and don't understand the ‘why’ Two God always has a ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ Three We don't have to understand the ‘why’ to trust God in the ‘what’

6. “…that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” Philippians 1:12 (ESV) JOYFUL NO MATTER WHAT First Question When life is hard… don’t ask why? Ask what? Philippians 1:12 “ Philippians 1:12 “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.” ‘advance’ = prokopē military term = ‘to drive forward’ Your prison can become your pulpit

7. “…that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” Philippians 1:12 (ESV) JOYFUL NO MATTER WHAT First Question When life is hard… don’t ask why? Ask what? Philippians 1:13 Philippians 1:13 “As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” The test that you endure today could become your testimony tomorrow Philippians 1:14 “And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”

8. “…that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” Philippians 1:12 (ESV) JOYFUL NO MATTER WHAT Second Question When life is hard… ask so what? Philippians 1:15-18 “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” “What does it matter?” = tis / gar / plēn

9. “…that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” Philippians 1:12 (ESV) JOYFUL NO MATTER WHAT Second Question When life is hard… ask so what? When you recognise what does not matter… you can focus on what does matter Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Our perspective determines our understanding

11. OUR MISSION: To guide those far from God into the new start found in Jesus Christ.