Fellowship Bible Church - Mullica, Hill N.J.

•SERVE: Joy is DISCOVERED when our determination to
serve overcomes our sense of entitlement (Phil. 1:1).

•PRAY: Joy is DEVELOPED as we pray with thankfulness
for the relationship we have through Jesus (1:3-5).

•ENCOURAGE: Joy is SUSTAINED when we speak of the
work that God has yet to do in our friend’s life (1:6).

“A joyful life of grace towards others grows best in the soil of gratitude.”

HOW THE THANKFUL HEART CARES
•As we serve, pray and encourage one another, we will find that our emotional commitment grows (1:7a).

7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

HOW THE THANKFUL HEART CARES
•As we remember our need for God’s grace, we will be more likely to rejoice in his grace for others (1:7b).

7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

HOW THE THANKFUL HEART CARES
•As we support one another in difficulty we make an irreplaceable contribution (1:7c).

7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:7-11

We are prone to entitlement when we think we did the work; we are moved towards gratitude when we understand God did it.

3 DIAGNOSTIC QUESTIONS WHEN YOU FEEL UNDER APPRECIATED:

Do you talk over the offense with others more than you take it to God? (Ps. 41:9-13)

9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. 10 But you, O LORD, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them! 11 By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. 12 But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. 13 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!
Psalm 41:9-13

3 DIAGNOSTIC QUESTIONS WHEN YOU FEEL UNDER APPRECIATED:

Do you find that you think about the offense more than the opportunity to serve? (Phil. 2:5-8)

3 DIAGNOSTIC QUESTIONS WHEN YOU FEEL UNDER APPRECIATED:

Do you sense your spirit drawn to complaining more than to gratitude? (2 Cor. 4:7-9; 16-18)

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9; 16-18

HOW THE THANKFUL HEART PRAYS:

• We desire that our capacity to receive and share the love of God will increase (1:9).

9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:7-11

HOW THE THANKFUL HEART PRAYS:

•We long for our understanding of God to grow and be properly applied (1:9).

9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:7-11

HOW THE THANKFUL HEART PRAYS

•We purpose our life to be lived for the praise and glory of God (1:10).

9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:7-11