Fellowship Bible Church - Mullica, Hill N.J.

3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well (2 Timothy 1:3-5, ESV).

The secret to a grateful spirit:

•It’s not about happiness: the grateful will find cause to thank God no matter the circumstances (1:3).

"Happiness is that feeling that comes over you when you know life is good and you can't help but smile. It's the opposite of sadness. It is a sense of well-being, joy, or contentment. When people are successful, or safe, or lucky, they feel happiness." (taken from vocabulary.com)

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. 2 Cor. 4:7-9

24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea. 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

2 Cor. 4:24-25

Paul’s difficulties:
•195 lashes (5 x 39)
•3 beatings with rods
•3 shipwrecks
•1 attempted execution
•8 dangers
•20 churches to care for

3 Causes for Joy:

•John’s Joy: When Christ becomes more, and
I become less (John 3:30).

29 Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

•Paul’s Joy: When I can serve others more
and be served less (Phil. 1:25).

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

•James' Joy: When trials develop character
more and my happiness less (Jam. 1:2-3)

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I CAN BE JOYFUL

The secret to a grateful spirit:

•It’s not about you: the grateful will see their life in the context of God’s providential events (Gal. 1:15).

3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well (2 Timothy 1:3-5, ESV).

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, Gal. 1:15

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. Eph. 1:4-6

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. Acts 9:15

The secret to a grateful spirit:

•It is about the Lord: the grateful will remember the things God has done (2 Tim. 1:2).

2 Timothy 1:2-3...
2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience,

Grace comes from the wisdom of God.
Mercy comes from the love of God.
Peace comes from the power of God.
- John Phillips

The secret to a grateful spirit:

•It is about others: the grateful will pray, sympathize, rejoice and encourage others (2 Tim. 2:4-5)

3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well (2 Timothy 1:3-5, ESV).

•It’s not about happiness…
•It’s not about you…
•It is about the Lord…
•It is about others…

Connection Group Thoughts coming up this week:

•In whom can you better invest?
•Have you taken time to disciple someone recently? Why or why not?
•Who can you ask to help mentor you? Could you begin to mentor someone?

To view today's sermon and podcast go to www.aboutfbc.org.
(Typically available by Monday by 5pm)