Northwood Archives

Sermon notes

December 30th, 2007

"Laugh Again" sermon series

#1 "Joy is an Attitude Choice"
                                      Pastor Dan Armstrong

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Today's scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Philippians is the New Testament book of joy…written by a man with a stormy life…while he was in prison! Most of the time (traumatic crises and depression are exceptions), joy is an attitude choice. Today we discover…in Paul’s life and ours…three foundations for joy:

1. Paul had happy memories of his church family.
“I thank my God every time I remember you...” (Philippians 1:3-5) Follow Paul’s example: Strive in the present to establish a future of happy memories.

2. Paul had a firm confidence in God.
“...being confident of this...(that God will complete His work in you)...” (Philippians 1:6) Follow Paul’s example: Hold things…and even people…loosely. But hold firmly to a confidence in God.

3. Paul had a warm affection for others.
“...I have you in my heart...with...affection...” (Philippians 1:7-8) Follow Paul's example: Love freely, but love carefully.

A firm foundation of confidence in God defeats life’s joy stealers:
Worry, which is “inordinate anxiety about something that may or may not happen”
Stress, which is “intense strain over a situation we cannot change or control”
Fear, which is “Dreadful uneasiness over the presence of danger, evil, or pain”.