Paul gives us 3 kinds of people the Lord uses to bring Joy to others here in Philippians 2:17-30.

Paul has just written to us to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" and then goes on to say that our obedience must be free of grumbling and disputing.

Philippians 2:12-13 How are you transformed? Paul says we work out our salvation yet it is God who works in us for HIs good pleasure.  So which is it?

In Philippians 2:8-11, Paul continues to use Jesus as an example for us, to see that God will lift us up, gift us, honor us..... all to the glory of the Father!

Paul gives us an illustration of what it means to count others as more significant than ourselves in Philippians 2:5-8.

Paul gets real practical in Philippians 2:1-4. Selfishness destroys joy, but joy comes through unity!

Philippians 1:27-30 Paul tells the Philippians whether he comes to visit them or not, there's only one thing that matters. One thing.

Philippians 1:18-26. Paul is going to mention five things that give him (and us) great joy in the midst of trouble, sorrow or pain.

We know how babies grow or plants or businesses. But how do Christians grow? Paul, in his prayer for the Philippians, outlines how to grow as a Christian. (Your Joy is connected to your spiritual formation.) It's not complicated, he tells us in only 3 verses!

Paul teaches the Philippians about his own life; how to have joy in spite of trouble or trouble makers. Philippians 1:12-18