A Glimpse into a Joyful Heart
(Philippians 1:1-8)

I. Background of Philippians (Acts 16)
II. A glimpse into a joyful heart (Philippians 1:1-8)
A. The joy of thanksgiving (Philippians 1:3-5; 4:6; Colossians 4:2)
B. The joy of partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:5; 1 Corinthians 1:9)
C. The joy of confident expectation (Philippians 1:6)
1. God takes the initiative in starting his work in you. (John 6:44; 15:16)
2. God takes personal responsibility for completing His work in you. (Romans 8:29)
3. God guarantees the outcome of His work in you. (Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 10:14)
D. The joy of affection (Philippians 1:7-8; Romans 5:5)
III. An invitation to true joy
Application Questions:
1. What is a good definition of joy?
2. Have you and do you regularly experience true joy in your life?
3. What are some things that rob you of joy?
4. Do others see joy in your life?

Thriving in Prayer
(James 5:13-18)

I. “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” (James 1:2; 5:13a; John 16:33)

II. “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” (James 5:13b; Ephesians 5:18-19)

III. “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14-15b; Mark 6:13)

IV. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. (James 1:6; 5:15; Mark 11:24)

V. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16; Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:1-2; Proverbs 15:29)

VI. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. (James 5:17-18; Genesis 32:22-32; Ephesians 6:18)
Application Questions:
1. How can I thrive in prayer?
2. How has the Holy Spirit convicted my heart?
3. What changes can I make in my life?
4. How can I share this truth with others?
5. Will you commit to spending time in earnest prayer?

Thriving in Patience and Perseverance (James 5:7-11)

I. Be patient until the coming of the Lord which is at hand! (James 5:7-8; Romans 8:18; 2 Peter 3:8-13)

II. The farmer illustrates the need for patience and active waiting for the harvest. (James 5:7; Matthew 9:36-38; Galatians 6:9)

III. Be patient and establish your heart. (James 5:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13; 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:3)

IV. The prophets are an example of suffering and patience. We count them blessed who endure. (James 1:2-3; 5:10-11; Hebrews 11:32-40; Job 23:10; 1 Peter 1:3-9)

V. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5:11; 1 Peter 1:3-9)

Application Questions:
1. How can I thrive in patience and perseverance?
2. How has the Holy Spirit convicted my heart?
3. What changes can I make in my life?
4. How can I share this truth with others?

Thriving in Generosity (James 5:1-6)

I. The position wealth holds in our hearts.
A. Possessions don’t last. Your relationship with God does. (James 5:1-3 Matthew 6:19-21; 19:23-24; Luke 16:13)

II. The way we make our wealth.
A. Wealth can blind us to the needs of others and harden our hearts. (James 5:4-6; Ecclesiastes 5:13)

III. The account we will give for the way we used our wealth.
A. Our wealth will serve as a witness for or against us before God. (James 5:3; Proverbs 11:25; Luke 6:38)
Application Questions:
1. What position does wealth hold in my heart?
2. What can I give away to others?
3. How can I thrive in generosity?
4. How has the Holy Spirit convicted my heart?
5. What changes can I make in my life?
6. How can I share this truth with others?

Thriving Day by Day (James 4:13-17)

I. Beware of foolish boasting and presumption. (James 4:13, 16; Proverbs 27:1)

II. We do not know what will happen tomorrow. (James 4:14a; Matthew 6:34)

III. Life is but a vapor. (James 4:14b; Psalm 90:12)

IV. If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that. (James 4:15; Acts 18:21; Proverbs 3:5-6; 16:9; Matthew 6:10; 26:39)

V. To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (James 4:17; Matthew 25:45)

Application Questions:
1. How can I thrive day by day?
2. How has the Holy Spirit convicted my heart?
3. What changes can I make in my life?
4. How can I share this truth with others?

Thriving in Humility (James 4:6-10)

I. Submit to God. (James 4:6-7a: Proverbs 3:34)
II. Resist the devil. (James 4:7b; Ephesians 6:10-17; John 8:44)
III. Draw near. (James 3:8a; Hebrews 10:22)
IV. Purify your heart. (James 4:8b; Hosea 10:12; 1 John 1:9)
V. Mourn over sin. (James 4:9; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23)
VI. Humble yourself. (James 4:10; Philippians 2:8)

Thriving is different than striving. Thriving is a natural process of growth when you are rooted in Christ. Any ability we have to hear and obey God’s commands is by the grace of God!

Application Questions:
1. How can I thrive in humility?
2. How has the Holy Spirit convicted my heart?
3. What changes can I make in my life?
4. How can I share this truth with others?

Thriving in More Grace (James 4:1-6)

I. “Where do wars and fights come from among you?” (James 4:1a)

A. We wage war within our members. (James 4:1b; Luke 8:14; Romans 6:13)

B. We wage war with others. (James 4:2a; Matthew 5:21-22)

C. We wage war with God. (James 4:2b-4; 1 John 2:17; 2 Corinthians 11:2)

D. God wages war for our loyal love. (James 4:5-6; Colossians 2:14-15)
Application Questions:
1. How can I thrive in more grace?
2. How has the Holy Spirit convicted my heart?
3. What changes can I make in my life?
4. How can I share this truth with others?

Thriving in Genuine Faith (James 2:14-26)

I. There is only one kind of faith that saves. (James 2:14; Ephesians 2:8-10)

II. Living faith expresses itself in acts of mercy and compassion. (James 2:15-17; Matthew 5:16)

III. A faith demonstrated through works does not earn salvation but proves it. (James 2:17-18; Luke 6:43-45)

IV. Faith is not just a matter of the mind but of the heart and will. (James 1:19)

V. Faith is the active obedient pursuit of God and His purpose. (James 2:21-25; Genesis 15:6; 22:1-12; Joshua 2:1-21)

VI. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)

Application Questions:
1. How can I thrive in genuine faith?
2. How has the Holy Spirit convicted my heart?
3. What changes can I make in my life?
4. How can I share this truth with others?

Thriving in LOVE (James 2:1-13)

I. A clear command against partiality. (James 2:1; 1 Samuel 16:7; Romans 2:11)

II. A real life example of partiality. (James 2:2-4; 2 Corinthians 8:9)

III. Partiality dishonors the poor who have been chosen by God to be rich in faith. (James 2:5-7)

IV. Partiality violates the royal law of love given by Jesus. (James 2:8-11; Matthew 22:34-40; Luke 10:29-37.)

V. Mercy triumphs over judgment! (James 2:12-13; Romans 8:1; Matthew 5:7)

Application Questions:
1. How can I thrive in love?
2. How has the Holy Spirit convicted my heart?
3. What changes can I make in my life?
4. How can I share this truth with others?

Three Signs of Thriving in Spiritual Maturity (James 1:26-27)

1. Bridle your tongue! (James 1:26; 3:5-8; Matthew 15:18-19; Proverbs 16:1; 18:21; Romans 3:13; Colossians 4:6)
2. Demonstrate compassion toward those who can’t repay us. (James 1:27; Exodus 22:22; Isaiah 1:17; Zechariah 7:10; Mark 12:40; 1 John 3:18)
3. Keep yourself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:26)

Application Questions:

1. How can I thrive in spiritual maturity?
2. How has the Holy Spirit convicted my heart?
3. What changes can I make in my life?
4. How can I share this truth with others?