Hey everyone I’m Pastor Gary Hoban and welcome to Refinery Life Australia.
Our goal is to release a new video / Podcast every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
To begin the new year we are starting on Wednesdays with a 5 part series from Philippians 4 about the Pathway to Success.
Today is part two and we are talking about The Secret to Happiness.
Philippians 4:10-13 (ESV)
God's Provision
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Introduction
Paul assured those who were concerned about him and were in his care that he had learned the secret of happiness.
Today, many people are searching for happiness.
All kinds of misguided pleasures and activities are followed in an effort to find the secret of happiness.
But Paul said that happiness is found in Christ.
Is todays scripture, Paul reiterated the purpose of his letter to the Philippians.
He thanked the people for the gift they had sent him.
Paul wanted them to know that he was not complaining because of any want or need on his part, rather he was appreciative of help when they could give it.
The NIV bible translates verse twelve, Paul said, “I have learned the secret of being content.”
Having learned the secret of happiness, he passed it onto us.
- The mastery of the extremes of life is a secret of happiness.
Paul had learned to master the extremes of life.
Whether he had plenty or little, whether he was full or hungry, he had found the contentment that comes from Christ in whatever circumstances he found himself.
Most people think being happy is about luck or fortune, they think happiness depends what happens to them.
Paul corrected this assumption by expressing that happiness does not depend on circumstances.
Instead, it depends on how we learn to master the extremes of life, or how we cope with the times when we have much or little.
2. Measurement of the source of power is a secret to happiness.
When Paul wrote to the Philippians in verse 4:13, he actually revealed the secret of happiness.
He had the source of power that enabled him to meet and master any situation.
Think of it this way, when the electricity goes off, people realise they have everything they need for power, the wiring, transformers, bulbs, appliances, and electronics, everything except the source of power itself.
Paul shared with us the source of power, Jesus Christ.
Jesus’s power is inexhaustible.
He constantly pours strength into the who trust Him.
The secret of happiness is not found in what happens to us.
It is found in what happened in us, the renewal of our lives through faith in Christ.
When we allow Jesus to replenish us, we have endless power pumping into our lives.
Until next time
Stay in the Blessings
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