Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus… Philippians 2:1-5 NIV

Have you been encouraged in your relationship with Jesus? Been comforted by his love? Moved to compassion and tenderness by his Spirit?

Paul says JOY is complete when we have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

What was Jesus’ mindset?

For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NIV

JOY!

Jesus never lost sight of the end-goal. He was able to serve humbly, deny himself, obey to the point of shameful death, forgive those who betrayed, persecuted, and executed him, all because he knew JOY was set before him. (Philippians 2:6-8)

What was the object of his JOY?

We were! Jesus knew his life, death, and resurrection was the means of our reconciliation with God. In Christ, our sins are forgiven, our condemnation removed, our lives regenerated and eternal, fear of death abolished, and our fellowship with the triune God direct and intimate. JOY.

The object of our JOY is the same – outward focused. We are to shine like stars in our generation as we hold out (or onto) the word of life. 

The Word of Life is Jesus Christ – the good news of the gospel. John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

Here’s the good news:

• We have eternal life – no more fear of death – in any circumstance our hope remains!
• We are free from condemnation – we stand before God with Christ’s righteousness!
• We have been regenerated – we’ve been given a new beginning!
• We have fellowship with God – the Father (we’re his children), the Son (he’s our intercessor), and the Spirit (the very presence of God in our heart)!

As we live in these truths, and share them with others, our joy is doubled!

Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.  Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 2:17-18 NIV