This Sunday we will begin a May series on Philippians.  It is called Discover Joy. Philippians is one of the Prison Epistles, along with Ephesians and Colossians and Philemon.  Paul writes these letters from prison, in Rome, where he has been incarcerated because of his bold faith in Christ.  

And yet Philippians pulsates with joy!  You see, the enemies of the gospel could put Paul in chains, but they could not put the gospel in chains.  The gospel was not bound. 

Furthermore, God gives to His people a joy that transcends circumstances.  That is one of the primary things we will see over the next five weeks as we walk through this amazing little letter. Philippians is only 4 chapters and 104 verses.  In those 104 verses Paul uses forms of the Greek word for “joy” or “rejoicing” sixteen times! 

Let me encourage you to read Philippians…over and over and over.  You can read the entire letter in just a few minutes.  Read the whole letter again and again in one sitting, and the flow and themes will begin to “pop out” at you.  Then dig into certain texts as the Spirit leads.  

I’m excited about the next five weeks, as we dive deep into Philippians and Discover Joy. 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations, 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.