November 21, 2021
Jailhouse Joy: In This Together
Philippians is Paul’s most joyful letter even though he’s in jail, he’s old, people are behaving poorly, and it’s not clear if things will get any better. Can there be real joy when circumstances are awful?
Listen to an audio version of the message
Songs for this week: Spotify
Philippians 4:14-23
Message Questions:
- What will be the strongest takeaway from Philippians for you?
- On a scale of 1-10, rate the following: How easy is it for you to say “I love you”? How easy is it for you to believe someone who says “I love you?” What makes you good or not so good at giving and receiving love?
- What are the needs in your life right now that have you questioning whether God is able to supply? Does it change anything to know he “meets all our needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus?” How?
- Where is God inviting you to ‘bend’ and ’adjust’ in order to stay in a friendship or even in fellowship with your church? Why is staying together so important?
- As a group, agree on one way in which you can “share in someone’s troubles” this December. How will you express your love to each other, to a neighbour, or maybe even an enemy?
Extend your small group discussion with the expanded guide for today’s message. It includes more questions and soul training practices for you and your small group.
Share with a friend
Recent Sermons
Rev. 22:12-21 - Jesus the Groom, the Church as His Bride, and the Holy Spirit as the matchmaker who brings it all together. Explore how God’s longing heart and our deepest desires find fulfillment in Him.
1 Corinthians 13 - Paul reminds the church in Corinth that love—not spiritual gifting—is the true measure of maturity. Love is a way of life, and unlike gifts, it lasts forever.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about leadership, relationships, self-discipline, and spiritual life. In this message, we explore how the Holy Spirit helps us discern spiritual realities—with Jesus at the very centre of it all.
Galatians 5:16-26 - The Holy Spirit surprised both the convinced and the curious in the early Church—working through powerful deeds and transforming lives from within to become more like Jesus.
Acts 2:1-21 - The long-awaited gift of God’s Spirit given to ordinary women and men finally touched down! A few unlikely believers huddled together in an upstairs room were the first recipients. This story unlocks the plan that the Spirit of Jesus has for us all.
Luke 4:14-21-Jesus announced that the Spirit of the Lord was on him to proclaim the good news. The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus for his mission. And Jesus gives us the same Spirit for the same mission.
