Friday First - Fuel Your Joy

Life after healing. What is it like for us when we begin to grasp the magnitude of our salvation? When we remember how we came to God in brokenness, crushed by our own iniquities? We heard the call of the gospel, turned toward Jesus, met Him in the waters of baptism where the Spirit breathed life into our heart. And now this new reality has produced a completely new perspective that directs us toward total trust and dependence on God. As we grow in faith it naturally leads to proclamation and praise. We are so blessed! And we want to tell the world about it!

Perspective, proclamation, and praise should characterize our new life.

We will spend the majority of October in Philippians seeing how a reoriented spiritual perspective dominated Paul’s life. You’ll see him proclaiming his trust and dependence on God. And, you’ll see how the Spirit’s work in his life led him to joyful praise. You see it especially in Philippians 1.3-8.

On Sunday, we’ll talk about the unwavering and constant joy that filled Paul’s life. Holy Spirit generated joy is never dependent on physical circumstances. It doesn’t come from tranquility, peace, comfort, or personal safety. It is the result of living inside an eternal relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ and the Spirit given to us at salvation.

How close do you feel to God? It is your nearness to God that determines the level of your joy.
In Sunday’s lesson we will examine Philippians 1.3-5 to see how:

• Positive memories fuel joy, Philippians 1.3.
• Prayer fuels joy, Philippians 1.4.
• Partnership fuels joy, Philippians 1.5.

As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please give consideration to these questions:

1. What are some of the positive memories you have with brothers and sisters at Cornerstone?
2. What bad attitudes toward others indicate a lack of the Spirit’s control in our life?
3. How can praying for others become a source of joy in our life?
4. True/False: “Joy doesn’t concern itself with itself.” Why?
5. What are some of the blessings of partnership you have experienced at Cornerstone?

OPENING / WELCOME
Cain Atkinson

SONG LEADER
Jason Schofield

PRAYER OF PRAISE
Dillon Sluss

LORD'S SUPPER
Rich Walker

SCRIPTURE READING
Dan Spargo
Philippians 1.3-8

PREACHING
Matthew Allen

CLOSING COMMENTS & PRAYER
Russ Robins

WELCOME CENTER
Pat Reeder / Eric Renegar / Judy Hickey

USHERS (arrive @ 9)
Jim Rutter / Bob Zehring

Closing the Building
Dru McLaughlin