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Exceedingly Great Joy: Let It SHINE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the December 7, 2025 sermon, “Exceedingly Great Joy: Let It SHINE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Philippians 2:12-30

 

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Today, we continue a sermon series through Philippians about Exceedingly Great Joy and we consider how to live with an enduring joy!  Even as a prisoner himself, Paul knew the secret to the exceedingly great joy expressed by the Magi and he sought to instruct the Philippians, and us, about how to live with a joy that endures all things through a prayerful and humble spirit.  When we live with the joy of knowing Jesus, we must let that joy . . .

  • Submit:  Philippians 2:12-13

    • Making your joy shine will require a submission to God that acknowledges His will and ways as being supreme.  It is in our submission to God that we discover true joy that is not dependent on temporary circumstances.   It is this level of submission that will develop a joy that can shine before people in a way that leads them to glorify God. 

  • Honor:  Philippians 2:14-17

    • Making your joy shine will come from a willingness to honor those to whom honor is due.  Honoring others is an effective solution to overcoming a spirit of arguing and complaining.  When we choose to honor God in a way which gives value to people, we display a joy which will shine before people in a way that leads them to glorify God.

  • Invite:  Philippians 2:18

    • Making your joy shine will lead you to invite others into the growing level of joy that you have discovered.  A humble joy is nearly irresistible as it draws us into something we all desire.  While temporary happiness can be pleasing while it lasts, experiencing true joy in the midst of life’s struggles is something that makes an invitation worth accepting.  When we choose to invite people to experience the joy of Jesus, we shine before people in a way that leads them to glorify God.

  • Notice:  Philippians 2:19-24

    • Making your joy shine will cause you to notice people in ways that you may have often overlooked.  It is in the joy of knowing Jesus that we are able to notice the sufferings of others as well as the value they have as one created in God’s image.  When we choose to notice people in ways which seek what is best for them, we shine before people in a way that leads them to glorify God.

  • Encourage:  Philippians 2:25-30

    • Making your joy shine will result in being an encouragement to the people you encounter.  It is through the joy found in Christ that the desire to see others encouraged begins to exceed our own desire to be comfortable.  When we choose to encourage others, we shine before people in a way that leads them to glorify God.

Today, how will you let your joy SHINE?