Lasting joy does not come from your resume, but from a right relationship with God through Jesus.

We are going to answer those two basic questions:

1. What must I do now to be saved?

2. What must I do next after I am saved?

In Philippians 3:12–21, Paul uses the analogy of running to describe the Christian journey in life. He’s going to teach us how to find joy in the journey and to finish strong, if we’ll learn to press on, watch out, and look up.

In these verses, we see three important relationships we need to have and what a faithful friend looks like. A faithful friend intentionally invests, genuinely cares, and sacrificially serves.

Paul teaches us how to have unstoppable joy. We have unstoppable joy when we are focused on the progress of the gospel, free by the power of Jesus, and faithful to His purpose for our lives.

In Philippians 2:12-18, Paul teaches us how to shine bright in a dark world by working out, shutting up, and pouring out.

Joy comes through humility by forgetting yourself and focusing on Jesus’ selfless example.

As believers, we can have joy as partakers of the gospel and partners in the gospel, standing on the promises of the gospel.