Sunday, December 15, 2019 pm
STUDIES IN PHILIPPIANS
(25)
Rejoice in the Lord Always
Philippians 4:4
Having encouraged the brethren at Philippi to strive for true unity,
Paul begins to give some final admonitions.
With quick summation, Paul
mentions several important qualities – rejoicing, gentleness, not being
anxious and the types of things we ought to meditate about.
The next few lessons, we want to consider these in some detail.
Tonight, we want to notice the first one – rejoicing in the Lord.
Be
reminded of Paul’s circumstance and the situation of these brethren.
Times were difficult and they faced persecutions and other
troubles for their faith.
Yet, Paul has challenged them to keep enduring, in spite of their
circumstance, just as he himself has done.
a.
Rejoicing – a continual
theme in this letter. The
word rejoice is found some 12 times including 1:18 – that Christ
is preached (whether in truth or pretense), 2:2 – hearing of unity among
brethren, 2:17-18 – Paul’s willingness to be “poured out as a drink
offering” for them, 2:28-29 – he sent Epaphroditus back to them so that
they would rejoice (comfort in friends), 3:1 – like our text.
b.
It is something we must
continually remind ourselves of.
We live in times where it is very easy to become discouraged and
sad. There are many
contributions to this including:
i.
For some, it seems like
a natural disposition. We
hear of those who are melancholy in their temperament.
Remember Eeyore, the grey donkey in the Winnie the Pooh series.
Always down and pessimistic.
It is who he is.
Perhaps because of environment, genetic or other reasons, they are just
more likely to not find joy.
ii.
Our personal failures,
and perhaps the consequences of such.
iii.
Reminders of our
weaknesses or faults – do you ever get mad at yourself because of some
disposition you wish was not there – such as forgetfulness,
overemphasizing the negative, physical weakness, e.g. maybe one who is
not “mechanically inclined”, etc.
iv.
Depressing circumstances
– as we noted quite often, we live in a very negative and critical
world. These times are NOT
godly in so many ways.
You may be dealing with family or physical circumstances that are not
good.
v.
Empathy – because of our
compassion we realize what others are going through, both personally and
as a society, and it pains us as well.
a.
God wants us to be
joyful. That is a continued
theme of scripture.
It is not based primarily on our circumstances.
Sometimes it is in spite of our circumstances – such as Paul and
Silas in prison in Philippi and singing praises to God having been
beaten for doing a good work in the name of the Lord.
b.
What does it mean to
rejoice?
The Greek word is defined as to feel happiness and well-being.
To be joyful. It is
acting in a happy or celebratory way. Spiritually, it means to have a
disposition of contentment, gratitude and seeing the best in a given
situation. It is a
determination that you are not going to let troubles defeat you.
In the Bible there are so many words that are associated with rejoicing
– joy, gladness, glorying, blessed, happy, etc.
Even praise is associated with
rejoicing.
c.
It is not about being happy all the time
– there are times to be sorrowful and tearful.
Jesus, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross (Hebrews
12:2)
Paul to the Corinthians he would gladly spend and be spent – 2
Corinthians 12:15
Paul even noted this in Romans 12:15 – there is a time for weeping.
James 5:13 speaks of praying when you are suffering.
When there is sin – there ought to be mourning – personally –
James 4:9 – lament, let your laughter be turned to mourning, etc.; and
publicly – 1 Corinthians 5:2.
When we withdraw from someone, there ought to be no joy in that.
But as earlier noted, what is your default disposition?
WHY are you not joyful?
Is it temporary? Etc.
d.
Rejoice
– present tense. Ongoing
action. Paul is saying, you
need to continually be rejoicing.
a.
There is no better reason to rejoice than to consider
our standing with God.
1 Peter 1:8-9 speaks of
rejoicing “with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end
of your faith – the salvation of your souls.”
Luke 10:20, Jesus even said, “Rejoice because your names are written in
heaven.”
b.
There are also other
things that ought to cause us to rejoice –
i.
Romans 12:12 speaks of
rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulations…”
ii.
Romans 12:15 rejoicing
along with others (instead of being jealous)
iii.
1 Corinthians 13:6 – we
rejoice in truth – that truth is prevailing in a given circumstance
iv.
2 John 4, 3 John 4 -
Rejoice when brethren are walking in truth
v.
Romans 5:3-5 – we
“glory” as our trials make us stronger.
vi.
2 Corinthians 7:9 – when
one repents
vii.
1 Peter 4:13 – that you
partake in Christ’s sufferings
viii.
It is such things that contrasts the Christian’s joy with that of the
world.
c.
When you think about the
things in this life that bring sorrow and rob us of our joy, how many of
them are the product of the world RATHER than God?
Consider the world’s
search for joy
i.
In all the wrong places
– sensual pleasures, possessions and power
ii.
Drugs and substances –
including alcohol. Seeking
escape
iii.
Such was Solomon’s quest
that we have been studying is seeking pleasure (and meaning) through
worldly pursuits. Solomon’s
conclusion – all is vanity and grasping for wind (Eccl. 1:2, 2:14,
etc.).
1 John 2:15-17 – tells us the world is passing away and its lusts.
Hebrews 11:25 speaks of Moses choosing God’s people rather than “the
passing pleasures of sin”.
That means we can deal with whatever our circumstances are with a joyful
attitude. In this we must
understand that God has given us what we need to be joyful.
Consider the above list:
a.
A melancholy disposition
– we can make up our minds, I am not going to be that way.
We should remember that it is likely a learned disposition.
CHOOSE to rejoice. Romans
12:2 tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
b.
Reflecting on past
failures, I can determine that the past is that – history.
I cannot change it, but I can move on.
Isn’t that the point Paul was making in Philippians 3:8, 13.
MOVE ON!
c.
Present faults – is
there something I can do to help me conquer or deal with my faults?
IF it involves sin, will I repent?
d.
Depressing circumstances
– remind yourself of the light at the end of the tunnel.
James 1:2-4 – again, we are reminded of the good that can come from
such, IF you let it.
1 Peter 4:12-13 – rejoice to the extent you partake in Christ’s
sufferings (cf. Matthew 5:10-12)
e.
Empathy for others – be
an encouragement to others.
1 Thessalonians 5:14. Help them in whatever way you can.
Try to cheer them up for their good and for yours.
f.
THE POINT: If we are not
joyful, what are we doing about it. It
is an attitude. We need to determine we are NOT going to let these types
of things keep us from rejoicing.