Rejoice In The Lord Always Series

Opener:

Welcome and good morning everyone ! So blessed to see everyone here today! If you do not know me, my name is Pastor Steven and I am one of the Pastors here at Family of Christ.

This morning we are concluding the book of Philippians. We started this journey four weeks ago and that first week we were introduced to this wonderful book. We talked about how this book shows us a compassionate side of Apostle Paul. That first week, we talked about how God loves us and rejoices over us and there is a privilege in suffering for the Lord.

The second week we dissected Philippians two and talked about the importance of unity, how we need to work to empathize with others and to offer ourselves sacrificially to the Lord.

Last week, we talked about laying down the past and reaching forward for the Lord. We talked about how legalism can be a hindrance to growing spiritually. In chapter three, it encourages us to press forward to the goal for the prize in Christ. Paul was reminding us that we are citizens of heaven and to live our lives accordingly.

The title of our message here this morning in our final installment of Philippians is Rejoice in the Lord always.

In April of 1854 at the ripe age of 19 this pastor started preaching and leading London’s famed New Park street chapel. This pastor continued to preach and by the time of his death had preached nearly 3,600 sermons. His preaching was not without some controversy and criticism. In fact, during this time period, slavery was a common practice and this pastor came out very strongly against it. So much so that people came out against him and he endured a lot of ridicule as a result. Yet, this pastor continued to preach the Word. This pastor is none other than Charles Spurgeon. Charles is quoted to saying this:

“There is a marvelous medicinal power in joy. Most medicines are distasteful; but this, which is the best of all medicines, is sweet to the taste, and comforting to the heart. This blessed joy is very contagious. One dolorous spirit brings a kind of plague into the house; one person who is wretched seems to stop all the birds from singing wherever he goes . . . [But] the grace of joy is contagious. Holy joy will oil the wheels of your life’s machinery. Holy joy will strengthen you for your daily labor. Holy joy will beautify you and give you an influence over the lives of others.”

I. Paul’s crowning achievement

A. Paul’s joy

a. Everything that Paul shared in Chapter 3 really is building here to this final chapter.

b. The first verse in our study here today Philippians 4 – NKJV 4 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

c. Paul here was calling the Philippians to stand against the Judaizer and immoral Christians that would lead them astray.

d. Truly, this church was Paul’s joy and crowning achievement. He was proud of the Philippians and how far they have come in their faith.

e. There were a lot of good things going on there in the church. However, there was a problem and Paul does not beat around the bush and addresses the problem.

f. The problem was that were two Christian sister that had a running disagreement. The bible does not give specifics but my guess is they didn’t like each other’s hair color. Joking..lol

g. Whatever the root of this disagreement was, Paul encouraged these two ladies to lay aside their pride and to be of the same mind.

B. Rejoice always

a. Paul goes on to encourage the church to rejoice in the Lord at all times.

b. If you would turn with me to verse 4&5 of our text which says: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

c. Now this may seem like we have discussed this already in our study and you would be right. Paul mentions this three times in Philippians. The takeaway from him saying it so much in this shorter book really speaks to the importance of it.

d. That word rejoice in the original Greek translation is the verb chairo which translates to being in a state of happiness.

C. Not seeking just an experience

a. As believers, we are not just seeking after an experience of joy, it is having a heart and life full of joy.

b. If you struggle with this in your life, ask Jesus to help you to rejoice in him.

c. Know that God takes great joy over you. In fact, there is a bible verse that epitomizes this fact and is found in Zephaniah 3:17 – NKJV-17 The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”