Fulfilled

We have been told over and over......and in many different

ways that we should be fulfilled and content in Christ.

A. Too often, this fulfillment and contentment is not

defined and directions to achieve this goal are

lacking.

My questions is this: Are we all content, fulfilled, and at

peace in Christ, Jesus?

A. I cannot read hearts or minds, but I can note

actions and attitudes.

1. When I see those in the Body of Christ

seeking after and desiring the same things

that the world pursues......I have to think that

many in the Church are not content with

being in Christ.

2. When I see the problems and the worry and

frustration which is connected with those

problems.......I cannot think that Christ is

a real presence in these Christians lives.

3. When I see the attitudes of the world creeping

into the Church....I have to think that

somehow....many are overlooking Christ, in

their lives.

I still believe that a person can become fulfilled, content,

and at peace in the Lord.

A. I do also think, however, that for this to happen,

Christians must follow certain guidelines that are

laid out in the fourth chapter of Philippians.

I. We need to rejoice, in the Lord...Phil. 4:4-5

Phil. 4:4-5 - 4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say,

rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The

Lord is at hand.

A. In verse five, the Greek can be translated, “Let

the fact that you have yielded yourselves to God,

be made known to all men.”

1. It’s the world that has nothing to rejoice in.....

no hope......no real happiness......no genuine

fulfillment.

a. Our rejoicing tells the world that we have

yielded ourselves to God and we have

reaped a reason for rejoicing.

B. People just naturally dwell on all their woes, cares,

and troubles.

EXAMPLE: Shake hands with a certain individual. I say

“Good morning”.....this individual......without

fail, will say, “What’s so good about it?”

** I know that this person is kidding.....

but I also think that this thought is just

naturally not far away from everyone’s

thoughts.

1. The natural man has much that is bad.....to

dwell on.

a. The car is not running well.

b. The kids are getting bad grades in school.

c. I have a toothache.

d. How in the world am I going to make

the car payment and the rent....seeing as

I had to take Joe to the doctor’s.

e. On top of all this....my back is in agony,

my neck is sore, and I have a splitting

headache.

“GOOD MORNING!”

C. How does God or mankind expect me to rejoice

when I am faced with 101 different problems.

1. “I believe that God will understand if I can’t

find it in me to rejoice”.

D. The word that is used, in the Greek, is in the

imperative mode.....in other words, it is not

optional.....it is a command of God.

1. But what can I rejoice in.......being as I am

so burdened down with cares, worries, and

problems.

** Let me see if there might be anything to rejoice in.

a. We were all headed on a flaming crash

course set on hell and destruction.

1.) Long before we even knew our own

danger, Jesus saved us.

b. Through nothing that we have done to

earn this distinction and honor......we

have been made children of God.

1.) As if that weren’t enough, we have

been made to inherit

EVERYTHING THAT CHRIST

HAS INHERITED!!!! (think

about this......just for a few

moments).

c. In the death that was once all that we

could look forward to........we have now

a promise of everlasting life.

d. Even in this present physical world.....

God has wondrously made each and

every one of us....in His image and

after His likeness.

1.) He has also created everything

for our enjoyment.

a.) The planets, stars, sun and

moon.

b.) The sunsets and the moon-

rise.

c.) Sunny days, rain, snow, etc.

d.) The mountains and the

plains.

e.) Oceans, rivers, lakes, etc.

f.) The smell of a fireplace on

a cold evening.

Psalm 8:4 - What is man that You are mindful of him,

And the son of man that You visit him?

** We have so much to rejoice about, we SHOULD BE

DIFFERENT!!!!

1. Yes.....we certainly can and must rejoice in the

Lord.

a. We must rejoice and give God the glory for all

the rich blessings that we share in Christ,

Jesus.

1.) To do any less is an affront to our loving

God who has done, is doing, and even

yet will do.......so very much for every

one of us.

E. Every day in the life of a Christian should be a

day of rejoicing.

Psalm 118:24 - 24 This is the day the Lord has made; We