Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. As we gather together today, we are reminded of the profound truth that we are not alone in our struggles, our questions, or our victories. We are bound together by a shared faith, a shared hope, and a shared love that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today, we are going to be turning our hearts and minds towards a passage of scripture that speaks to the depth of this shared experience. It's a passage that reminds us of the power of praise in the midst of perseverance, the importance of prayer in the face of problems, and the promise of peace in the providence of our God.

Our scripture for today is Philippians 4:4-7, which reads:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

This scripture, dear friends, is a beacon of light in the midst of the storm, a call to rejoice even when the world tells us there is no cause for joy. It is a call to prayer, even when we feel our words are inadequate or our problems too great. And it is a promise of peace, a peace that surpasses all human comprehension and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

As we prepare to delve into this scripture, I am reminded of the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me against the Rock of Ages." This quote, dear friends, encapsulates the essence of our scripture today. It is a testament to the power of praise in perseverance, the strength found in prayer during problems, and the peace that comes from trusting in the providence of God.

Let's bow our heads in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the opportunity to gather together today as your children. We thank you for your Word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. As we reflect on this scripture today, we ask that you open our hearts and minds to your truth. Help us to understand what it means to rejoice in all circumstances, to pray without ceasing, and to trust in your peace that surpasses all understanding. We ask all this in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let’s get started!

Praising in Perseverance

When we think about the act of rejoicing, it's often in the context of celebration or victory. We rejoice when we've achieved a goal, when we've overcome a challenge, when we've received good news. But the scripture we're focusing on today tells us to "Rejoice in the Lord always." Not just when things are going well, not just when we're on the mountaintop, but always. Even in the midst of trials and tribulations, even when we're in the valley, we are called to rejoice.

This might seem like a tall order. After all, how can we find joy when we're facing difficulties? How can we celebrate when we're in the midst of a storm? But the key here is in the source of our joy. We're not just rejoicing in our circumstances, we're rejoicing in the Lord. And the Lord is constant, unchanging, steadfast. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So even when our circumstances change, even when we're facing challenges, we can still find joy in the Lord.

Common misunderstanding: This is not to say that we should ignore our problems or pretend that everything is fine when it's not. Rather, it's about shifting our focus. Instead of focusing on our problems, we focus on the Lord. Instead of dwelling on our challenges, we dwell on His goodness. Instead of letting our circumstances dictate our joy, we let our joy in the Lord dictate our response to our circumstances.

This shift in focus is not always easy. It requires intentionality, it requires discipline, it requires faith. But when we make this shift, when we choose to rejoice in the Lord always, we find that our problems don't disappear, but they do lose their power over us. We find that our challenges don't vanish, but they do become less overwhelming. We find that our circumstances don't necessarily change, but our perspective does.

This change in perspective can make all the difference. When we choose to rejoice in the Lord, we are choosing to trust in His goodness, His faithfulness, His sovereignty. We are choosing to believe that He is in control, that He is working all things together for our good, that He will never leave us nor forsake us. And this trust, this faith, this hope, can sustain us through the darkest of times.

How do we cultivate this joy, this rejoicing in the Lord? It starts with gratitude. When we take the time to count our blessings, to acknowledge the ways in which God has been faithful, to thank Him for His goodness and mercy, we find that our hearts are filled with joy. Even in the midst of trials, we can find reasons to be grateful, reasons to rejoice. It also involves spending time in God's presence, in prayer and in His Word. When we draw near to God, He draws near to us. When we seek Him, we find Him. And in His presence, there is fullness of joy. It involves sharing our joy with others. Joy is contagious. When we rejoice in the Lord, it not only uplifts our own spirits, but it can also uplift those around us. It can serve as a testimony to God's faithfulness, a beacon of hope in a world that so desperately needs it.

Prayer in Problems

As we continue to reflect on the scripture, we find ourselves drawn to the command, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO