THE COMMAND IS TO REJOICE!
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4
In today's world there is much to trouble the hearts of God's people. Sin is rampant and dedicated Christians are often chided for standing firm for the Word of God. But the Word of God gives us strong reason to "rejoice always". Let us consider the reasons the child of God should rejoice in the Lord for the unspeakable blessings in our past, our present and in our future.
I. REJOICING IN WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” Ephesians 2:1-3
II. REJOICING IN THIS PRESENT TIME
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” I Peter 2:9
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” I John 3:1
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8:16-17
III. REJOICING IN WHAT OUR FUTURE HOLDS
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11
“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” I John 3:2
But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." I Corinthians 2:9
