THE CHOICE TO REJOICE
PHILIPPIANS 4:1-23
#choicerejoice
INTRODUCTION… https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-best-most-annoying-platitudes-that-you-have-read-or-heard-or-even-made-up-yourself
A “platitude” is a comment or statement that a person makes that is often flat or dull that is meant to sound very fresh and profound. Most of the time the statements seem deep, but in the end really mean nothing at all or simply are not true. Many of them have to do with when life gets hard or difficult or we have problems and are a poor attempt at saying that the situation will work out fine. Platitudes are usually NOT helpful in any way shape or form. Maybe you have heard these:
“It is what it is”
“Everything happens for a reason”
“Every cloud has a silver lining”
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”
The last one is often used on t-shirts and is found in various movies and tv shows. I saw one recently that said: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger… except for bears… bears will definitely kill you.” I found that funny.
I would like to share a statement with you this morning that I hope and pray will be encouraging to you and I also hope is not just a platitude. I do not want the statement to be dull or flat. I do not want the statement to say nothing at all or to simply not be true. I want the short phrase to accurately describe and summarize what we find in our Biblical passage today. I want the phrase to be helpful and useful and transformative in our lives.
This is a statement grounded in Scripture.
This is a statement that can speak to us when life is going downhill.
This is an umbrella of truth that can encourage us when it is raining and pouring in our lives.
THREAD: MAKE THE CHOICE TO REJOICE [repeat] [congregation says it as well] [ask for signs in ASL]
I have to tell you that on the surface, that statement looks pretty stupid. It seems not helpful. It seems like a nice thing to say, but not something that has any basis in reality or in real life. The phrase “MAKE THE CHOICE TO REJOICE” is not a platitude, but we find it in Philippians 4. This morning we are going to make our way through Philippians 4 and see how this statement is true and necessary for us in our lives. This is not a platitude, but truth for living.
READ PHILIPPIANS 4:1-4: REJOICING AMIDST DISAPPOINTING PEOPLE
Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
As Philippians 4 opens, we find that not everything is going well in the Philippian church and there is a problem brewing. Paul knows several of them in the midst of the problem. To be honest, these are not people that Paul just knows, but are people that he calls “loyal yokefellow.” These are people that Paul considers partners in preaching. These are comrades of the Kingdom. He mentions Euodia, Syntyche, and Clement by name in verses 2 and 3. Something is amiss with them. Notice that in verse 2 these two women, Euodia and Syntyche, are not just arguing about something silly or something easily agreed upon, but they are arguing and have a disagreement about something to do with faith. I am thinking that the disagreement is so sharp that it is causing a problem in the church and Paul feels the need to mention it in his letter.
People that Paul knows and loves are disagreeing with each other and causing problems in the church. I am sure that makes him feel disappointed. He feels frustrated with them. He not only asks them to work out their issues, notice that in verse 2 Paul says that he “pleads” with them. To me, that shows how serious the issue is and how important these two ladies are to the Philippian church.
In the midst of dealing with disappointing people, Paul does what? He is speaking about the disagreement of Euodia and Syntyche and then instructs us to rejoice! Verse 4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” In the midst of disagreements or problems or disappointment or painful situations, we can indeed rejoice in the middle of it.
THREAD: MAKE THE CHOICE TO REJOICE
READ PHILIPPIANS 4:5-8: REJOICING HAS ITS ROOT IN GOD
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.
Paul continues to write to the Philippians about how they should approach their lives. He focuses their attention on two areas as they deal with anxious situations in their lives. These two areas are the foundation of making the choice to rejoice.
First, Paul shares with us in verse 6 that we are to pray and ask God about all things in our lives. Prayer is communication with God and is the first area where we can show we are rejoicing. Prayer is a choice. Prayer is not something that automatically happens, but rather prayer is us stopping, pausing, and directing our minds and hearts to God. We can get to busy to pray. We can forget about praying because we think praying is pointless. We can do what we want and avoid praying. We can be too angry to pray. Or we can just pray to God as a last resort.
We have a need… ask Him.
We have a problem… bring it to Him.
We have a medical scare… share your fear with God.
We are stressed over our children or grandchildren… express that stress to God.
We have a car wreck… ask Him to work it for your good.
We have disappointing people… pray for them.
The first step in choosing to rejoice in our lives is keeping God in view in all things in our lives. Without prayer, making the choice to rejoice is not possible because rejoicing has its root in God.
Second, Paul shares with us in verse 8 that we are to make a discipline of thinking about Godly things. Paul shares with us that our thought life determines our reality. How we act comes from how we think. How we react comes from how we think. How we feel on the inside comes from what our mind settles on. The words that come out of our mouths are a direct result of what is going on in our hearts (Matthew 12:34). Because of this, Paul tells us to focus our thoughts in certain areas on a regular basis:
Truth, Rightness, Purity, Love, Admiration, Excellence, Praise
These seven areas are the core of good holy Christian thinking. When we focus on them, our hearts and minds and spirits will be in a right state to rejoice in any and all circumstances. Other kinds of thoughts can come into us and crowd these out. We can focus on lies, being wronged, impurity, hate, selfishness, laziness, or entitlement and our perspective about life will become quite poor.
The second step in choosing to rejoice in our lives is keeping our mind centered on Godly things. Without a discipline of directing our hearts and minds heavenward, we cannot rejoice because we will drift into ourselves and stay there.
THREAD: MAKE THE CHOICE TO REJOICE
READ PHILIPPIANS 4:9-13: REJOICING AMIDST HARDSHIPS
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
I hope that you know that the Apostle Paul did not live a life that was free from hardship. He was a travelling evangelist for Jesus Christ who was often in physical danger and often in need. In the verses we just read, Paul again in verse 10 focuses us on rejoicing. Paul speaks about a few of his hardships in the midst of the rejoicing he describes. He has felt alone. He has been isolated. He has been physically hungry. He has needed clothing or shelter. He has had a deep want in the pit of his stomach.
Please notice that the often quoted Philippians 4:13 about us doing all things through Christ has a context of being content with money and physical material things in the midst of hardships. Paul found that the only way he could be content with his financial circumstances was through his faith in Christ. He was not overwhelmed by loneliness or hunger or want because he was relying on Jesus for his worth and for his strength. Faith gave Paul the proper direction in hardships. Faith in Christ gave Paul the foundation for rejoicing in the midst of hardships.
THREAD: MAKE THE CHOICE TO REJOICE
READ PHILIPPIANS 4:14-23: REJOICING AMIDST ANSWERED PRAYER
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. 22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
The Apostle Paul, as he ends his letter to the Church in Philippi, thinks back on his interactions with them over the years. Paul travelled from place to place teaching about Jesus and investing the lives of all the people around him. He at times was only scraping by. The Church in Philippi, according to verses 15-16, supported Paul in his work.
Now, as Paul thinks about his ministry in verse 18, Paul has the supplies he needs. I imagine this means food, clothes, money for travel, and money for shelter. He says in verse 18 that he has all he needs and more. He even just received gifts from the Philippians and he is thankful. The gifts they sent were an answer to prayer. Paul prayed that his work would continue and he relied on Jesus Christ for his strength to continue.
Verse 18 shares with us that in the midst of this answered prayer that he is rejoicing in God. He is thankful to the Philippians for sending Epaphroditus with gifts. He is thankful to God for the sacrifices they made for him. He rejoices that these gifts are a fragrant offering to God and that God would return the blessings the Philippians sent back to them. Paul gives credit to God for the generosity of God’s people in Philippi and praises God for his provision. What is that? That is rejoicing!
THREAD: MAKE THE CHOICE TO REJOICE
As we think about this statement about choosing to rejoice, I would like to close with 2 stories. Both of them highlight what we are driving at this morning. The Christian way of life is choosing to think on God and praise God in the midst of whatever is going on. This is not automatic, but a choice and a discipline we must make part of us. The first story is about Thanksgiving and the second story is personal.
ILLUSTRATION… http://www.sermoncentral.com/illustrations/sermon-illustration-bobby-scobey-stories-thanksgivingholiday-74017.asp
One Thanksgiving season a family was seated around their table, looking at the annual holiday bird. From the oldest to the youngest, the parents told their children they were to express their praise. When they came to the five-year-old in the family, he began by looking at the turkey and expressing his thanks to the turkey, saying although he had not tasted it he knew it would be good.
After that expression of thanksgiving, he began with a more predictable line of credits, thanking his mother for cooking the turkey and his father for buying the turkey. Some of the older kids rolled their eyes. But then he went beyond that. He joined together a whole hidden multitude of benefactors, linking them with cause and effect. He said, "I thank you for the checker at the grocery store who checked out the turkey. I thank you for the grocery store people who put it in the meat case. I thank you for the farmer who made it fat. I thank you for the man who made the feed. I thank you for those who brought the turkey to the store."
Using his Columbo-like little mind, he traced the turkey all the way from its origin to his plate. And then at the end he solemnly said, "Did I leave anybody out?"
His older brother, embarrassed by all those proceedings, said, "God." Solemnly and without being flustered at all, the five-year-old said, "I was about to get to him."
As we think about making the choice to rejoice in our lives, God should not be left out of our thankfulness and acknowledgement of what is good, but rather God should be the first One we praise and pray to when rejoicing occurs.
ILLUSTRATION… Selling Our House in PA (p)
I was going through some old papers last month as we were cleaning out some boxes and files and I came across the paperwork when we sold our house in Pennsylvania. When our family moved here over 10 years ago, Kelly and I had a house to sell. I thought the house was nice. It had real wood floors, two stories, and it was the first house we had ever owned. We honestly could not afford the house. The house payment and taxes and upkeep were more than we could handle. It probably will be the last house we own, but that is another story. Anyway, we put our house on the market and were desperate to sell it. We had somewhere else to be. I had a job waiting for me here. We had set down roots in Pennsylvania, but we were supposed to be elsewhere. We packed up the house. We moved. We had not sold the house because the town wasn’t growing and selling a house was difficult. That meant we were paying for a house that we did not live in. We were maintaining a house we could not see. That is a great amount of stress.
I remember praying that God would provide a buyer and they would take the house “as is” and would give us the bare minimum we needed to pay off the mortgage and be out from under a house that we no longer lived in 1100 miles away. While we waited for the house to sell, we prayed. While we waited for the house to sell, we trusted that God would work for our good. If I remember correctly, we waited for 6 months. 6 months of paying for a place that we could not see. Was the place in disrepair? Would the pipes burst in the winter and we would have a mess so far away? Finally, we did sell our house after 6 months of stress and worry and financial strain. Finally, we did get out from under the mortgage. What did we do? We rejoiced and thanked God that He provided a buyer. We rejoiced that we were here and not there. We rejoiced that God’s timing is perfect. We rejoiced in the hard “adult” lessons God had taught us.
APPLICATION
Maybe you have heard these:
“It is what it is”
“Everything happens for a reason”
“Every cloud has a silver lining”
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger… except for bears… bears will definitely kill you.”
Those are flat platitudes that in the end are not really helpful.
What about this one?
THREAD: MAKE THE CHOICE TO REJOICE
CONCLUSION IN PRAYER
