Go! And Rejoice Always
Philippians 4:4 (NLT) – “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
Introduction: A Command That Seems Impossible
If I were to stand before you today and say, “Be joyful—always,” some of you might smile politely, while others might think, “Dean, that’s easier said than done.”
Because, let’s be honest—joy seems hard to find in a world that feels broken.
Our news feeds are filled with fear, our workplaces with pressure, our homes with busyness, and our hearts often with anxiety.
And yet, Paul writes this remarkable command from a prison cell:
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
This is not the shallow happiness of circumstance. This is deep, soul-rooted joy in Christ—a joy that sings in the dark, that worships in the storm, and that stands firm when the world shakes.
The title of today’s message in our “Go! And…” series is:
“Go! And Rejoice Always”
Because in Christ, joy is not optional—it’s essential. It’s a witness to the world that our God is greater than our circumstances.
1. The Command to Rejoice (Philippians 4:4)
Let’s read the verse again in the New Living Translation:
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
Paul repeats himself because he knows how quickly we forget.
The Greek word for “rejoice” is ?a??? (chairo), meaning to be glad, to delight in, to take great joy. It carries the sense of an active choice, not a passive emotion.
Paul isn’t saying “be happy if you feel like it.” He’s saying choose joy, because joy is not rooted in how life feels but in who the Lord is.
When Paul wrote these words, he was chained under Roman guard, awaiting trial before Caesar. Yet his heart was free, his mouth was full of praise, and his joy was unstoppable.
Habakkuk 3:17–18 (NLT): “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!”
Habakkuk uses the Hebrew verb ?alas (?????) — “to exult, to jump for joy.”
This is joy in spite of circumstances. It’s the decision to praise when everything else screams “panic.”
Habakkuk’s fields were empty, but his faith was full. His joy was not in the harvest but in the God of his salvation.
And that’s where Paul’s joy came from too—not from his situation, but from his Saviour.
The Prison Singer
There’s a true story of two missionaries imprisoned in a foreign land.
Every night, they were beaten and left in darkness. But one evening, one of them began to sing:
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound…”
The other joined in. Soon, the entire cell block was echoing with praise.
When they were released, one said, “Those nights of singing were the sweetest fellowship with Christ I’ve ever known.”
That’s what Paul meant—joy in the Lord transcends pain.
You may not always be happy, but you can always rejoice, because Jesus is with you.
2. The Source of Joy – “In the Lord”
Notice Paul’s phrase: “in the Lord.”
This is not positive thinking or self-help optimism. This is Christ-centred joy.
Our joy is anchored in the unchanging character of Jesus—His love, His promises, His presence, His power.
John 15:9–11 (NLT): “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.
When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”
Jesus Himself is the source of overflowing joy.
The Greek word for “overflow”—pleroo (p?????)—means to be filled to the brim.
Joy in Christ is not a trickle; it’s a flood.
And notice what it’s rooted in—obedience and relationship.
When we walk with Jesus, our hearts align with His, and His joy becomes ours.
John Piper wrote, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
When our satisfaction is in Christ, joy becomes our natural response.
That’s the secret of Philippians 4:4—joy is not found in freedom from suffering, but in fellowship with the Saviour.
3. The Power of Joy – A Testimony to the World
Joy is not just a personal blessing—it’s a public witness.
In a dark world, joy shines bright. It tells the world, “My God is faithful.”
Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT): “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
The Hebrew word ?edvah (???????) means “gladness, delight.”
When Nehemiah spoke these words, the people of Israel were weeping as they heard God’s Word—they realised how far they had fallen.
But Nehemiah told them: “Don’t weep—rejoice, because God is restoring you!”
The joy of the Lord is not denial; it’s dependence.
Joy is the strength that comes from knowing your sins are forgiven and your eternity is secure in Christ.
The Radiant Refugee
A missionary once met a Christian woman in a refugee camp. She had lost her home, her husband, and her health. Yet her face radiated peace.
When asked, “How can you still be joyful?” she replied,
“They can take away my house, my freedom, even my family—but they can never take away Jesus from my heart.”
That’s Philippians 4:4 lived out. That’s Gospel joy.
Romans 5:1–5 (NLT): “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
Paul’s theology of joy is built on the Gospel:
Justification (we’ve been made right with God),
Peace (we are reconciled),
Hope (we look to eternal glory).
Joy is the natural fruit of salvation.
Charles Stanley once said, “True joy is found not in what we have, but in whose we are.”
And friends, if you belong to Jesus, you are loved, forgiven, and eternally secure.
That’s a reason to rejoice—always.
4. The Gospel and the Joy of Salvation
The ultimate source of Christian joy is the Gospel itself.
Because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took our sin upon Himself.
He was crucified, died, and was buried—but on the third day, He rose again.
His resurrection broke the power of sin and death.
Through faith in Him, we are forgiven, redeemed, and made new.
That’s why even in sorrow, Christians can sing.
Because the tomb is empty, and the throne is occupied.
Tim Keller once said, “The Gospel is not just the ABC of Christianity; it’s the A to Z.”
Every moment of joy flows from this reality—Jesus is alive, and He reigns as Lord.
5. The Application: Living Joyfully in the 21st Century
So how do we rejoice always today—in the chaos of modern life, in the age of anxiety, in the storms of uncertainty?
Let me give you three practical ways:
(1) Refocus Daily on Jesus.
Joy begins with perspective. Take time each day to thank God for His grace, to meditate on His promises, and to remember the cross.
(2) Refuse to Let Circumstances Steal Your Praise.
When life feels heavy, worship anyway. Pray anyway. Sing anyway. Because joy grows when it’s exercised.
(3) Reflect Christ’s Joy to Others.
Be a carrier of hope. Let your smile, your words, your compassion show others that Jesus is alive in you.
A Call to Faith:
If you don’t yet know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, today can be your day of salvation.
Real joy—eternal joy—begins when you repent of your sin and put your trust in Jesus.
He died for you. He rose for you. And He is calling you to Himself.
If you will believe in Him, confess Him as Lord, and receive Him by faith, He will fill you with His Spirit—and with His joy.
Benediction / Exhortation:
Friends, whatever you face this week—
Remember: The Lord is near.
Let His joy be your strength, His peace be your guard, and His love be your song.
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
Go, and rejoice always.
Go, and let your joy be a living testimony that Jesus Christ is Lord.
