THE CHOICE TO REJOICE
Philip. 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
I. REJOICE IN THE WORD
a. The Powerful Word
b. The Planted Word
II. REJOICE IN SERVICE
a. Sacrificial Service
b. Single-Minded Service
III. REJOICE IN THE LORD
a. Rejoice Always
b. Rejoice Greatly
We look tonight into the book of Philippians which is one of the Prison Epistles of Paul along with Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesians.
While in Jerusalem preaching the Gospel at one point, Paul became embroiled in a legal quagmire that dragged on for a period of about 2 years that landed him in Prison.
The Jews in Jerusalem had become incensed that Paul had come into the city preaching the Gospel, and had also brought Greeks into the temple which to them was an act worthy of death. The entire account of this can be read in Acts 21-28.
Paul asked to speak to the people, and in spite of his words and pleadings with the people to consider the cause of Christ, and His resurrection, they still called for his death.
Paul eventually had to bring out the fact that he was a Roman Citizen in order to avoid being beaten, and he eventually ended up in Rome in prison.
The "prison" that he was in was actually a form of house arrest where he was able to have a certain degree of freedoms, one of which was writing letters to some of the churches, hence we are able to read the "prison epistles" today.
As we look into the book of Philippians, we see a theme that develops in the book, where Paul not only considers himself a "slave of Jesus Christ", but also he encourages the reader of his letter to "rejoice in the Lord"
Many have called this "rejoice in the Lord" theme, the Keystone of the entire letter to the Philippians.
I know I shouldn’t have to define what a Keystone is to Pennsylanians, but for those who are unsure of it’s meaning, here it is...
The central supporting element of a whole.
Pennsylvania is called the Keystone State because it was the central state of the Union at the writing of the Constitution.
So, as we realize Paul is in Prison with no freedom to go where he wants to go, and do what he wants to do, we see a theme that continues to rise to the top, and that is "rejoice in the Lord"!
We’re going to look at this today, and see the "Choice To Rejoice" that each one of us can make as we live this Christian life.
We realize today that if we are going to Rejoice, then we must first have a reason to rejoice, and then if we have a reason to rejoice, then we need to make "the choice to rejoice".
First of all, I believe we can
I. REJOICE IN THE PREACHED WORD
Philip. 1:18
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
One of many things we notice immediately about the Apostle Paul, and that is that he had a very selfless attitude.
He knew that some were preaching to build their own reputations, taking advantage of Paul’s imprisonment to try to make a name for themselves.
Regardless of the motives of these preachers, Paul rejoiced that the gospel was being preached.
Some Christians serve for the wrong reasons. Paul wouldn’t condone, nor does God excuse, their motives, but we should be glad if God uses their message, regardless of their motives.
Paul had no desire to get into a shouting match over whose territory was whose, and whose loyalty belongs where.
There was one thing he was concerned about, and that was that
the Word of God was being preached, and when he considered that fact in light of his own name and reputation being slandered, he gladly rejoiced in the Word of God being preached.
He knew that as long as the Word of God was being preached that people were being set free, saved, and healed, and God was being glorified.
He was rejoicing, because the Word is
a. The Powerful Word -
Luke 4:32
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
Luke 4:36
And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
This same Word that Jesus preached that brought life while he walked the shores of Galilee, and the dusty roads, was the same Word that Paul was preaching at every opportunity he had!
Not only was this Word a Powerful Word that was going forth, it was also...
b. The Planted Word -
Luke 8:11
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Paul knew that he was laboring in the vineyard of God, and that his main task was to be a seed planter.
Now, we know today that the greater joy that one might experience in the Kingdom of God might be on the other end of the planting experience, and that would be harvesting day.
When a person plants a seed, we know that it takes a while for that seed to germinate and grow through the rains that fall, and the sun that shines.
Paul did not get overcome with who finally gets the "credit" of bringing in the harvest, but his joy came from knowing that he simply had a part in the planting of the seed of the Gospel in someones’ life.
We see an indication of this in - 1 Cor. 3:6
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
He was a missionary pioneer; he brought the message of salvation. Apollos’s role was to water—to help the believers grow stronger in the faith.
Paul founded the church in Corinth, and Apollos built on that foundation.
Tragically, the believers in Corinth had split into factions, pledging loyalty to different teachers (see 1 Cor. 1:11-13). Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and Christ.
Paul was not about getting caught up into personalities, and it seems was perfectly content and even joyful with someone else, not only sharing the credit, but receiving the credit.
Just rejoice in the realization today that you can have a vital part in the kingdom of God!
Children’s Ministries leaders...never look down on what you do as unimportant. Have the attitude of Paul, that even though he knew he was only planting the seed, that eventually, there was going to be a harvest!
I’m sure there were times he was tempted to be envious, or have a desire to get even with those who defamed him, but he made "the choice to rejoice"
Rejoice In The Word - The Powerful Word, and The Planted Word!
Not only did Paul make the "choice to rejoice" in the Word, but we see also his Choice to:
II. REJOICE IN SERVICE
Philip. 2:17
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
Even if he had to die, Paul was content, knowing that he had helped the Philippians live for Christ. When you’re totally committed to serving Christ, sacrificing to build the faith of others brings a joyous reward.
This service he was in was:
a. A Sacrificial Service - Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Paul had no grand illusions about what the future held if he stayed on the course that he was presently on.
To preach the Gospel of Christ in the Jewish land of that day was not something one did to become popular, and settle down to a life of ease and comfort, and then retire at a ripe old age.
Paul was a man who was investing his all into the spreading of the Good News, and he knew that ultimately that course was going to lead him to die a martyr’s death.
On more than one occasion, he expressed his confidence that
he would ultimately be victorious, even if it meant his own death.
Philip. 1:21
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
This would not be Paul’s final days in Rome, nor would it be his final imprisonment, but he had no way of knowing that at the moment of writing the letter to the Philippians.
For all he knew at this time, he could be "going down for the last time", but Paul was fully persuaded that nothing was going to separate him from the love of Christ.
When we are in service for the Lord, there are times we may feel
like we are going down for the last time, but God give us a faith like Paul’s that says, If I go down, I’m going down with a shout on my lips, and rejoicing rising from my innermost being!
Not only was it a Sacrificial Service on Paul’s part, but it was also
b. Single-Minded Service -
Ephes. 6:7
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
I suppose one of the more difficult areas in ministry is to remember that what we are doing is ultimately to bring glory and honor to God.
We must realize that light does not emanate from us, but we are simply a reflection of the light that shines upon us, and that light is Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 2:2
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Paul was a brilliant scholar, and could easily have overwhelmed people with his intellect, and grasp at the knowledge of God, and the things of God.
Instead, we know that Paul allowed the Holy Spirit to guide him as he ministered to others, and was able to relate the gospel in a way that was understandable and effective to the hearer.
His service was single-minded service, and that was the advancement of the Kingdom of God through the preaching of the cross that to the world at that time was simply foolishness.
We must remember in all we do in our service to the Lord that our focus must remain on Jesus Christ. Yes, we realize that many of the methods have changed, especially in this past century, but the message of the Gospel must not be watered down to fit into our narrow-minded molds.
Not only did Paul Rejoice In The Word, and Rejoice In The Service, but he also made a choice to:
III. REJOICE IN THE LORD -
Philip. 3:1
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Paul uses the word finally, here, but the book of Philippians goes on for another chapter as Paul begins to circle for a landing, but
like many preachers of his day, and even ours, could not seem to find a place to land as he kept talking about the goodness and greatness of Christ.
We read in vs. 8 of chapter that Paul considers everything he gained in terms of privilege and learning, and law, - garbage or rubbish in light of knowing Jesus Christ, his Lord.
In vs. 10, we read of the focus that Paul had:
Philip. 3:10
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
I believe that if anyone knew a lot of important people, it was Paul the Apostle, but he made it clear to the reader that there is one that he desires to know more than all of these, and that is Jesus Christ!
He went on to talk about the value of putting things in the past that belong there, and forget those things that are behind, and press on towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of Christ.
Then he got his mind on to heaven in vs. 20 where he made it clear that our citizenship is in heaven! Don’t get discouraged with the enemies of the cross all around us, but realize that this earth is not our home, and one day Jesus Christ will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body...
Knowing he could not stop here, he continued on for another chapter, encouraging and reminding them to "make a choice to rejoice".
As he was centering around the topic of rejoicing in the Lord, we read We read in vs. 4 that he tells them to:
a. Rejoice Always -
Philip. 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
It may seem a bit strange for a man in prison to be exhorting the church to continue to rejoice. You would think that this message would be coming from the church to Paul!
But we often do not know what we have until we no longer have it.
Numerous times I have made visits to people in hospitals or nursing homes, and have walked out feeling like I received more encouragement than they have!
While Paul was in prison, he found a way to dig a well, and draw water of strength and joy and peace so many times that he had to encourage others to draw from the well too!
1 Thes. 5:16
Rejoice evermore.
Paul was teaching the church a tremendous lesson from prison, and that was that our inner attitude does not need to reflect the surroundings around us.
If we wait for everything to be perfect before we will rejoice in the Lord, then we will find that we never are able to rejoice, but if like Paul of old, we will look to the hills from whence cometh our help, we will find that there is water in the midst of the desert, and there is peace in the midst of the storm, and we not only can praise and rejoice in the Good times, but in the bad times as well.
Paul was saying here, don’t just rejoice in the Lord once in a while when you feel like doing it, but rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, REJOICE!
In this great Choice to rejoice in the Lord, don’t just rejoice always, but as we see in vs. 10 of chapter 4:
b. Rejoice Greatly -
Philip. 4:10
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Then he went on to say that even though you are meeting my needs at this present time, I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I am in.
He knew what it was to be in need, but also to have plenty, and either way, he could rejoice Greatly!
Paul could rejoice because he was focused upon what he had to do, as opposed to what he had to have to make him happy. His joy derived from obedient service to his master, not from the things surrounding him.
Paul said that he rejoice greatly in the Lord! This was not a peep here, and a whisper there, but I believe at every opportunity Paul was the first one to lift his heart and hands in praise!
Psalm 33:3
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
Psalm 98:4
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
Psalm 150:5
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Psalm 109:30
I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.
In all of these verses though, and when taking a look at the life of Paul, there is a choice to be made, and that is "the choice to rejoice" -
