Understand and embrace the joy of rejoicing in God, the power of trusting in Him, and the blessing of pursuing Him, as illustrated in Philippians 3:1-11.
Good morning, family! I'm so excited to share with you today from a part of Scripture that is near and dear to my heart. We're going to be diving into Philippians 3:1-11.
As C. S. Lewis once penned, "God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself because it is not there. There is no such thing."
Let's look at the words of Paul in this passage:
When we rejoice in God, we are expressing our delight, our happiness, and our satisfaction in Him. We are celebrating His goodness, His love, and His mercy. We are acknowledging that He is the source of all that is good in our lives. This is not just a passive appreciation, but an active, enthusiastic, and heartfelt expression of joy.
Not dependent on our circumstances: It's not something we do only when things are going well, when we're feeling happy, or when we're experiencing success. Rather, it's a constant attitude and action that we maintain regardless of what's happening around us. It's a joy that transcends our circumstances, a joy that is rooted in our relationship with God and our knowledge of who He is and what He has done for us.
Not a fleeting emotion, but a deep-seated state of being: It's a joy that is grounded in the reality of God's unchanging nature, His unfailing love, and His unending faithfulness. It's a joy that is fueled by our faith in God, our hope in His promises, and our love for Him. It's a joy that is nourished by our regular communion with God through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word.
Involves a shift in our perspective: It involves seeing things from God's perspective rather than our own. It involves recognizing that God is in control, that He is working all things together for our good, and that He has a plan and purpose for our lives. It involves trusting in God's wisdom, surrendering to His will, and resting in His peace. It involves letting go of our worries, our fears, and our doubts, and embracing God's assurance, God's comfort, and God's strength.
A testimony to others: It's a visible demonstration of our faith, our hope, and our love. It's a compelling witness to the reality of God, the relevance of the Gospel, and the transformation that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. It's a potent proclamation of the difference that God makes in our lives, the difference that God can make in the lives of others, and the difference that God will make in the world.
Not just a duty, but a delight: It's not just a command, but a privilege. It's not just a requirement, but a reward. It's not just a responsibility, but a blessing. It's not just a task, but a treasure. It's not just a burden, but a joy. The joy of rejoicing in God is a gift that we receive, a gift that we share, and a gift that we celebrate.
Trusting in God is not just a mere mental assent or a passive belief in His existence ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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