Philippians 3

Rejoicing in the Lord

MP: Rejoice in the Lord, from him comes our justification, sanctification, and glorification.

Intro:

Isaac Watts was a hymn writer and theologian in the late 1600s. You may know his best known hymn. We often sing it around Christmas time. Joy to the world. He wrote others such as Alas! Did my Savior bleed and When I survey the wondrous cross.

For Watts his desire was to bring forth the gospel in his music.

Watts wrote this in When I survey the wondrous cross:

When I Survey the wondrous cross

on which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

and pour contempt on all my pride

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God!

All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.

What do you see when you survey the wondrous cross. When you think about the gospel, do you boast in only Christ’s death? Do you rejoice in the things that describe him?

As we continue to walk through the book of Philippians, remember that Paul is writing to the church in Philippi to remind the church that their joy should be seen in Christ not in their comfort.

Paul in the third chapter provides for us an understanding of our justification, sanctification and our glorification.

This morning I want us to see this,

MP: Rejoice in the Lord, from him comes our justification, sanctification, and glorification.

1)Rejoicing in the Lord comes from our justification in Jesus (3:1-11)

2) Rejoicing in the Lord comes from sanctification by Jesus (3:12-16)

3) Rejoicing in the Lord comes in expectation of our Glorification in Jesus (3:17-21)

May we sing with Watts the rest of the lyrics too.

Isaac Watts, When I survey the wondrous cross……

See from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.