Rejoice in the Lord - Pt. 1
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This passage starts with “finally...” which might accidentally serve as a false indication that the letter is almost done. Sometimes preachers do that ;)
“In conclusion...” the little boy asks, what does that mean? “Absolutely nothing, son.”
But really, the word finally here means “now, to the rest...”
There is a change in pace here. The beginning of the letter has been mostly about fellowship and partnership in the Gospel, and that remains the theme of the letter. Moving forward, there are some very specific things, though, that Paul wants to address.
Righteousness in Christ
Faith in Christ
False Teachers
Making soured relationships whole again
Anxiety and Peace
Being Content
So, “to the rest,” to all these things that will address almost every part of life, The encouragement and exhortation is this - Rejoice in the Lord.
Because of the Lord and being found in Him by faith, we can truly rejoice.
Because of the Lord and being found in Him by faith, we can truly rejoice.
1. Joy as a Faithful Endeavor
1. Joy as a Faithful Endeavor
Faith-ful, part of our faithfulness because
it is an act of obedience
It is in looking to the Lord
Rejoice - an imperative
More than Happiness
Happy - Hap - happenstance, what happens that brings joy. It is really a subjective thing, and a passive thing. Emotion based on good circumstances.
It can feel a bit disconnected to look at joy as something we have to “obey,” but we need to see that distinction. That it isn’t to be circumstantial.
Ex. A number of times when visiting those who are very ill or near death, yet their presence is a joyful encouragement to me - that is a person who is rejoicing in the Lord - obeying the call of Christian joy.
It is a act of obedience, but it is not separate from the phrase that follows it - in fact, Christian joy can never be separate from this phrase - in the Lord.
In the Lord, positionally.
Philippians 1:1 - the Saints in Christ Jesus.
Later in this chapter, “being found in him, with a righteousness that comes through faith.”
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Joy in the Lord, positionally - the root and foundation of it, the well from which it springs.
Joy in the Lord, as the object of our faith and focus - Looking to Jesus.
Our position does not change, but our focus often does.
Peter, walking on water, when his eyes left Jesus, his focus turned to the waves and he began to sink and despair.
John Newton, who wrote Amazing Grace, about his wonderful conversion - he speaks of his eyes being opened and his lost soul being found miraculously, something that all Christians share.
Yet he also wrote another song, which speaks of his walk of faith.
“How Tedious and Tasteless the Hours”
- How tedious and tasteless the hours
When Jesus no longer I see!
Sweet prospects, sweet birds, and sweet flowers,
Have all lost their sweetness to me;
The midsummer sun shines but dim,
The fields strive in vain to look gay;
But when I am happy in Him,
December's as pleasant as May.
There are times when our focus on the Lord diminishes - and it is never because his presence has distanced, it is due to the cloudiness of our own vision.
What causes this cloudiness?
Whatever tempts us to lose the sense of the sweetness of our Savior.
May it be sin
Distraction by pain or sorrow
The seeking of selfish ambition
In all of these things, the imperative is the same - to again rejoice in the Lord
regain our focus on Him
See His sweetness and Goodness yet again
pursue the means of personal revival
Often comes down to the very simple tasks of looking to Him in His Word, Seeking Him in Prayer, and Being in fellowship with our brothers and sisters who will encourage us.
2. Joy as a Friendly Encouragement
2. Joy as a Friendly Encouragement
“No trouble to me… to you it is safe”
This reminder is part of a common greeting in letters, and reminds us that Paul is writing as a teacher, as an Apostle, but also as a friend who wants the Spiritual best for his friends who he loves.
This is an example for us, to build one another up.
This brings us back to the theme of being Partners in the Gospel - how that the Lord has designed us to need one another and to function together in His good plan.
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Sometimes those are hard words
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Sometimes those are just the regular words of encouragement and regular fellowship
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
In our meeting, gathering, fellowship, and help for one another, we can never go wrong with encouraging one another to rejoice in the Lord.
Does not mean “get over your sorrow or trouble.”
Does not mean “here, this will fix it.”
Does mean, reminding of the main thing in all things.
Does mean, centering the trouble and all of life on the only thing that will give meaning.
There is nothing else “safe” to point one another to for a constant help and hope.
Sometimes, though, we have to remind ourselves of our need to rejoice in the Lord.
It can be a moment-by-moment battle for some people in some days.
In those cases, it is truly a battle of the mind, for the mind.
Homework, make a list of 10 reasons why you might rejoice in the Lord this week. Meditate on them, and watch that list grow.
A practice like this is a healthy exercise in the moment, and it is also preparing for when it is harder to think of those things. Insurance against a day of serious testing and temptation.
Rejoicing in the Lord will serve as a safeguard through life.
3. Joy as Facing the Facts
3. Joy as Facing the Facts
“finally… To write the same thing...”
To all these things, Rejoice in the Lord.
Facing the Facts - all things.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Ron Hamilton, Patch the Pirate
Rejoice in the Lord Song