Sermon 092996

Phi. 3:1a                Brethren, Rejoice in the Lord                                              9/29/96

ABCC

I.   Introduction and Review (ch. 1-2) - The pathway to Joy                                           539

     A. Thanksgiving & prayer for others (1:3-11)

     B. Discerning God’s purposes in your life & circumstances (1:12-30)

     C. A lifestyle of humility toward other people & obedience to Christ (2:1-18)

     D. Finding hope & encouragement in the Lord (2:19-30)

II.  The Unity of Christians (v. 1a) = “my brethren”

     A. Every Christian is a sinner saved by God’s grace (Eph. 2:8-9)

     B. Every Christian’s hope is centered in Christ (Col. 1:27b)

     C. Every Christian wrestles with indwelling sin (Rom. 7:14-25)

     D. Every Christian has victory over sin, devil & world in Christ (Rom. 8:37-39)

     E. Every Christian has a glorious eternal future with Christ (Jn. 14:1-3)

     F. Read Eph. 4:4-6

The Christian has more in common than any other created being.  The depth, root, strength of our unity is found in God Himself.  He is our Father and we are His children - we are truly in God’s family.  We have been united for all TIME and ETERNITY.  Nothing can separate us from the love of God or each other!

III. Reasons for Rejoicing

     A. We are commanded to do so (3:1; 2:18; 1Th. 5:16; Rev.12:11-12; Dt. 12:12;

           Ps. 2:11-12; 95:1-2; 98:4)

My Brethren, Rejoice in the Lord, pg. 2

     B. Jesus is Lord & ruler of our lives (1:6)

     C. Jesus Christ has destroyed the works of the devil (1Jn. 3:8b; Jn. 16:33)

     D. It brings glory to God (Gal. 3:23)

     E. Strength to resist the devil & persevere in life (Neh. 8:10b; Ps. 105:43; Jas. 1:2-3)

     F. Encouragement to other believers (Ps. 34:1-3) - it’s contagious!

     G. Testimony & witness (Jn. 3:27-30) - it’s attractive!

People are really not attracted to a Christian that is consistently miserable & it certainly brings no glory to Christ the Lord!

IV. How to Rejoice in the Lord

·        What reasons do I have not to rejoice?  (circumstances, failures, lost souls..)

·        What reasons do I have to rejoice?  (Christ & His work of redemption, His perfect & eternal love, guidance, power, authority, wisdom, plans & purposes, Holy Spirit, peace, promises, heaven, no more crying, mourning, pain, sickness, death, bills, employers, sleepless nights, cars, appliances, etc.)

·        Why am I not rejoicing when I have every reason to be?

What does it take for you to rejoice my brother/sister?  Are you waiting for something before you rejoice?  Christ has given us everything necessary for life, godliness & rejoicing!  Yield to the Spirit of Christ now;  stop grieving Him, stop quenching Him.

Hab. 3:2,17-19