Rejoice In Jesus

JUNE 6, 2021 STUDY NOTES PHILIPPIANS 3:1 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES REJOICE IN JESUS INTRODUCTION Paul speaks often of joy or rejoicing in Philippians, he is telling us to “Rejoice in Jesus” Christians are to rejoice in Jesus regardless of the circumstances we face in life Satan seeks to steal our joy from us in the times of troubles and trials, he seeks to discourage us Regardless of what we are facing in life we are to trust in Jesus and “REJOICE IN JESUS” To trust in Jesus does not always mean that your circumstances will change, they may not But trust Jesus and He will change you within your time of trial and trouble and you can rejoice Php 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. People hear a preacher say “finally” and they get excited thinking the sermon is about to end But finally, could mean I have “finally” got to my message for today Paul did not mean that he was about to close the letter, he was only half-way through writing In the next chapter he says “finally” again, Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Paul uses “finally” as an emphasis, he calls to our attention the importance of his words His words are important to those he calls MY BRETHREN, Christians are the “brethren” What Paul says in this verse is certainly important for the Christian of today, we need to hear him He is telling us that not only do we need to hear it, we need to hear it over and over again To REJOICE IN THE LORD is a command, Christians are to keep on rejoicing Paul gave the same message to the Thessalonians, 1Th 5:16 Rejoice evermore. The Christian is to always rejoice, something that only a Christian can do Rejoicing at all times through all things is not a natural response, it is a supernatural action We must be daily filled with the Holy Spirit in-order to rejoice in all things, Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Another command) Be influenced by the Holy Spirit and live-in obedience to God’s Word, Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (Another command) Rejoicing and obedience toward God and His Word must be habitual, our daily habit of life The joy of the Christian life was very important to Paul, it must be important to us today The advertising world promotes happiness and joy, but they do not know the truth of joy Apart from Jesus in our life there is no joy, there can be happiness but not true joy Everyone is happy when everything about our life is good and going our way, the way we want it But happiness is based upon happenstance and the happenings of our life can quickly change Christian joy is not based upon the right circumstances of life, but the right relationship in life Paul explains to us the right relationship, we are to rejoice “in the Lord” “In the Lord” is an important relationship to Paul, he wants us to understand what it means Paul uses the phrase “in the Lord” 9 times in his letter to the Philippians, Php 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Page 1 of 5 “In the Lord” identifies those who are saved, Paul says he knows that they were saved The evidence of their salvation was their boldness to share the gospel of Jesus to the lost They could speak to the lost without fear because they were “in the Lord” Today we are in need of many more Christians who are “much more bold” to proclaim the gospel Php 2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. Paul’s faith, trust, and hope was “in the Lord,” the decisions he made each day were in the Lord It was the way that Paul lived, his thinking, his words, his decisions, were centered in Christ Php 2:24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Paul’s confidence was “in the Lord,” which is why he was submissive to the Lord’s will Paul instructed the Philippians to be submissive to the Lord’s will, Php 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: “Receive him” has within it the thought of fellowship, which is Christian fellowship Christian Fellowship is “in the Lord,” Satan seeks to destroy the relationship of “in the Lord” Paul called upon the Philippians to do what all Christians should do, Php 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. “Stand fast” is another command, we must stay true to the Lord through all circumstances of life To “Rejoice in Jesus” is the evidence of standing fast in the Lord and a sign of spiritual strength Paul said that as Christians we are to be of the “same mind,” Php 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. The only way we can be of the same mind is to be “in the Lord,” which takes us back to, Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Through the mind of Christ, we can “rejoice in Jesus,” Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (Another command) We are to “rejoice in Jesus” under all circumstances, at all times, no matter how difficult they are The only way we can do that is “in the Lord,” spiritual strength and rejoicing must hold hands The last time Paul uses the phrase “in the Lord” in Philippians is, Php 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. Paul sums it all up for us in this verse, bringing it all together, “rejoicing” and “in the Lord” This is the last time we find “rejoicing” and the last time we find “in the Lord” in Philippians Pay attention to the word “greatly,” Paul made a special selection of a word to express himself This is the only time the original Greek translated “greatly” is found in the NT Attempting to explain his joy in Jesus was not easy, he searched for a word to explain it “Greatly” signifies a specific experience of joy, much more than you would ever expect The meaning is much more than great, it is very great, exceedingly great, beyond expression Paul is telling us that to “Rejoice in Jesus” is difficult to express in words, it is hard to tell others But others can see the evidence of rejoicing in Jesus as you experience it, what a testimony it is That is why Paul commands us to rejoice in the Lord, Php 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 did not simply say “rejoice,” it is not that simple, he said, “rejoice in the Lord” You may be unhappy because of your health, wealth, circumstances, or a family situation Paul did not say, hang in there, keep your chin up, you know God loves you, it can get worse It can get worse, when it does, we are to stand in “Grace,” Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. By the grace of God, we can continue to stand in the times of our troubles and “Rejoice in Jesus” We can find rejoicing in Jesus throughout scripture: Page 2 of 5 Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Col 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 1Th 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: “Rejoicing” is a God-given responsibility to the Christian, it is a privilege and a testimony “In the Lord” is the only way it is possible it cannot be experienced any other way Consider all the ways that people seek happiness today, it is a never ending search The joy of Jesus will never be experienced through worldly ways or sinful desires Paul is not talking a bout a good feeling because you have experienced what you thought was fun And then the good feeling turns to sorrow and pain, the fun is over, and the happiness is gone Listen to the Psalmist, Psa 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Jesus is at the right hand of God, Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Look to Jesus and you will rejoice in Jesus, you can always look to Jesus and rejoice in Jesus Because Jesus is not like the ever-changing circumstances of our life, Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Jesus is sovereign, always the same, He will always provide a way for us to rejoice Scripture is not telling us to rejoice in our situation, we are to rejoice in our Savior Joy is not found in a religious principle or practice, it is found in the Lord of our salvation Paul admits that he is repeating himself when he commands us to rejoice, he says— TO WRITE THE SAME THINGS TO YOU Paul makes no apologies for repeating himself, there is nothing wrong with “same thing” teaching In fact, we need it, let me give you an illustration, it happened down south where I pastored One Sunday night a lady said to me, do you know you made the same point 6 times this morning I said, “really, what was it,” she hesitated and said, “I don’t remember right now” I said, “I should have said it one more time,” repetition is a good way for us to learn Churches today need the “same things” the early church needed, Act 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ Christians today must be living according to the “same things” the early church did, Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Because we need to see the “same things” to happen that the early church witnessed, Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. For years churches have tried to turn to new titles and new ways to reach people We need to stay with the same basic ways of the early church, it will still work if we practice it We need to hear the same Word of God again, as the old saying goes, “you can say that again” It has been said and it is true, that if it is worth being said, it is worth being said again Paul says that repeating himself in giving this command again is not a burden to him--TO ME INDEED “is” NOT GRIEVOUS Literally Paul said, it is no trouble to do so, I don’t hesitate to repeat it again to you Peter agrees with Paul, 2Pe 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Page 3 of 5 There are Biblical truths that we are to continually keep in mind There are scriptures that we must continually be reminded of How many times has a mother said to her child, “How many times do I have to tell you?” Peter says, “I am going to tell you many times,” the Bible tells us the same things over and over We need to be reminded day by day of our Christian responsibilities and fulfill them day by day Let me give you another illustration, it is about the young pastor and his first church The first Sunday his message was “Love One Another,” the 2nd Sunday was the same message The third Sunday he preached the same message which concerned the deacons They confronted him with the question, do you have another message? He said yes, I will preach it when I know you have obeyed my first message Paul said to speak the same old topics over again is a safeguard for you--BUT FOR YOU “it is” SAFE His point is that Biblical truth is sound, safe, and trustworthy, it is always good for you Bible truth is worth repeating, it is always a blessing to you no matter how many times you hear it That is why Paul did not hesitate to tell them the same things again and again Paul never got tired of teaching the truths of God’s Word, it was a blessing to him and others It was worth his effort to prepare it and worth their time to hear it Christians need to be told again and again about their past, the future, and the present The Bible has a message for life today which prepares us for life tomorrow The same word translated “safe” is found in, Heb 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; It is translated “sure,” we have an anchor of the soul that is “sure” and steadfast The “anchor” secures the ship and does not allow the wind and current to take it away The anchor keeps the ship where the captain wants it to be The Christian “anchor” is our faith in Christ which enables us to stand firm Faith in Christ allows us to stay where God wants us to be in times of temptations Obeying God’s Word allows us to stand strong in the storms of life Holding on to our hope is like a safe harbor where a ship can drop anchor “Soul” does not limit hope to our spiritual life, but it is a reference to all of life “Soul” is a reference to the whole person and includes every part of our daily life Christians are “Anchored in the promises of God” which are “sure and steadfast” In the Lord there is safety, you are secure in Christ during the times of difficulty With Christ you are not in danger of being tripped up Christians stand steady, secure, and immovable “in Christ” CONCLUSION How safe are you against the “wiles of the devil?” Listen to Paul, Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. If you are not in the Word of God daily, you have not put on the “whole armor of God” And you are in danger, there will be no “Rejoicing in Jesus” How safe are you against the trials and troubles of life, listen to James, Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; A command that applies to every one of us, we must apply it to our life every day of our life Be sure you read it right, “all joy” is to be “when you fall into divers temptations” The word “divers” means “manifold,” being multi-colored and of much variety “Manifold” does not necessarily mean a great number, mainly it refers to a great variety But the number can be great because there is such a variety Page 4 of 5 Our trials and temptations can be many, they are diversified, of various kinds, any and all kinds We are to think through to a conclusion, the conclusion is “joy,” to think it “all joy” The Bible is teaching us that nothing should take away the “joy” of the Christian life Our joy is not based upon the things that this world will give us or take away from us Don’t allow the trials and troubles of life to defeat you, discourage you, or destroy you Let the joy of Jesus control you, Psa 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; There is a song that was written by a man when the events of his life were not well But listen to his song Page 5 of 5