Reasons To Rejoice, Always

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph; typed by Grace Nesaraj)

Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always, Again I will say, Rejoice!

Do you think it is really possible, humanly speaking, to be filled with joy always? Human experience tells us it is not possible. But you know what? It is God’s will for us to rejoice always; to pray without ceasing and in everything to give thanks (1 Thess.5:18). It is POSSIBLE, because it is the will of God concerning you and me.

Isaiah 61 prophesies about Jesus’ ministry thus: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me.” And one of the things talked about Jesus is that He gives us the oil of joy in exchange for mourning. What a wonderful exchange! Jesus Himself demonstrated a life full of joy and happiness; although born in a crib, working as a carpenter, dying as a criminal. Why do I say this? Because just a day before Gethsemane, this is His prayer: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” It’s a joy that the world cannot give; a joy that the world cannot understand; and a joy that no one can take away! We cannot buy it, we cannot attain it, we cannot earn it; but we receive it!

Paul shares this same joy with the believers in Philippi. Phil.4.4 is the theme of this book. The word ‘joy’ or ‘rejoice’ occurs 16 times in this short letter of Paul. Remember, Paul himself is in prison for the sake of the gospel. Yet, full of joy, he writes to the church at Philippi “Rejoice…” and incase you did not get what he said the first time, he says, “Again, I will say, Rejoice!”

Rejoice in the progress of the gospel

Paul explains that whatever that has happened to him has helped in the furtherance of the gospel (Phi. 1:12). And in v18 he concludes, he will rejoice because ‘Christ is preached’. We rejoice too, that the name of Jesus is lifted up!

What is Paul trying to tell us in Phil. 4:4? In order to understand, we must read the verses above and below, understand the entire theme of the book, and look for similar verses in the entire Bible (the context principle).

One day, the disciple came to Jesus pleased with the fact that the demons were subject to them. Jesus answered that they should rather rejoice that their names are written down in the Book of Life! Whatever the circumstances, we have this assurance too; forgiven and clean in trusting Jesus as Savior, our names are written down in Heaven. The present may be unpleasant, but there is a bright future ahead. One of the secrets for joy is looking forward to something great and glorious.

Rejoice in serving Jesus

Phil. 2:17: “Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”

Another reason to rejoice is in serving Jesus, we see the increase in the faith of those who believe. It does not matter that much what happens with us. Paul endured hardships and countless difficulties; was thrown into prison! And yet even there he rejoiced, singing praises to God. What happened? God caused an earthquake, the prison doors were thrown open; the prison guard received salvation.

Satan must have thought that he had done a good job with Paul putting him behind bars. Paul may have thought that he would have to endure the prison cell for long. But God’s ways are higher, and His works greater. You know what! God did more through Paul’s prison life than when he was outside. Paul wrote his letters to the churches during those times! What a treasure for us today.

Rejoice in serving others

Freely you have received, freely give! This could very well sum up Paul’s attitude in serving others (Phil. 4:1). Give out in order not to give in! Live a service-centered life and not a self-centered life. You have a choice to be like the Dead sea, that has only inflow or like the Sea of Galilee, that has both an inflow and an outflow; you have a choice to be stale and useless or to be a life-giving blessing to others.

Paul could have thought let us minister to me now , encourage me and serve now that I am in prison, But no he was not self centred. When pastor Epaphroditus from Philippi, comes with a financial gift to Paul in Rome, Paul blesses those who gave “Now my God shall supply all your needs…”

I tell you, God shall supply all your needs too when you serve others in Christ. Whether you have little or whether you have more, God looks down from heaven to care for your every need. The right hand of the Lord does valiantly (Ps. 118:15). Underneath his everlasting arms, we take refuge. His eyes are upon the sparrow and His eyes are upon us. He cares for you, and therefore you can always have joy.

May the joy of Jesus be our strength. Amen.