“Rejoice in the Lord Always, and again I say rejoice!”
{Philippians 4:4}


If you have turned to God and Trusted His Son
, the Lord Jesus to forgive you and to make you right with God, trusting in His Finished and complete work on the cross and His resurrection from the grave on your behalf…you have reason to rejoice, irrespective of what your circumstance is… because this life is not your final destination, but rather to spend it with Him and to see His glory. Do you know that Jesus prayed to God the Father concerning you? In John 17:24- “Father, I DESIRE that they also, whom You have GIVEN Me, be WITH Me where I Am, so that they may See My Glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”  – My, what a verse- the Lord Jesus says you were God the Fathers Gift to Him. He says, “You have Given to Me.” And His DESIRE is that you be “WITH Me,” He says- Amazing love isn’t it! We have much reason to Rejoice don’t we!

DID YOU KNOW that Choosing NOT to Rejoice in the Lord is SIN! Indeed, it is. As God COMMANDS us to “Rejoice in the Lord… always”-Phil 3:1; 1Thess 5:17.

Paul writes not from an ivory tower but a difficult place and in it he encounters some difficult people who were envious of him, yet he chooses to write about “Rejoicing.” He was a prisoner in Rome. He had been wrongfully arrested, shipwrecked in the way there, bitten by a snake, and was under house arrest for two years{Read Acts 27:39-8:16}. He had every reason to complain about what was happening to him, yet he chose his ATTITUDE! He chose to Rejoice … not some mere empty, hollow cliche or in favorable circumstances, but focusing on a PERSON- the LORD Jesus! And “Always,” at that!Looking To Him is reason to do so in any and all seasons of life! It is not to deny difficulties or pain but knowing him in the difficulties and knowing He is the end… you have a bright and wonderful future you are moment by moment closer to because of Him . to be “with Him!”   If you read the book of Philippians , note the reasons Paul gives for “Rejoicing!” He adapted an attitude and his foundation was Jesus Christ as his resource and reason to delight, be glad, rejoice in the LORD!  It is Gift of  God to his people through the Holy Spirit. the fruit of His been in control -{Read Gal 5:22; Neh 8:10}. True Joy is God given, sustained!  It is not in one’s own “achievement’s, resources,” but in God HIMSELF, His Provision, promises, Government and Reign, character, the Person of Jesus Christ reasons to delight in. Objective truth- Jesus is “The Truth!”-{John 14:6} His Word is truth and changes us {John 17:17} and we are to choose to allow His Word to permeate our Thinking and  influence and guide our Practice!-{Read Phil 4:8-9}

Let me share with you some “PRIMERS” for you to think upon and to help remind and encourage you in choosing to “Rejoice in the Lord…Always.” Indeed anything above Hell should cause us ALL to be ecstatic about the Lord. Let me Encourage you to Stop and START REJOICING….CONSIDER THESE…

TEN REASONS TO REJOICE

1.- REJOICE in your SALVATION.

Lk 15 :6  ” I tell you that in the same way there  will be MORE JOY in Heaven over one sinner who repents…

Acts 15:3 “ ..They were passing through both Phoenecia and Samaria, describing in detail the CONVERSION of the Gentiles, and were bringing Great JOY to ALL the Brethren

2. REJOICE in your SECURITY in Christ

A. The Disciples rejoicing over demons been subject to them…. But Matt 7 ..shows the power in casting out demons is in… His Name…lost ones did it!….They were in Ministry, yes, but not in a right relationship with God-Matthew 7:21-23…The Lord corrects His disciples and shows them the True reason to Rejoice …

Luke 10:20” Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but REJOICE that your Names are recorded in Heaven.”

Phil 4:3 “..whose Names are in the Book of Life”

John 10:28 “And I give eternal life to them and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.”

3. REJOICE in The GOSPEL being SHARED

“…always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,  in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.”- Phil 1:4-5…

Even when the Motives are  wrong but the Message is Right.
Phil 1:18 “What then that in every way  Christ is proclaimed; and in this I REJOICE, yes and I WILL REJOICE”

PAUL found himself in prison and you would think there would be camaraderie among other believers who were also there too, wouldn’t you? But there were those who were envious and jealous of him and instead of focusing on their unloving attitudes to him and throwing a pity-party, Paul acknowledges the way things are BUT REJOICES because the Lord Jesus is been PROCLAIMED! For his goal was the Making known of the Name of the Lord Jesus. Give thanks to God and REJOICE where you know His Name is being declared!

4. REJOICE in the JOY of OTHER BELIEVERS

The Bible teaches we are to “Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep”- Rom 12:15.We are to Participate and identify in the pain and pleasures of other believers…as long as its not a sin issue. If someone has reason to rejoice and is rejoicing then rejoice in their joy!

B. – 1 Cor 12:26 -“Rejoice when others are Honored” –

C. – Phil 4:1 “Therefore my beloved brethren whom I long to see my JOY…”

D. –  In their Christian Living;
2 John 1:12
 ” “I hope to come to you that your JOY may be made full.”

THE GREAT COMMANDMENT IS RELATIONAL-– LOVE God and Love others. God has made us relational beings – not isolationists. Unless it is sin- we should rejoice in the joys of others!

5. REJOICE in the SPIRITUAL GROWTH of others 

3 John 1:3-4 ” For I was very Glad when brethren came and bore witness of your truth, that is how you are walking in truth. I have no Greater JOY than this, to hear of my children [Spiritual] walking in the truth.” What greater joy can there be than to see someone embrace the Truth and Apply the Word of God to their lives and follow in the ways of the Lord Jesus- It doesn’t get much better, to see people living out what they profess.

6. REJOICE in SUFFERING According to GOD’S WILL.

1 Peter 4: 19  According to the Will of God
There is a suffering we can go through that is for no other reason than a result of our own sin- 1 Peter 4:15. But there is a suffering “according to the WILL OF GOD”- 1 Peter 3:17;4:16. Suffering is to be Embraced, we it is for the Glory of God and identification with Him in righteousness – 1 Tim1:8; 2 :3. The Scripture also says in 2 Tim 3:12 “Indeed, ALL who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus WILL BE Persecuted”

Consider Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25 having been unjustly beaten with rods and having their feet fastened in stocks in prison. How did they respond? “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and Singing hymns of PRAISE TO GOD, and the prisoners were listening to hem…” In the midst of unfair treatment and brutality they were FOCUSING on God and Speaking to Him and Praising Him – Why? Because HE IS WORTHY… and look at those around them in the prison? Their response? They were listening. In the place of desperation they heard those who had suffered REJOICING IN GOD.

I remember a story about the great English preacher, C.H.Spurgeon. He walked into an empty hall where he was about to preach later, and wanted to test out the acoustics of the building shouted out, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”- John 1:29. Unbeknown to him there was a janitor  sweeping away on the top balcony .who heard Gods Word…and that night at home was converted. You never know who is listening. Whether Paul or Silas in a Prison or Spurgeon in an “empty hall” God has people around you and what a blessing it can be to others as you chose to REJOICE in the Lord- even in the midst of Suffering.  Don’t be Surprised – 1 Pet 4:12 ” Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you . Commit your self to Him  – 1 Pet 4:19 -“Suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is Right.”

There are Different Types of Suffering;
Slander…
Response? Rejoice!!
Matt 5:11 “
Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me.” REJOICE, and be GLAD for your Reward in Heaven is Great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Rejoice  – 1 Pet 4: 13 “But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, KEEP ON REJOICING, so also at the revelation of His Glory, you may rejoice with exultation…” In 1 Peter 4:19 Pete tells them to rejoice in doing what is Right

7. REJOICE in your TRIAL’S;

James 1: 2-4 ‘Count it all joy when you encounter various Trials…”

You would think Trials would not be a time to rejoice. Or at the very least a time when you can  be excused. But in Trials the follower of the Lord Jesus is commanded to rejoice. It seems so unnatural- And indeed it is! It is SUPERNATURAL- A work of the Spirit of God in a life- Gal 5:22. A Follower of the Lord Jesus has the ability {Phil 2:12-13} and Power to Rejoice even in trials. “….seeing that His DIVINE POWER has GRANTED us Everything pertaining to Life and Godliness…”- 2 Peter 1:3-4

“COUNT it ALL JOY…”. We are Commanded to Immediately Commence Rejoicing. And He Gives three further Commands to show us WHY we can REJOICE…

“KNOWING”- verse 3 –
The word has to do with an understanding Mind. We KNOW what God is doing in the passage He says He is MATURING US. God uses TRIALS as a Tool to bring about Spiritual Maturity.

“LET”- verse 4-
This Command has to do with a SUBMISSIVE WILL
. Submit to God in the Trial and Trust Him by choosing to Obey His Word and REJOICE, because He has revealed to you what He is doing…Maturing you. Let Him have His way. How do you and I do that? By submitting to His Word and choose to REJOICE in Him for what He has revealed the purpose of this trial is- Your Spiritual MATURITY…and in 1:12 your opportunity to EXPRESS LOVE TO HIM… by your obedience- John 14:21

“ASK”- verse 5
Again a command to ask for Wisdom in the midst of the pressure.
 The ability to take and apply Gods Word to your situation. And God will show you what to do that which Honors Him most….REJOICE in your Trials because you “Know” and in Knowing what He is doing you can “Let” Him have His way as you can trust him who loves you most. And Rejoice in the fact you can ASK of Him for wisdom and HE WILL give to those who ask in faith – trusting Him to do what HE SAYS HE WILL DO…

 

8. REJOICE in your PRAYING for  BELIEVERS

Phil 1:3- I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, and always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the Gospel from the first day until now.”

Another great reason to REJOICE is because of those who have chosen to Participate in the Gospel with you. Those who have Given not only their resources, but their very lives in seeing the advancement of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you know anyone who has gone forward with the Gospel? Missionaries, PASTORS, college students, whose Goal is to make known the Lord Jesus Christ through Graciously sharing- 1 Peter 3:15 and practicing the Gospel….. those who have not loved their own lives but who have committed themselves to the GOSPEL message be advanced- Phil 1:12; Phil 2:22;27-30

9 . SHARE your JOY 

Phil 2:18: “And you too ,I urge you to Rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.”

WHAT IS it that is causing your HEART To Rejoice? Perhaps you say, “I am too down, to discouraged, too overwhelmed to rejoice. I can’t find any reason to rejoice, I feel so depressed.” Thank you for your honesty, and do you know what? You dear one are not the first, nor probably will be the last to feel “the blues” BUT GOD HAS given you the Power and when you Chose to OBEY Him, His Spirit will fill you with Joy…as you chose to obey- Consider John 15:10-11. NOTE what is it Jesus produces when we chose to obey Him in verse 10..verse 11 says “JOY!”

Perhaps you are not in the same predicament as the person mentioned above. But either way whether you are or not. You can CHOOSE TO REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS , ANYWHERE, AT ANY TIME!

What is it God is doing in your life, or the lives of others, or what you have red form His Word…Beloved “SHARE OUR JOY” Pass it on…Give it away… Consider the 8 reasons to REJOICE that are mentioned before here and remind yourself you are BLESSED. Anything above Hell is a Privilege. For t you will never touch it because of the Lord- REJOICE IN THE LORD …ALWAYS!

10. REJOICING Is A SAFEGUARD for you.

Phil 3:1 “… To write the same thing again is no trouble to me, and it is A SAFEGUARD for you.” “Safeguard”- the word refers to  keep from stumbling, been overcome, tripping over!

Rejoicing is not only a command, but a SAFE GUARD. When you chose to stop focusing on the Lord and the things of God and chose instead to look at circumstances or people whom are given you a difficult time, what usually happens? You become discouraged and you’re your focus and become down cast. But dear friend God has given us PROTECTION for our mind and hearts and one of those weapons is to REJOICE in the lord…ALWAYS. Rejoice in Him…Rejoice in His Works…Rejoice in His Ways

HE is the SOURCE of our JOY! 
Rom 5:11…” And not only this but we also REJOICE in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have now received Reconciliation.

REJOICE in your Salvation, Security, Sharing forth of the Gospel, the fellow SAINTS of God, SUFFERING for His Sake, Trials, Joy of Other believers, in your Prayers, Share your Joy with others. THE LIVING GOD as your FOCUS… The Word of God as your FOUNDATION…R-E-J-O-I-C-E  IN THE LORD A-L-W-A-Y-S. Rejoice in the Lord who Imparts Joy…{Jn 16:22} “…and NO ONE will take away your joy.” We too often GIVE IT AWAY… But here are TEN REASONS for you and me to remind ourselves and consider as FUEL for our Minds and Hearts to Fan the Flame of REJOICING in the Lord once again.

We have considered TEN Reasons for the Christian to REJOICE
Now its your Choice!…Consider that REJOICING IN THE LORD IS…

1. A COMMAND to Be Obeyed

Phil 4:4; Jn 14:21 – Obedience is an  Expression of Love

2. A CHOICE to be Made.

You have the Capacity….Choose….You May not like your circumstances…yes consider them just as Abraham did his in Romans 4:19-21 BUT Also as Abraham CONSIDER GOD- HIS PROMISES-HIS POWER TO EXERCISE HIS PROMISES..and… REJOICE IN THE LORD… LOOK TO GOD who is over your Circumstances…and REJOICE IN THE LORD -2 Peter 1:3-4;Phil 2:12-13

3. CONSIDERING CHRIST

Heb 3:1 and His Work and Person…
.The  Last Stanza of Charles Wesley’s Hymn “Rejoice the Lord is King”… says “Rejoice in GLORIOUS HOPE; Jesus our Lord shall come and take His servant’s up To their Eternal home; We soon shall hear th’ archangel’s voice; THE TRUMP of God shall sound, REJOICE.”

4. REJOICING IS AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE-

{“… the one who has My commandments and keeps them…LOVES Me.”-{John 14:21}. Why Rejoice? Ultimately as an expression of love for Him who first loved you! Not Love to be loved or accepted by Him but because of HIS Love for you!


START REJOICING… NAME THE ABOVE TEN REASONS AS A MEANS TO HELP YOU FOCUS ON WHAT THERE IS IN YOUR LIFE AS A FOLLOWER OF THE LORD JESUS TO REJOICE OVER…DESPITE WHAT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE- AND IN THE CASE OF SOME HORRIFIC…HONOR God by choosing to REJOICE IN THE LORD…

YOUR ASSIGNMENT TO HELP;
PERHAPS take a 3 by 5 card and write out a verse to memorize and mediate and APPLY through the day… and begin to REJOICE in the Lord…IN EVERY AND ANY SITUATION…

Are you REJOICING in the LORD Today?…IF NOT, BEGIN NOW…”He who Honors Me I will Honor”

You are Loved by the God who Rejoiced over your Salvation- and will present you with Joy before His Throne-Jude verse24

How To  Do So Practically;

1. Submit TO God’s Word – Jer 15:16
“Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your WORD WAS TO ME THE JOY AND REJOICING IN MY HEART.”; Col 3:16

2. Submit to God’s Spirit – 5:22; Col 3:16 
WHICH IS TO SUBMIT TO His Word and allow Him to control you and enable you and this He will … as you chose to OBEY His Word.

3. Continual Abiding – John 15:10,11

Result?
1. Continual Joy – DEUT 12:18; John 15:10-11
2 Cor 6:10 Even in sorrow ..joy experienced…. Supernatural…

Its all about PERSPECTIVE…Person of Christ our Focus – Heb 12:2-3….the Word of God our FOUNDATION- Matt 7:23-25

 

  • CHOOSE TO REJOICE -IN THE LORD-  
  • DO REJOICE -IN THE LORD…
  • BEGIN NOW -TO REJOICE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST…
  • DELIGHT in The LORD