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Rejoice in the Lord
Philippians 4:4-7
Introduction: Serving the Lord can never be perceived or attained without rejoicing in the Lord. In this letter, Paul has demonstrated that regardless of sufferings or the prospect of sufferings, the servant of Christ can and should rejoice and find joy in the Lord. This should be a test of our relationship: Can we rejoice in the Lord…”always?” Is rejoicing the culture of our lives? I think we can all admit that we fall short, and it indicates our need to be more focused on our heavenly citizenship. As L.A. Mott states, “Christianity is not the religion of the long face, and we do not live with proper understanding of our lot in Christ when the face we give to the world reflects our inward discontent.”
A companion theme in the letter is peace, peace between brethren and peace from God. In Philippians, and especially in 4:2-9, Paul offers a “thread” that portrays this peace.
- 1:27
- 2:2
- 2:14
- Urging of two women to agree in the Lord
- Let your gentleness be known to everyone
- Be anxious for nothing, but in everything in prayer with thanksgiving…and the peace of God will guard your hearts
- Think on the things that are honorable, pure, and lovely
- Practice what you have learned, received, heard, and seen in Paul, and the God of peace will be with you.
Rejoice in the Lord Always
Paul gives four admonitions that result in the peace of God guarding our hearts and minds. There is nothing more wonderful than peace, but peace can only come from the “God of peace” (vs. 9). The four admonitions are: (1) Rejoice in the Lord always [stated twice], (2) Let your reasonableness be known to everyone, and (3) Do not be anxious about anything, but (4) let your requests be known to God.
As we have mentioned before, joy is a virtue attained in spite of circumstances and is therefore different than happy. Thus, even in extreme circumstances, as Paul notes in 2:17-18, “You should be glad and rejoice.”
But notice that Paul does not simply tell us to live joyfully, but to rejoice in the Lord. It is a command to celebrate what we have in the Lord. We need to understand that to obey such a command takes a determined effort.
Psalm 46 helps us put rejoicing in practice.
It will be necessary to stop and be quiet in order to rejoice in the Lord. A life filled with too much activity is unable to deeply consider the Lord, his ultimate goal for us, and by that, rejoice in him.
- He is a “very present help in trouble” – Phil. 4:5, “the Lord is at hand.”
- “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.” God has nourished us with life and righteousness.
- “The nations rage, the kingdom totter” – there is always turmoil, but before the throne of God is a sea of glass.
- “Come, behold the works of the Lord…” Indeed, when we see his works, we rejoice and we pray with thanksgiving.
- “Be still and know that I am God” – We truly must stop and be quiet in order to know him and rejoice.
To rejoice in the Lord means we must grow close to the Lord and know the Lord. In 3:8, Paul spoke of giving everything up for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Do you allow days, possibly even weeks go by without opening your Bible and seeking God? Do you have a Bible dedicated to “marking” in order to discover and be astonished at God? This should be as regular in your daily routines and eating and drinking. Please do not go without it. You cannot rejoice in the Lord if you do not know the Lord.
There is no rejoicing in the Lord without the expression of your joy. To rejoice is celebratory. When you are alone, do you sing to the Lord? When you come here to worship, have you been discovering the beauty of the Lord all week so that as we sing you explode in a celebration of joy? Look at what you have to rejoice in: “no confidence in the flesh,” “not my own righteousness, but a righteousness that comes from God,” “becoming like him in his death,” “attaining to the resurrection of the dead,” “a heavenly citizenship,” “Jesus Christ will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body.” Indeed, if we cannot celebrate, then our minds are truly set on earthly things.
Now notice the phrase, “Let your reasonableness to known to everyone.” In order for there to be peace, there must be “reasonableness.” In order to rejoice, there must be reasonableness. It is also translated, “gentleness,” “forbearance,” “moderation,” forbearing spirit.” It is translated “meekness” or “gentleness” in 2 Cor. 10:1. The idea is, “reasonableness in dealing with others rather than insisting on every right of letter of law or custom.” Some suggest, “sweet reasonableness.” We might say, “Loosen up!” We cannot be demanding of others, especially those who are close to us.
Gentleness/reasonableness is especially tested when we are tried or dealing with unreasonable men.
Do Not Be Anxious about Anything
ESV connects the end of verse 5 with verse 6. Thus, there is a recognition that the Lord is at hand or near (NIV). In other words, Paul calls upon us to recognize the continual presence of the Lord. Therefore, be reasonable; do not be anxious.
Everything in this letter suggests that this admonition is especially in response to persecution (1:30).
Therefore, the contrasting response to anxiety: prayer. How often do we fail at that response? More likely, our response is complaint.
Further, anything you can be anxious about, you can pray about.
Also, our prayers are to be filled with thanksgiving, not just requests. Thanksgiving reminds us of God’s past benefits to us and how he has never forsaken us.
Anxiety that is not resolved in prayer is a loss of faith. The opposite, rejoicing in the Lord always is a mark of faith. Paul had no anxiety because he was about to be “poured out as a drink offering.” He maintained his confidence in God through prayer.
Therefore, we do not focus on anxiety but on God. Matthew 6:32-34, 27 offers us five reasons to rid ourselves of anxiousness:
- The Gentiles seek after all these things. To be anxious is to be a practical atheist.
- Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. What kind of Father do you think he is?
- Seek first the kingdom and all these things will be added to you.
- Don’t be anxious about tomorrow because it will have its own trouble. Today’s troubles are sufficient; don’t add to it!
- Being anxious will not add a single hour to your life span. In other words, anxiousness is not going to change a thing!
“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds…”
- This “peace” is beyond understanding because it is not the natural reaction to tribulation. Cf. Eccl. 5:18-20
- The word “guard” in verse 7 is a military term and thus Paul is indicating that prayer is our defense over our hearts and minds when the pressure is on.
Conclusion: Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice!
Berry Kercheville