“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Phil 4:4
One of the things I love about this verse is that, regardless of the differences in context that exist as it relates to culture, time that surrounds this verse, it has one central truth; “Rejoice in the Lord.” Today we as believers are exhorted to not just rejoice, but rejoice in the Lord, despite our circumstances. Paul was in prison when he wrote this exhortation. Very often us being happy and offering praise to God is based on how well things are going for us. But for Paul, rejoicing in God is not about our current situation but it is based on who God is.
Today I’m not by any stretch of the imagination trying to play down what some of you might be going through, but what I do know is that the word of God is just as relevant today as it was when first written. So I exhort you today as the church at Philippi was exhorted by the Apostle, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice.”
00Philip Holderhttp://www.hoperoadnazarene.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hrn-logo-520x140-1.pngPhilip Holder2015-06-04 04:58:422015-06-04 04:58:42REJOICE IN THE LORD
“Whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice” (Philippians 1:18).
Contending with the detractors at Philippi was not a completely new trial for Paul. He had previously learned patience in dealing with the letdowns caused by other supposed supporters (see 2 Tim. 1:15;4:16). Now his opponents were testing his patience to the extreme as they sought to destroy his credibility with his supporters.
The detractors’ tactics might have unsettled the faith of some in the churches, but not Paul’s confidence. He stood up to all the unpleasantness with joy because, as our verse indicates, he knew the
cause of Christ was still being advanced.
Paul’s exemplary behavior under fire provides an obvious lesson for us: no amount of false and unfair criticism should steal our joy in Christ and His gospel. And we can keep rejoicing if we, like Paul, stay devoted to our top priority, proclaiming and glorifying the name of Christ.
00Wafiq Harris-Ashbyhttp://www.hoperoadnazarene.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hrn-logo-520x140-1.pngWafiq Harris-Ashby2015-05-27 05:00:082015-05-27 05:00:08Joy in Spite of Detractors
“But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). Stephen gave evidence of his Spirit-filled godliness as He was about to die from stoning. Acts 7:55-56 says he looked to Jesus and let his adversaries and any witnesses know that he saw Christ standing at the right hand of God. Stephen did not focus on his difficult situation but fixed his heart on the Lord, which is what all believers must do: “Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col. 3:1-2). Stephen’s spiritual sight was incredible and enabled him to see the risen Christ and be certain of his welcome into Heaven the moment he died. We won’t have that kind of vision while we’re still on earth, but if we are constantly Spirit-filled like Stephen, we will always see Jesus by faith and realize His complete presence during the most trying times (John 14:26-27; Heb. 13:5-6).
00Wafiq Harris-Ashbyhttp://www.hoperoadnazarene.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hrn-logo-520x140-1.pngWafiq Harris-Ashby2015-05-26 05:33:052015-05-26 05:33:05Godliness in Suffering
REJOICE IN THE LORD
/in Steadfast Hope“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Phil 4:4
One of the things I love about this verse is that, regardless of the differences in context that exist as it relates to culture, time that surrounds this verse, it has one central truth; “Rejoice in the Lord.” Today we as believers are exhorted to not just rejoice, but rejoice in the Lord, despite our circumstances. Paul was in prison when he wrote this exhortation. Very often us being happy and offering praise to God is based on how well things are going for us. But for Paul, rejoicing in God is not about our current situation but it is based on who God is.
Today I’m not by any stretch of the imagination trying to play down what some of you might be going through, but what I do know is that the word of God is just as relevant today as it was when first written. So I exhort you today as the church at Philippi was exhorted by the Apostle, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice.”
Joy in Spite of Detractors
/in Steadfast Hope“Whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice” (Philippians 1:18).
Contending with the detractors at Philippi was not a completely new trial for Paul. He had previously learned patience in dealing with the letdowns caused by other supposed supporters (see 2 Tim. 1:15;4:16). Now his opponents were testing his patience to the extreme as they sought to destroy his credibility with his supporters.
The detractors’ tactics might have unsettled the faith of some in the churches, but not Paul’s confidence. He stood up to all the unpleasantness with joy because, as our verse indicates, he knew the
cause of Christ was still being advanced.
Paul’s exemplary behavior under fire provides an obvious lesson for us: no amount of false and unfair criticism should steal our joy in Christ and His gospel. And we can keep rejoicing if we, like Paul, stay devoted to our top priority, proclaiming and glorifying the name of Christ.
Godliness in Suffering
/in Steadfast Hope“But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). Stephen gave evidence of his Spirit-filled godliness as He was about to die from stoning. Acts 7:55-56 says he looked to Jesus and let his adversaries and any witnesses know that he saw Christ standing at the right hand of God. Stephen did not focus on his difficult situation but fixed his heart on the Lord, which is what all believers must do: “Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col. 3:1-2). Stephen’s spiritual sight was incredible and enabled him to see the risen Christ and be certain of his welcome into Heaven the moment he died. We won’t have that kind of vision while we’re still on earth, but if we are constantly Spirit-filled like Stephen, we will always see Jesus by faith and realize His complete presence during the most trying times (John 14:26-27; Heb. 13:5-6).