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Christians, Rejoice! – audio
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Introduction
A. It is wonderful to be a Christian!
B. We have so many things to enjoy, both in this life and in the one to come.
C. For example, today we can share mutual joy as we sing praises to our God, have fellowship with each other, and partake of delectable food.
D. We also look forward to the home that is laid up for us in Heaven.
Body
I. Christians rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4).
A. All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
B. In order to be in Christ, one must be baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27).
II. Christians rejoice in Hope (Romans 12:12).
A. There is one hope of our calling (Ephesians 4:4).
B. If Christ had not been risen from the dead, we would not have any hope (1 Corinthians 15:14-20).
III. Christians rejoice in their names being written in heaven (Luke 10:20).
IV. Christians rejoice in your genuine faith.
A. My faith praise, honor, and glorify Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:3-9).
Conclusion
A. Are you a Christian?
1) If so, you have every reason to rejoice!
2) If not, you can become a Christian right now and many will rejoice with you.
Content by Richard Dillon
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Rejoice! Your Name is Written in Heaven!
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice (Philippians 4:4)!” The apostle Paul commands Christians when to rejoice. Whether he was in a good situation, or a bad one, he rejoiced. He rejoiced when some obeyed the gospel, and when others harmed him for preaching it. Likewise, we must rejoice both in good times and bad.
“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20).” Jesus commands His followers how to rejoice. Jesus sent many laborers into the harvest with power, and later pointed out that they should not rejoice over what they could do, but what would be done for them. Likewise, we should not rejoice in what we can do; rather, we should rejoice what the Lord shall do for us!
“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27).” If we have followed Christ and kept His commands, we may enter Heaven. This gives us cause to rejoice! We can rejoice always because our names are written in heaven. Can we rejoice and sing, “I know, I know, my name is there; I know, I know, my name is written there”?
Content by Richard Dillon
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Rejoice Today!
A few days ago, I had “one of those days.”
- I started to get in my car to go teach a Bible class, only to learn the car wouldn’t start! Thankfully, I had another vehicle to use.
- At lunch, I couldn’t get banana pudding for dessert because it just ran out.
- Later that afternoon, I couldn’t charge my phone because the wires separated from the plug.
Have you ever had one of those days?
Regardless of how bad things may seem, we must remember, “This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).” That adds a new perspective, doesn’t it?
God made that day; therefore, I will rejoice! Likewise, Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice (Philippians 4:4)!”
As Christians, we have every reason to rejoice today and every day!
Content by Richard Dillon
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A Little R and R
Everybody loves a little ‘R and R.’ We all work very hard, and from time to time need rest and relaxation. A little ‘R and R’ is needed for our physical health.
A little ‘R and R’ is needed for our spiritual health, too. Paul explained to the Romans that we were “reconciled to God through the death of His Son…and not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation (Romans 5:10-11).”
We need to be reconciled because our sins have separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2). As Christians, we have reason to rejoice! After all, through the death of Christ we can be reconciled to God.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice (Philippians 4:4)!” Why? We are reconciled to God!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Rejoice – audio
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- If you look at the world a certain way, it’s easy not to rejoice.
- Life is stressful.
- I keep waiting for that time when everything slows down. Then, I tell myself, I’ll be less stressed and more content.
Do you ever fall into this trap? There’s negative stuff all around us, which, if we’re so inclined, can damper our spirits.
- An uncertain economy. A rising deficit. Strife in the Middle East (isn’t there always?).
- Personally, perhaps there’s uncertainty about health (why these weird symptoms?).
- And concern for the kids and grandkids (Lord, help them to turn out okay . . .).
- And a million more besides.
But our world isn’t any different from the one the Bible spoke to.
- Parents worried about their children.
- They stressed over the new emperor.
- In ways we can’t even imagine, their physical health was always a concern (no antibiotics???).
To that world, and to ours, Paul wrote: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4
Notice that he didn’t say, “Rejoice always.”
The little prepositional phrase in the middle makes all the difference.
- If our joy depends on perfect health or a booming economy, it’ll be short-lived.
- If our contentment hinges on a stress-free life or perfect relationships, we’ll always be disappointed.
- It just won’t work.
Which is why Paul said to rejoice “in the Lord.”
- Rejoice because of our relationship to Jesus Christ.
- Because he saved us.
- Because even though this world is messed up, one day he’ll fix it.
- Because our names are written in the book of life, and we’ve got a certain hope for tomorrow.
- No matter what kind of stresses we face today.
Rejoice, Paul says, In the Lord.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Anxiety – audio
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I suppose a certain level of anxiety is part of living on this side of eternity.
I haven’t yet met the person—even in the family of God—who lives a completely carefree life.
Do you worry at times? Get stressed out?
I sure we’re the first ones to struggle with it. It seems like every page of Scripture says something about it.
Take this one, for example. To one of his favorite churches Paul wrote: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord” – Philippians 3:1
In other words, Paul seems to be saying, “Okay, because of everything I’ve already written to you, rejoice in the Lord.”
If there’s a command that’s harder to obey all the time, I don’t know what it is.
Humanly speaking, there’s a lot not to rejoice about.
A woeful economy. Increasing secularism. Spiritual apathy.
More personally . . . the physical effects of aging, health concerns, family worries, job uncertainty.
How do you rejoice in that?
I don’t think you can, at least not on the face of it.
This is why Paul puts the last little prepositional phrase in there: “In the Lord.”
Rejoice in the Lord – Philippians 3:1
Rejoice in the Lord always – Philippians 4:4
More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 5:11
Truth is, you’ve got to look at many things that happen through the lens of God’s sovereign will.
If you’re a disciple of Jesus, God has saved you, and he’s promised you he’ll work through you to accomplish his will.
We don’t have all the answers, of course, and I have no idea why God allows some of the stuff that goes on around us.
But when I take my eyes off of him, I’ve noticed that my stress and anxiety levels increase.
For today’s devotional thought, let me encourage you: Whatever’s going on in your life right now—whether internal or external—commit it to the Lord.
Rejoice in him today.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Blessings of Sowing and Reaping – John 4:31-38
Text: John 4:31-38
Introduction
- Jesus came to earth to do the will of His Father, to finish his work, to provide a perfect sacrifice for man’s sins that the lost might be saved through faith in Him [Jesus] (John 19:30).
- After Jesus was resurrected, He gave his disciples a charge to teach every creature and teach every nation, teaching them everything he taught the them (Mark 16:15-16). This great work is passed unto us as Christians to evangelize the world.
- Sometimes we complain about the work of evangelism; because frequently there is not instant gratification. But my Christian friends, let us be encouraged to sow the seed and reap the harvest. Because, how can there be a harvest, if the farmer doesn’t sow the seed? (Proverbs 11:30).
Sowers and Reapers Rejoice Together at the Fruit of the Harvest
- The laborers of the vineyard of the Lord should not complain about their respective roles (sower/reaper), but rejoice God has blessed their efforts and have caused the seeds planted to grow into maturity ready to be harvested. We are laborers together with God to save lost souls – (I Corinthians 3:9).
- In Galatians 6:7-8, we are reminded to not sow of the flesh but to sow the things of the Spirit that we might reap everlasting life.
- In John 4:36, Jesus teaches us that both sower and reaper are to rejoice together. Therefore, let us labor in sowing and reaping that we might have rejoicing with God when souls are saved (Luke 15:10).
- Why not decide to be a sower or reaper in the Vineyard of the Lord and enjoy in the blessings of eternal life. God made it possible by the offering up of His Son Jesus to die as the perfect sacrifice for sin. God raised Him up to life defeating sin and death. You can have victory in Jesus Christ. Why not come?
HEAR BELIEVE REPENT CONFESS BAPTISM LIVE FAITHFULLY
Presented by Harry D. Anderson, Jr. at the Gahanna Jefferson Church of Christ On June 29, 2011.
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page