Sermon Tone Analysis
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Choosing to go on the offensive by rejoicing in the midst of hardship is the single greatest defense from the things that make us turn away from God.
TRANS - We all face difficulties, hardships, and trials.
When that happens, Scripture tells us how to respond.
Some hide, some fight, some run, some pretend they are okay, some turn to substances.
INTRO - This morning we are celebrating what God has done and is doing.
If you came in with troubles, problems, down or discouraged, the good news is that Scripture provides exactly what you need.
And, that is where we are going today.
EST - Paul tells people who find it impossible to stop grumbling and complaining to “rejoice.”
ESS - Our message will describe the way to back to joy.
OSS - We will end with a call to respond to the privilege of joyfully working together.
What does it say?
It is normal to rejoice during the good times.
But, the book of Philippians includes other reasons to praise.
Rejoicing When Praying is Hard
For example, when praying for others:
Most people are too wrapped up in themselves to remember to pray for others.
Too often, when praying for others, it’s during a time of distress instead of praise.
Paul had reason to be bitter, yet chose to praise God for His Sovereignty:
There were those preaching with wrong motives.
With Paul in jail, others tried to take advantage of the situation for their own agenda.
Paul responded to that news by intentionally rejoicing.
We can too.
TRANS - Okay, so we honor Jesus when praying for others, especially when its difficult to do so.
What about when people really get to us?
Rejoicing When People Make it Hard
Most people harbor resentment when wronged by others; they don’t rejoice.
“He done me wrong..”
And then comes the sin of telling everyone about it (gossip, or worse slander).
Paul knew their spiritual immaturity and still found room to praise:
Lots of folks have a streak of independence that makes cooperation difficult.
Paul’s prescription:
The way back to joy is working with one another.
Most rather have the life of comfort instead of choosing to suffer for Christ.
But, what does the Bible say:
It is common to see people looking out for themselves than to live sacrificial lives.
The Bible speaks to this also:
Instead of griping about working with others, Paul says rejoice in the work:
This stuff is not natural, it is supernatural.
Joy working with one anther happens when we are spirit-filled.
TRANS - So we’ve noted the need to rejoice when praying, to rejoice when working with others.
Let’s turn our attention now toward rejoicing when the world is such a mess.
Rejoicing When the World is a Mess
In our text, Paul asks us to rejoice in the Lord.
But, isn’t that normal for a believer?
Is Paul doing something strange here?
Nope, don’t think so.
Not when life looks more like a Jerry Springer show instead of a Norman Rockwell painting.
Consider some of the events from this year.
January 20–22 – USA federal government shutdown as a result of a dispute over Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
February 14 - A school shooting occurs at High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people and injuring 17
March 23 – An Islamic terrorist attack in France, kills five people.
April 8 – At least 70 people are reported to have died and hundreds suffering injuries after a sarin chemical attack in Syria.
May 25 - Repeal the ban on abortion in Ireland takes place.
June 16 – Seventeen people die in Venezuela after a tear gas canister is detonated in a crowded club.
That’s just the first 6 months!
How can we rejoice in the Lord is this depraved world?
How can we rejoice when we stand in such sewage?
All our cultural problems prove this Scripture is accurate when it teaches the depravity of man.
Society may say people are good, and left to themselves, will improve over time.
But, the Bible says that humanity is totally depraved and so does our life experience.
The Psalmist says:
We read in Proverbs:
The wisdom of Ecclesiastes says:
Anyone ever have to teach a child how to disobey or do wrong?
Of course not; its already built in to all of us.
Sometimes it’s not society, but our own problems that break our heart.
When comes personal crisis, it can be difficult to praise the Lord.
Financial problems make it difficult.
Children make bad choices, and that makes it hard.
It’s not easy to rejoice when health take a turn to the worse.
When parents won’t listen, its hard for kids when parents don’t seem to understand, for them to praise the Lord.
It’s natural to become discouraged, but Paul says “rejoice!”
So does James:
“All joy?”
Many say “Give me a break” when hearing this verse.
Does James really think trials are joyful?
Well, that is what he wrote.
He didn’t say, “Consider yourself lucky, or don’t trials make you happy?”
He wrote, “Consider it all joy.”
There is a difference.
Joy is calmness that we experience in the storm.
Joy is a delight that still our heart and anchors the soul.
Why can you have “calm delight” when trials come?
Ultimately we rejoice because we know that Christ is our great conqueror.
Our reason for praise is ultimate, but it is also immediate.
We rejoice because Jesus is our shelter and deliverer.
That is why the Psalmist David cried out:
Also in the Psalms:
That is why barren Hannah could pray:
It is why Isaiah could pronounce:
By His grace, Paul declares that Christ has elevated us to the heavenly places:
Paul writes, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord!”
Easy for him to say, right?
When he wrote the book, the Apostle Paul sat under house arrest.
His chains restricted his public ministry.
Yes, our feet are in the world, with all its problems and depravity, bu:
Our spirit soars into the heavenly places when we Praise the Lord!
Jesus sent His disciples out to witness.
They came back.
They were so thrilled.
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