Last week, we explored how to shine like stars for Jesus. This week we will conclude our study of Philippians by looking at what it means to “rejoice in the Lord” and Paul’s admonition to “press on.”
3 “Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Background: Remember that Paul is under house arrest in Rome as he writes this letter knowing that the end of his life might be near. Do we find him complaining in this letter? NO! Instead, his focus was on rejoicing. In fact, he mentions joy or rejoice 16 times in the letter.
“Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord!”
Paul begins this verse with finally. Finally is better rendered “furthermore,” “so then,” or “now then.” It is a word of transition, not conclusion since half of Philippians follows it.
Here are five observations about rejoicing from this text.
The first is that rejoicing is commanded.
Rejoicing is Commanded
The word rejoice is given in the imperative sense in the Greek. That means it expresses a command. It is something that is to be done. It’s not a suggestion. It’s not optional. Rejoicing in the Lord is commanded.
For the obedient follower of Christ rejoicing in the Lord will flow from their life. But part of living the life of obedience to God and His Word is rejoicing. If we are rejoicing in the Lord, we are living in obedience to God’s Word. If we are not rejoicing in the Lord, we are disobeying the Word of God.
Last week, Paul told the Philippians and us that we’re not to complain and argue. Look back at Paul’s instruction in Philippians 2:14
“Do all things without complaining and disputing….”
We are not to complain, but we are to rejoice in the Lord.
Remember the example that was mentioned during the message last week from the Old Testament. In Exodus 16, we’re given the account of the Israelites as they are traveling in the wilderness. They are complaining about hunger and remembering how much food was available to them back in Egypt. Exodus 16:2.
Exodus 16:2 “Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.”
And how did Moses respond to the complaining of the Israelites in verse 8?
Exodus 16:8 Also Moses said, “This shall be seen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full; for the LORD hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD.”
He says, “it’s not us you’re complaining against. You are complaining against the Lord.” They were not rejoicing but they were complaining.”
When we complain, whom are we ultimately complaining against? If the Lord is sovereign and in control—and He most certainly is sovereign and in control—aren’t we actually complaining against God?
Complaining usually stems from a lack of contentment and our selfishness. When things don’t go our way where is our focus going to be?
When the person we voted for in an election doesn’t get elected, are we going to complain or are we going to rejoice in the Lord knowing that He is ultimately the one in control? When our health fails, are we going to complain or rejoice in the Lord? When money is tight, are we going to complain or rejoice in the Lord? When our spouse isn’t meeting our expectations, are we going to complain or rejoice in the Lord?
We’ve been told to do all things without complaining. We’ve been told to rejoice in the Lord. Rejoicing is commanded. It’s not an option for the believer. If we choose to complain, we are disobeying God.
We could classify Philippians 2:14 as the putting off—put off complaining—get rid of it—it’s no good—it will destroy us and discourage those around us.
And let’s be careful we don’t just write off what we’re talking about here. Our inclination is to deny that we really are complainers. “I don’t complain I just tell it like it is.”
If we really want to know whether we have a problem with complaining perhaps we should ask your spouse to give us their opinion about whether we are a complainer or not. If we don’t have a spouse, ask a close friend—do you think I complain? Those closest to us will know if we are one to complain or not. We hide it from others pretty well, but those close to us know.
Paul has been a great example for us. As mentioned at the beginning of this message that Paul was writing this letter to the Philippians while he was a prisoner. But his writing isn’t filled with a list of gripes and complaints. His joy has been clear throughout his letter. He knew what it was to rejoice in the Lord.
Notice also that rejoicing is for Christians.
If we are going to rejoice in the Lord, we must have a relationship with Him. We cannot rejoice in the Lord if we are not following Him. We can think all the happy positive thoughts we want, but if we haven’t trusted Jesus Christ as my Savior, there is no basis for rejoicing in the Lord.
Philippians 1:18 “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this, I rejoice.”
Paul was in prison and there were those that were preaching Christ with wrong motives—they were trying to add to Paul’s affliction. How did Paul respond? Was he bitter? Was he complaining? No, he was rejoicing! He was rejoicing in the fact that even though they had wrong motives, Christ was being preached. Paul’s relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ was the basis of his rejoicing.
Rejoicing in the Lord is not dependent on our circumstances or our surroundings. It is dependent on our relationship with Jesus Christ. We can be facing the greatest difficulties and challenges in our lives, but if we have trusted Christ, regardless of how bad things are for us, we can rejoice in the Lord! Thank goodness that rejoicing in the Lord doesn’t depend on ideal circumstances. But it does depend on our relationship with Him. How encouraging to know that we can rejoice in the Lord in spite of situations that are far from perfect.
Rejoicing is commanded. Rejoicing is for Christians and… rejoicing is crucial.
Rejoicing is Crucial
Notice the phrase in Philippians 3:1 that Paul uses, “It is no trouble for me to write these things to you again…..”
He’s already called the Philippian believers to rejoice in this letter in Philippians 2:18. Paul says, “So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.”
The word rejoice appears several times throughout the book of Philippians. It’s a repeated theme because it’s crucial. It’s important. The theme of joy and rejoicing is repeated often throughout Scripture.
Nehemiah 8:10 “Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Psalm 33:1 “Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.”
Joy and rejoicing are crucial. It’s important. Paul says for me to write the same things is not tedious. The word tedious in the Greek means sluggish, slothful or backward. Paul isn’t being lazy by repeating the call to rejoice. He repeats the theme because it’s important.
Before a child learns to read, he is drilled on the alphabet. Repetition is important in helping the child learn each letter and to be able to recognize them and know the sound they make.
In mathematics, children are drilled on addition facts and multiplication. Repetition is vital in building the foundation a child needs to read or solve math problems.
Repeating scripture verses you are trying to commit to memory is necessary for future recall.
And repeating the theme of rejoicing is important for the believer. Rejoicing is foundational to success in the Christian life. That’s why we continue to gather around God’s Word every Sunday. Many of us have heard God’s Word taught for years but still gather to hear God’s Word taught and preached because we realize that it’s a good thing to be reminded—we need to be reminded.
Rejoicing is commanded. It is for the Christian. It’s crucial. And it’s critical for our safety.
Rejoicing is Critical for Our Safety
The last phrase in verse one is, for us to be safe. “….it is a safeguard for you.” When we are rejoicing in the Lord, we are going to be content. If we are complaining and not satisfied instead of rejoicing, we’re going to be vulnerable to sin.
Rejoicing in the Lord is a safeguard for us. It keeps our focus on the goodness of God, where it should be, and off of ourselves. When we fail to rejoice in the Lord, it’s easy for us to be selfish and chase the things that please us instead of choosing those things that please the Lord.
Rejoicing is commanded. It is for the Christian. It’s crucial. It’s critical for our safety. And it helps us focus on the future.
Rejoicing helps Us Focus on the Future
12 “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Rejoicing in the Lord moves us from our past/present condition to the future. Our focus then is what lies ahead of us and not what is behind us.
Concluding Remarks and Application
We could classify Philippians 2:14 as the putting off—put off complaining—get rid of it—it’s no good—it will destroy us and discourage those around us.
If Philippians 2:14 is the put-off, then Philippians 3:1 is the put on. Put on rejoicing in the Lord—choose to rejoice in all things. And if we can’t rejoice in difficult circumstances, then rejoice that God is ultimately in control and He knows what’s best for us.
Sometimes, we get stuck in looking in our rearview mirror rather than rejoicing in what lies ahead of us.
Is rejoicing in the Lord something that characterizes our lives today? One sign that we belong to the Lord is our rejoicing in Him.
Maybe you haven’t been rejoicing in the Lord lately. If you are a believer, rejoicing in the Lord isn’t optional. It’s necessary for our walk with the Lord. It’s for our protection.
