“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 NKJV
I hear the skepticism in some of your responses. “What’s there to rejoice about?” For starters you’re still here to ask the question. Two, if you knew you were dying you’d do everything to save your life. So as bad as you may think life is right now, you’d rather be here than not. Can I get an amen? Most of Paul’s letters including this one were written from a prison cell. So how could he write from a place of utter darkness such encouraging words? He wasn’t limited by his circumstances and he wasn’t letting it affect his relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. Paul had discovered a secret most of us Christians haven’t yet found: Contentment.
Listen to what he wrote in chapter one. 🤦♀️ just absolutely mind blowing.
“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
Philippians 1:12-14 NKJV
Can you believe this? He saw his imprisonment as an opportunity for the furtherance of the Gospel. He said the entire palace guard and everyone else had found out that his chains weren’t their idea, because it was all a part of God’s plan. Wow! There were some jealous Christians who were taking advantage of his imprisonment, I guess they thought with him locked up there would be no opposition to the religion they were peddling. But listen to how he responded to it. We have a lot to learn indeed.
“Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”
Philippians 1:15-18 NKJV
Wow! Wow! Wow!! He said as long as Christ is preached, he’ll continue to rejoice. Remember when the apostle John complained to Jesus that there were some people who weren't a part of their group doing what only they should be doing? Jesus responded like Paul.
“Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”Luke 9:49-50 NKJV
There wasn’t a jealous bone in Paul’s body. He wanted the gospel preached, even if those doing so we’re doing it to rub salt in his wounds. They probably didn’t like Paul’s approach and saw his imprisonment as punishment. But Paul saw everything through the eyes of his Savior. He saw opportunity everywhere. This is the apostle who wrote Galatians 2:20. He was no longer living for himself. He had died to the flesh and was now living wholeheartedly for the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing or no one could distract or move him. He continues, with the confidence of a champion.
“For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:19-21 NKJV
What! Paul saw his situation as a setup for a comeback. He never saw it as a setback. There were some who were ashamed of his imprisonment, his confidence and boldness in Christ led him to say to live or die is one and the same. As long as Christ is magnified. My God! We should be ashamed right about now. This man was in chains, probably beaten. Yet the only thing on his mind was the furtherance of the gospel. He wanted Christ to be preached. He was admonishing and encouraging the believers to live an exemplary life so that the gospel message wouldn’t be tarnished. Not once did he complain about his condition. Not once did he change his message. What’s our response to hardship-what we characterize as hardship anyway?
We have not yet suffered for our faith in Jesus Christ. We think suffering is someone rejecting our message of salvation. We think losing our jobs or being laid off is suffering. We think having no money is suffering. We think sickness is suffering. So we complain and lose our joy. We can’t even pray or worship, we're so distraught. How could God allow this to happen to me? 😩 But not Paul. If you continue reading through Philippians, you’ll find words of encouragement. Reminding them of their commitment to Jesus, to stand fast having the same mind towards the gospel, to not be terrified of their adversaries, to follow his example. And what an example it was! He reminded them to do all things without complaining, this man was in chains! I think sometimes we read the scriptures without really paying attention to what we’re reading.
He earned the right to invite us to follow him as he follows Christ, another translation reads imitate me as I imitate Christ.1 Corinthians 11:1 He had followed or imitated Christ in his suffering. If we’re going to continue serving Jesus, we’d better grow a spiritual spine and develop spiritual backbones. This walk isn’t for the faint of heart. Jesus has called us to not only live for Him, but to also die if need be for Him. Can we rejoice in that? I’m so sorry if I have ruined your morning. But that’s the reality if Jesus tarries or unless we die first. As a preacher rightfully said-We’ve grown accustomed to a gospel that has been packaged with additives and sweeteners. So now when the stripped down raw truth is taught, people can’t handle it. But I blame them. They have strayed from preaching the pure unadulterated gospel. Not Paul and certainly not the Holy Spirit. Jesus called Him the Spirit of all Truth. If you have been duped, blame yourself and your preacher.
The Holy Bible hasn’t changed over the years. It’s the same Word. We just chose to read and believe what we want. Paul said this to the Philippians and us.
“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,”
Philippians 1:29 NKJV
We skipped over that verse. We don’t like suffering, it's a curse word that we rebuke with every ounce of faith we have. But nothing doin folks. It’s the raw truth, it’s our reality. We can’t pray it away. It’s not for our sake but for His. It’s a rite of passage for the believer. We might as well get our rejoicing out of the closet and begin practicing in the light afflictions. The more bold and committed we become, the greater the opportunity for opposition and persecution. So we rejoice! Knowing that we’ve been counted worthy to suffer for Him. We rejoice knowing that the gospel is being preached to the lost. We rejoice knowing that He’s coming soon. We rejoice because there’s no better alternative. We rejoice because the message is true. It’s a message of hope and grace. We rejoice! I’ll close with these words from the one who has exemplified great rejoicing skills.
“Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.” Philippians 2:17-18 NKJV
He was locked up for preaching to them. He said I’m glad and rejoice, I’m not sorry for how things turned out, and I’d do it again. Don’t be sad for me, rejoice with me. Wow! What an impact his words must’ve had on the new converts. I pray to God that we would be of that mindset. The Church of Jesus Christ would be a force to reckon with.🙏
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
October 12, 2021
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