JOY/FULL: A GENEROUS AND CONTENT LIFE
(Joy in the Lord - October 29, 2023)
Series Big Idea: "Because God exalted Jesus, the crucified servant, with the name above every name, knowing Jesus Christ is more joyous and vital than anything else"
Sermon Big Idea: “God wants us to experience His peace and joy and rest, not worry“
Key Scripture (Philippians 4:1-7)
Corrie ten Boom, known for hiding Jews from being arrested and deported during the German occupation of the Netherlands, once said about the destructive force of worry, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.” Worry starts as a trickle in the human mind and digs out a trench until it becomes a Canyon where all other thoughts and ideas drain into it.
Do you ever look at a situation in your life and ask, “What if”? Do you jump to conclusions and make a mountain out of a molehill? All you can think of is the worst in the situation. You need to realize that God wants you to experience His peace and joy and rest, not stress.
In this final sermon in our series on the theme of joy in the book of Philippians, we will see how Paul urges his readers and us to learn how to keep worry from stealing our joy. He is going to teach us how we can have peace and joy with God and in all our relationships.
(Philippians 4:1-7)
So then, my brothers, you are dearly loved and longed for—my joy and crown. In this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. 2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 2 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
We have seen throughout this book the compassion and love that the Apostle Paul had for this church in Philippi. Lives lived in the fruit of the Spirit was his main concern for them. But to experience all the love, joy, and peace of God, Christ must be at the center of their lives.
In the first couple of verses of chapter four Paul encouraged this church to protect the unity in their congregation and remain unwavering in the gospel. He then identified two specific people who needed to lay down their own personal preferences. The specific nature of the problem between these two women, Euodia and Syntyche, is not mentioned. But the problem must have been brewing for a while and Paul felt he needed to address them by name. It is important to note here that he doesn’t take sides. Why did he feel he had to mention the situation?
It doesn’t seem that the problem was doctrinal. Couldn’t he have just let it go and let them agree to disagree? Obviously not. Why? Disagreement is not like-mindedness or putting another’s interests above your own. How can you value someone more than yourself and keep a grudge against them? Since we can't do both, we must be proactive in settling disagreements rather than letting them fester. It doesn’t matter how nice and courteous we are in someone’s presence; a broken relationship is broken.
In last week’s passage, Paul explained that rejoicing protects us from discouragement. In today’s text, he takes the theme a little further by saying rejoicing also protects against division. If you are choosing to rejoice in the Lord, it will be almost impossible to hold a grudge against others. To forgive someone, you must let go of your bitterness and hatred. Being resentful is not rejoicing.
The result of accepting Paul's advice not to worry in (4:7) is most important. The peace that only God can provide accomplishes some amazing things.
Conclusion:
Peace or (salom) was a normal way to tell a person goodbye in New Testament times. Before Jesus went to the cross, He once told His disciples that although He would be leaving the world physically, He was leaving His peace with them (John 14:27). This was a twofold statement. First, they would have peace with God (Romans 5:1). Every person who has been born or will ever be born on earth is a natural enemy of God because of inherited sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). When we are born into this world we are at war with God. It is a war we will never win. Because He is a just God, He cannot overlook our sin. Our sin demands punishment (Romans 3:23; 6:23). It is impossible for us to create peace with God because our righteousness is filthy rags compared to God’s righteousness (Isaiah 64:6). But because of His Son’s perfect life and death on the cross, the sins of everyone who will put their trust in Him are paid for (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus is the prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). He is the only One who gives us peace with God. Therefore, the message of salvation is called the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15).
Lastly, this initial peace that comes from having our conscience wiped clean grows as we get to know God better (Hebrews 10:22; 2 Peter 1:2). We begin to really understand that He really will make all things work together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
So, Christian, are you going to hang on to the things that continue to breed worry and anxiety in your life or are you going to thankfully offer them up to God? The choice is yours.
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
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