Young People's Group

The Challenge to Rejoice in the Lord

by Mitchell Tan
November 29, 2018

LOCATING OUR JOY IN THE LORD

Young people, where is your joy in life located in? For some of us, it is placed in fun and games. For others, it is in being with friends or having a good meal. For the apostle Paul, his joy was found in the Lord Jesus Christ. He had such a deep and personal relationship with Him that He was his constant source of joy. This was something that Paul challenged the Philippian Church to cultivate and possess in their life and ministry.

“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.”
Philippians 3:1

There was a deep sense of love for the Philippians as he wrote these words. He called them his brethren. There is a strong exhortation by Paul to them to rejoice in the sphere of the Lord Jesus. The word “rejoice” has the idea of grace involved. It takes grace for them to be able to rejoice and continue to do so. The Lord Jesus had taught the disciples concerning how His joy would remain in them and that their joy may be full (John 15:11). Joy is something from the Lord. The Philippians were to choose to rejoice in the person of the Lord Jesus and what He had done for them. When we abide in Him, in His word and in His love, His joy would remain in us.

THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL IN REJOICING IN THE LORD

1. GIVING THANKS TO GOD FOR THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE PHILIPPIANS

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now”
Philippians 1:4-5

Paul, despite being incarcerated, still found joy to be thankful to the Lord for his friendship and fellowship in the gospel with the Philippians. There was a deep sense gratitude and joy as he prayed to God each time for them. He had supernatural joy in the Lord. Prayer was a special time of joy for Paul as he prayed for the Philippians.

2. CHOOSING TO REJOICE IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES

“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 1:18

Joy was also something Paul vigorously chose to have in the Lord. It did not matter that the false teachers were seeking to hurt him even as they sought to preach the gospel. He mentioned the word “rejoice” twice for emphasis. Paul would choose to rejoice and will continue to do so because Christ is preached and that is all that matters to him. It took spiritual maturity on his part to do this. He learnt to have a godly focus that enabled him to rejoice in all circumstances.

PROGRESS AND JOY OF FAITH

“And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith”
Philippians 1:25

Paul was most confident that he would remain behind and he would help the Philippians to progress in faith. They needed to advance further in their faith. The Philippians were considered one of the best churches that Paul ministered to and yet there was room for them to grow further. As they made progress in their faith, they would also grow in their joy of faith. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. The more we relate and are sensitive to His Spirit, the more this fruit of Joy will grow. Let’s seek to rejoice in the Lord as we make progress in our faith. Youth Conference will start this Sunday. Let’s look forward to learning how we can progress in faith. Let’s learn to have great joy in the Lord this Christmas.

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