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This message is from Garland Van Dyke at Bible Points!Matthews St. church of Christ1915 Matthews Street, Bay City, TX 77414
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Hello , Rejoice? Really?
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4. NLT.
1. In the Lord. Your joy is found in the Lord, not in the world, nor things of the world. People will let you down. Possessions wear away. Entertainment lasts only so long. You must be in the Lord to find everlasting joy. No Jesus, no joy. No Lord and master, no joy. Galatians 3:27 states we are in the Lord when we put on the Lord by baptism for the forgiveness of sins. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. Galatians 3:27. NLT.
2. Joy. What kind of joy are we talking about? It's the kind of happiness you experience every day all the way to heaven! Here's a listing of reasons to be joyful from Vine's Expository Dictionary:
In the Lord, Phi_3:1; Phi_4:4;
His incarnation, Luk_1:14;
His power, Luk_13:17;
His presence with the Father, Joh_14:28;
His presence with believers, Joh_16:22; Joh_20:20;
His ultimate triumph, Joh_8:56;
Hearing the gospel, Act_13:48;
Salvation, Act_8:39;
Receiving the Lord, Luk_19:6;
Enrollment in Heaven, Luk_10:20;
Liberty in Christ, Act_15:31;
Hope, Rom_12:12 (cf. Rom_5:2; Rev_19:7);
Prospect of reward, Mat_5:12;
Obedience and godly conduct of fellow believers, Rom_16:19, RV, "I rejoice" (KJV, "I am glad"); 2Co_7:7, 2Co_7:9; 2Co_13:9; Col_2:5; 1Th_3:9; 2Jo_1:4; 3Jo_1:3;
Proclamation of Christ, Phi_1:18;
Gospel harvest, Joh_4:36;
Suffering with Christ, Act_5:41; 1Pe_4:13;
Suffering in the cause of the gospel, 2Co_13:9 (1st part); Phi_2:17 (1st part); Col_1:24;
In persecutions, trials and afflictions, Mat_5:12; Luk_6:23; 2Co_6:10;
Manifestation of grace, Act_11:23;
Meeting with fellow believers, 1Co_16:17, RV, "I rejoice"; Phi_2:28;
Receiving tokens of love and fellowship, Phi_4:10;
The "rejoicing" of others, Rom_12:15; 2Co_7:13;
Learning of the well-being of others, 2Co_7:16.
3. Twice Said. The Apostle says "rejoice" twice! That's a double emphasis. Here's what Mr. Thayer said about peace (I think it goes perfectly with joy): "the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is." You can have as much joy as you want... in the Lord!
Tip: Our joy is a realization of our relation to and in the Lord of the universe!
Prayer: Our Father, our Father. Thank You for giving us plentiful reasons for joy upon this earth. Thank You for showing us our spiritual blessings are found only in Jesus Christ, the Lord. No matter how dim life gets, we always look to Jesus, our blessed Savior, for solace, comfort, and knowing we are going home one day. Thank You, O God, our Father, all in all! Amen!
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