"REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAY !"

"REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAY !" ___ (By Ron Halbrook)

Phil. 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Introduction: 1. Joy, Rejoicing: A Keynote of Letter 2. True, Spiritual, Lasting Joy in Christ • Not Artificial Emotion, But Deep, Lasting • Not Automatic, But Commanded, Learned 3. Phil. 4:1-9 Context for Lesson • Learn How to “Rejoice in the Lord” Only As Learn Other Lessons in the Context

Phil. 4:1-9 1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. 2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I. STAND FAST IN THE LORD A. “In the Lord:” Obey Gospel, Sins Forgiven— Enter Fellowship with Christ, Rejoice!

1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I. STAND FAST IN THE LORD B. “Stand Fast:” Always Learn, Grow— Become Stronger, More Steadfast, Rejoice! • Firm in Battle for the Truth (1:27) • Firm in Battle Against False Doctrine (3:1,18-19) • Firm in Battle Against Personal Temptation (2:15)

1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I. STAND FAST IN THE LORD C. Lukewarm, Waver, Compromise, Excuses— Miserable! D. Admonish In Love & Hope— Leads to Joy

2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. II. SPIRIT OF UNITY IN THE LORD A. Two Women At Odds, Personal Conflict • Conflict, Bitterness, Alienation Grew • Their Souls In Danger • Peace & Unity of Church In Danger • No Joy in Bitterness, Retaliation, Alienation!

2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. II. SPIRIT OF UNITY IN THE LORD B. “Be of the Same Mind in the Lord” • Look Beyond Self & Selfish Pride to Christ (2:5) • Repent, Apologize, Pray, Unite— Rejoice!

3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. III. WORK TOGETHER IN THE GOSPEL A. God’s Plan: Men, Women United to Work • One Work, Different Roles (1 Tim. 2:12) • Women Seek the Kingdom (Acts 1:14) Prophesy (Acts 2:17; 21:9) Help Establish Churches (Acts 16:12-15, 40) Teach (Acts 16:1; 18:24-28)— Effective!

3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. III. WORK TOGETHER IN THE GOSPEL A. God’s Plan: Men, Women United in the Work • Paul, Yokefellow, Women, Clement, & Others • Work & Grow Together— Rejoice!

3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. III. WORK TOGETHER IN THE GOSPEL A. God’s Plan: Men, Women United in the Work B. Fuss, Fight, Fume— Divide, Dwindle, Die— No Growth, No Success, No Joy!

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. IV. REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS A. “In the Lord:” Proper Relationship with Christ • If Outside Christ: Faith, Repent, Confess, Baptism • If Fallen Away: Repent, Confess, Pray • If Faithful: Continue to Learn, Grow, Serve

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. IV. REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS B. “Rejoice:” True, Spiritual, Lasting Joy • All Joys of This World Shallow, Temporal • All Pleasures of Sin Deceive, Destroy C. “Alway: & Again:” Focus on Christ Not Earthly Condition— He Satisfies the Soul!

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. IV. REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS D. Murmur, Complain: Disobey Christ— No Joy!

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. V. MATURE, WELL-BALANCED ATTITUDE A. “Moderation:” Noble Generosity & Gentleness, Forbearance & Fairness, Reasonable & Patient • “Graciousness with strength & poise of character….Opposite of obstinacy” (A.T. Robertson, Paul’s Joy in Christ, p. 129) • Not Overreact, Not Thrown Off Balance • “Unto All Men:” Poise, Patience in All Cases

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. V. MATURE, WELL-BALANCED ATTITUDE B. Secured by Focus on Christ’s Presence & Promise, Not on Earthly Conditions— Rejoice! • Apply to All Trials: Self, Family, Church, Nation

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. VI. DRAW NEAR TO GOD IN PRAYER A. Pray: Stop Anxious, Fretful, Brooding Care • “In Every Thing:” Nothing Too Large or Too Small— Daily Needs, Tragedy, Persecution, Etc.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. VI. DRAW NEAR TO GOD IN PRAYER A. Pray: Stop Anxious, Fretful, Brooding Care • Prayer, Supplication, Requests: Not to Inform God, But to Draw Near & Lay Our Burdens at His Feet

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. VI. DRAW NEAR TO GOD IN PRAYER A. Pray: Stop Anxious, Fretful, Brooding Care • “With Thanksgiving:” In Midst of Trials, Count Our Blessings Not Our Complaints • Exercise Faith, Hope, Love: Find Peace & Joy!

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. VI. DRAW NEAR TO GOD IN PRAYER A. Pray: Stop Anxious, Fretful, Brooding Care B. Without Prayer, Burdens Heavier— No Joy!

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. VII. GOD GUARDING OUR HEARTS A. Heart Guarded If Draw Near to God in Prayer • “Keep,” “Guard:” Gives His Peace to Protect Against Fear, Dread, Destructive Anxiety

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. VII. GOD GUARDING OUR HEARTS A. Heart Guarded If Draw Near to God in Prayer • “Passeth All Understanding:” More, Better Than We Ask, Because Requests May Be Misguided— Deeper Peace, Greater Security of Soul Than We Can Ask or Understand

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. VII. GOD GUARDING OUR HEARTS A. Heart Guarded If Draw Near to God in Prayer B. Guarded, True Joy Only If In Christ (Rom. 14:17) C. Guilt, Shame, Fear, Terror in Sin— No Joy!

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. VIII. MEDITATE ON SPIRITUAL THINGS A. Ideas, Thoughts—Consequences, Conduct • Idle Mind Is Devil’s Worshop • To Defeat Satan, Fill Mind With Things Good, True

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. VIII. MEDITATE ON SPIRITUAL THINGS A. Ideas, Thoughts—Consequences, Conduct • Meditate on Porn, Fornication, Drink, Gamble, Etc.: Lead to Sinful Conduct— Guilt, No Joy

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. VIII. MEDITATE ON SPIRITUAL THINGS A. Ideas, Thoughts— Consequences, Conduct • Meditate on Spiritual Things: Lead to Right Conduct—Joy!

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. IX. STRICTLY FOLLOW APOSTLES’ TEACHING A. All Gospel Truth Revealed Through Apostles • Revealed Truth, Not Human Doctrines (Jn. 16:13; 1 Cor. 14:37)

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. IX. STRICTLY FOLLOW APOSTLES’ TEACHING A. All Gospel Truth Revealed Through Apostles • Standard, Pattern for Us in Morals & Doctrine (1 Tim. 3:14-15; 2 Tim. 1:13)

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. IX. STRICTLY FOLLOW APOSTLES’ TEACHING A. All Gospel Truth Revealed Through Apostles • Direct Statement, Approved Example, Necessary Implication

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. IX. STRICTLY FOLLOW APOSTLES’ TEACHING A. All Gospel Truth Revealed Through Apostles • “Do:” Keep on Doing, Strict & Habitual Practice

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. IX. STRICTLY FOLLOW APOSTLES’ TEACHING B. True Joy if Strictly Follow the Truth, But Satan Promises Greater Joy in Sin & Error (1 Jn. 1:4)

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Invitation: • In Christ: True, Spiritual, Lasting Joy • In Sin: Darkness, Depression, Defeat, & Death

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Invitation: 3. Obey the Gospel, Go from Darkness to Light • “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Invitation: 3. Obey the Gospel, Go from Darkness to Light • “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22).

"REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAY !"