Rejoice in the Lord

Text: Philippians 3: 1-4
Excerpt: “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you” (Verse 1).

God’s word tells us to rejoice in the Lord. Our rejoicing is to be IN the Lord. Our happiness should not rest on the transient things of this life. But what does it mean to rejoice in the Lord?

What it means to rejoice in the Lord
It means to delight ourselves in the Lord, and to make our ‘boast’ in God (Psalm 37:4, Psalm 34:1-10). It’s alright to boast, as long as our boast is in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:30-31, Jeremiah 9: 23-24). God is our strength and our salvation. It’s ok to boast about Him.

What we should 'boast' about
So, what exactly do we ‘glory’ or ‘boast’ about God? Oh, we ‘boast’, exult, joy, and glory in His work of redemption. Paul ‘boasts’ that we are the true circumcision who worship God in spirit, rejoice in Jesus Christ and have no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3: 3). This New Creation does not rely on human effort, but relies entirely on Christ’s finished work. Isaiah was so thrilled about the revelation of Christ’s redemptive work that he wondered who would believe it (Isaiah 53:1-12). We are called to celebrate the marvels of Christ’s salvation. We are enjoined to sing aloud His mercies, and revel in the wonders of His love.

A Tale of Two Apostolic Breakthroughs

In Acts 12 and 16, Peter and Paul were variously jailed for preaching the name of Jesus Christ and for healing in His name. But we also see God’s power deliver them both miraculously. Looking closer at these two breakthroughs, we learn some useful lessons. First, what these two incidents share in common:

Trial is no respecter of persons: Peter was the spokesperson for the Church in Jerusalem, yet he landed in jail. Paul was the sent one to the gentile world; still he ended up in jail. Trials and difficulties come to all of us, irrespective of our position in life. Although the circumstances may differ, but the challenges we face today are not entirely unique to us. 1 Corinthians 10:11-13.

Prayer is important: Prayers were offered in both instances for the deliverance of these men. For Peter, the Church prayed earnestly; but Paul and Silas had to pray for themselves. In both cases, God heard their prayers, and brought them salvation. The earnest, heart-felt prayer of a righteous person avails much. James 5:13-18.

God is a deliverer: Yes, Peter and Paul were jailed, but then God did deliver them supernaturally. God can always be counted on to deliver His people in times of difficulty. As long as God has a purpose over your life, He will not allow you to be broken by any circumstance. 1 Corinthians 10:11-13; Romans 8: 28-39.

Two Different Interventions
Both men were delivered by God, but the nature of their deliverance was so different. Here are a few salient points of difference:

Prayer or Praise: The church prayed for Peter, while he slept. Paul and Silas prayed in their “midnight’, but they also sang praises to God. Oh, it seems that their praise made a huge difference. Psalm 50:23.

God’s Angel or God Himself: Peter prayed, and God sent His angel to deliver Peter. Paul and Silas praised and God showed up in their midst. Yes, how God chooses to manifest His victory is His prerogative, but it is important to remember that God inhabits and dwells in the praises of His people. Psalm 22:3 Psalm 114:1-8.

Two Different “endings”: When Peter was delivered; the repercussion was that the guards charged with his safe-keeping were killed by Herod. When Paul was delivered, the result was the salvation of the prison guard charged to keep him, and an added apology from the city council. Proverbs 10:22.

Praise made all the difference
It seems that the only thing that made such a big difference was Praise. Yes, praise unleashes divine grace and power in a very deep way. It’s a divine weapon at our disposal. Psalm 149:1-9.

Thankful in All Things: How Practicable is That?

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus…The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. (I Thessalonians 5: 16-24).

God welcomes us to a life of continuous joy and thankfulness. Though it may seem difficult to imagine living such a joyful life in light of the practical realities of human existence, yet the Word of God gives us clues to the fact that this life is not only possible but mandatory for a victorious life. Paul’s epistle to the Philippian Church gives us helpful hints on the origin of this kind of joy (Philippians 1: 3-26). In this one epistle alone, Paul mentions “joy” or “rejoice” about 14 times. In fact, this letter is perhaps the most personal of Paul’s letters written to a Church. Why was it rather easy for Paul to gush with such joy, happiness and thankfulness, even though he was in prison? Paul’s joy was rooted in understanding of:

Covenant Relationship: The city of Philippi was the chief city in Macedonia where Paul started a Church (Acts 16:11-12). This Church had such a special relationship with Paul. No wonder the mere thought of them evokes joy and thanksgiving in him (Vs 3-6). Recalling our wonderful relationship with Christ ought to fill us with joy; as well as remembering that God has blessed us with spouses, children, friends, covenant partners etc.

Sacrificial Love: Every time we go all out to show sacrificial love to others, not only do we fill another soul with joy, but we also are filled with joy unspeakable. The Philippian Church loved Paul, and gave to him sacrificially (Vs 7-11, Philippians 4: 10-16). Is it surprising then that Paul was filled with joy each time he thought about them? And how wonderful is the love of Christ that saved us from our sin (Romans 5:9-11, Hebrews 13:11-16).

God Himself: Paul had a deep revelation of the love, integrity, faithfulness and power of God. The result is a joyful surrender to God, knowing that He is working all things for good (Vs 12-22, Romans 8:28, Philippians 2:13). No wonder Paul tells us to rejoice in God always (Philippians 3: 1).

Our Response
What then should be our response to such revelation of God’s love, faithfulness and power?

Refuse to Murmur: If we know that God is sovereign, then let’s endeavor to stop murmuring and complaining. Philippians 2:14-15, 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10. Life is full of minor irritations, but we are called to live above such irritations, as we trust in God who knows and sees all.

Give thanks in ALL things: I know that this may sound rather extreme. Can any one actually give thanks in ALL things; or should we even give thanks in ALL things for that matter? But God’s word is straightforward: “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:18). This is perhaps the greatest expression of our faith in God who cares for us intensely and is deeply committed to our good. Psalm 50: 23. We may not always understand what He has allowed, but we can rest in the fact that He loves us and cares deeply about us. Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 84: 11.

Breakthrough

Today, we shall examine the relationship between Paul and Titus as we seek to gain insight into certain factors that lead to breakthrough. But first, let’s define breakthrough.

What is Breakthrough?
According to online dictionary, www.dictionary.com, breakthrough could mean either or all of the following:
1. “A military movement or advance all the way through and beyond an enemy's front-line defense.” So, we when we talk about breakthrough as Christians, we mean advancing through and beyond Satan’s line of defense against us. It means going beyond defeat to living a victorious Christian life. The bible teaches us clearly that we wrestle against principalities and power and spiritual wickedness in high places. We are called to cast down imaginations and everything that oppose the knowledge or the glory of God. Ephesians 6:10-13, 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5. Sometimes, what we need most isn’t another 7-step program or counseling, but the ability to take authority over corrupting influences of Satan and his evil agents.
2. “An act or instance of removing or surpassing an obstruction or restriction; the overcoming of a stalemate”. All the resistances we experience do not all necessarily come directly from Satan and his demon spirits. Some of the opposition to salvation and victory we experience may come from wrong attitudes, ignorance etc. Hence, breakthrough also refers to breaking down all resistances that stand on our way to being all that God has called us to be. This is why teaching, counseling, mentorship and submission to the Holy Spirit become very important. Matthew 11:28-30
3. “Any significant or sudden advance, development, achievement, or increase, as in scientific knowledge or diplomacy, that removes a barrier to progress.” Breakthrough also implies a significant moment in history that marks a major advancement in your life. Hence, a spiritual breakthrough could refer to a transformative moment in time that sets the rest of your life on a higher projectile, spiritually speaking. For example, the day we received Christ as Lord and Savior is a momentous day that opens a spiritual life of grace to you. There was a day that Jabez prayed and had his fortunes in life (spiritual and physical) changed for good. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Important Keys to Breakthrough:
Here a few helpful steps that will lead to breakthrough. The list is not exhaustive, neither is it meant to be another 7-point program. But for sure, major spiritual breakthroughs have had these important elements as key factors:
1. Proper Location: It is important for us to be at the right place at the right time. Paul was a man who listened and discerned God’s leading regarding a time and a place for God’s work. Acts 16:6-10
2. The “Titus” Connection: God’s breakthrough or blessings is often tied to a person. Paul got to Troas, had an open door but could not walk into that open door; because Titus was not around. Titus was to bring him certain news regarding the Corinthian Church. Paul’s comfort in this instance was tied to a person by name Titus. 2 Corinthians 2: 12-12-13; 2 Corinthians 7: 5-6.
3. Release of Honor: The ability to honor key persons in your life will release divine breakthrough. First on that list is God. We ought to honor God always. But there are also certain persons in our lives that we ought to honor, namely, your parents, spouse, mentor, pastor, boss etc. Titus honored Paul; the Corinthian Church honored Titus and Paul by heeding instructions. 2 Corinthians 7: 5-13.
4. Heart-felt Prayer: Paul was a man of prayer. He believed in the power of prayer to effect breakthrough, and constantly prayed in times of dire circumstances. Acts 16: 24-26. James charged that we have not because we ask not (James 4: 2-3). Prayer is a divine privilege that allows us the opportunity to co-work with God in advancing His will. In the place of prayer, we can repent of our sins and mistakes, submit to God, renounce and bind he work of darkness, claim Christ’ victory and receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jacob is a good example for us (Genesis 32: 24-30).

The Hope of His Calling
(Paul's Prayer, Part 2)

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1: 18

Today, we shall meditate on Paul’s second prayer request for the Ephesian Church, namely, that their heart may be enlightened so that they may know the hope to which God has called them. Here, then, are a few points worth noting from this prayer:

God has called you. You have been chosen by God specially and specifically. Before you were born, God already knew you. Ephesians 1: 3-5, Jeremiah 1: 5-8; Jeremiah 31:2-3; 1 Peter 2: 9-10.

There is a hope to which God has called you: There is a definite purpose for which God has called you into Christ, your career, marriage, ministry etc. God is a God of purpose, plans and objectivity. Jeremiah 29:10-11. And yes, the purpose of God’s calling spans all areas of life. There is a divine hope, joyful anticipation for excellence that God has in mind for all aspects of your life.

God is only committed to His will or purpose. God is committed to what He starts. The purposes of the Lord shall be established. He works all things after the counsel of His own will. God is not committed to fulfill our will, no matter how noble or embellished they may appear to be. Ephesians 1:11, Romans 8: 28.

Only an “enlightened heart” can know God’s will or the hope of his calling. It takes divine enlightenment to know and understand the will of God, the hope of his calling in any given time or situation. And this calls for prayer and meditation. It demands listening to the Lord through worship, prayer, and meditation in God’s word. Colossians 1:9-11, Ephesians 1:18.

Knowing his will leads to living in his will. It’s not enough to know the hope of his calling, it’s also important to live in the hope of his calling; to allow God’s glorious purpose to be fulfilled in us and through us. Knowing his lead leads to living in his will. This requires leaning on the Spirit of God daily as we walk through life. Ephesians 5: 15-17, Romans 5: 5.

Christ, the hope of glory. Christ in us is the ultimate hope of our calling (Colossians 1: 27-28). We are called to become children of God through him (Ephesians 1: 3-5), to know him personally and intimately (Philippians 3: 7-10) , to conform to his image (Romans 8: 29, Ephesians 4: 13). In Christ dwells the fullness of the godhead bodily. To know Christ Jesus in his fullness is the wonderful hope of God’s call for all of us.