preached in 2001
jmicha...@juno.com
REJOICE IN THE LORD
Phil. 4:4-9
Introduction: We live in a rather gloomy time. We see congress wanting to pass laws which are contrary to the Word of God and the church. We also see them trying to give rights to those who hate God's Word.
Crime is completely out of hand. Our politicians are running out of solutions. Some think we are too hard on criminals. Others think we are too soft. The real confusion comes from straying from the Bible and Biblical
principles.
AIDS is at epidemic proportions. At the rate of the infected persons are growing, we may see 1/4 of the world's population may be infected in the next 10-15 years.
People are not coming to church as they once did. They have lost confidence in the church. TV preachers who are deep in sin and scandal bring shame to the Lord and his work. Polls show that a preacher is low on the list to be turned to when you need help.
Drugs have infested every part of our society. Our Children face this demon daily in our school yards and if we are not careful even in our church yard.
The future in this world looks rather bleak. In these days of darkness and doom, I know something we can do that will make a big difference and is to “Rejoice in the Lord alway and again I say Rejoice”.
We have much to rejoice over in this life. Rejoicing is putting joy in action. We will look at the secret of joy, the satisfaction of joy, the sources of joy and the surrender to joy. It is my intent to help make this day you can and will rejoice in the Lord.
I. THE SECRET TO JOY. vs. 5
Three Fold Secret
A. Wait upon the Lord. Psa. 27:14
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
Charles Spurgeon in his book on the Psalm called “Treasury of David” had this to say about this verse:
Wait on the Lord. Wait at his door with prayer; wait at his foot with humility; wait at his table with service; wait at his window with expectancy. Suitors often win nothing but the cold shoulder from earthly patrons after long and subject waiting; he speeds best whose patron is in the skies. Be of good courage. A soldier's motto. Be it mine. Courage we shall need, and for the exercise of it we have as much reason as necessity, if we are soldiers of King Jesus. And he shall strengthen thine heart. He can lay healing right upon the weak place. Let the heart be strengthened, and the whole machine of humanity is filled with power; a strong heart makes a strong arm. What strength is this which God himself gives to the heart? Read the "Book of Martyrs," and see its glorious deeds of prowess; go to God rather, and get such power thyself. Wait, I say, on the Lord. David, in the words "I say," sets his own private seal to the word which, as an inspired man, he had been moved to write. It is his testimony as well as the command of God, and indeed he who writes these scanty notes has himself found it so sweet, so reviving, so profitable to draw near to God, that on his own account he also feels bound to write, "Wait, I SAY, on the Lord."
Psa. 37:34
“Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.”
Isa. 40:31
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
One of the hardest parts of a life as a believer is to wait. I use ATM machines so I do not have to wait. I carry a cell phone so I do not have to wait. I use the microwave so I do not have to wait. But one of the greatest rewards is to wait on the Lord. Waiting does not mean idleness but an anticipation of what He can do. Not just for He can do but how He will show who He is: Jehovah, the great I AM.
1. For his power to work. He has the power to dispose as well as disperse. He has the power to create as well as the power to convert. In fact, one of attributes is His Omnipotence. Psa. 115:3
“But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”
2. for his promises to work;
They say that there are 3000 promises in the Word of God. Let me give a few in regards to guidance of the Lord. It is promised to the Obedient only. Do not think you can live in direct disobedience and expect God to guide.
Into Pleasant Paths Psa. 23:2
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”
In Making Decisions Psa 25:9
“The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.”
Unto the End of Life Psa. 48:14
“For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.”
By Wise Counsel Psa. 73:24
“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”
By the Still Small Voice Isa 30:21
“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”
In the Midst of Uncertainties
Isa 42:16
“And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.”
Into all Truth John 16:13
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
B. Watch for the Lord. Luke 21:28
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
The hardest place you and I can watch for the Lord is in the heat of the battle. We can not see His hand in all that is going on around us. When Satan is throwing his might against
us, we fail many times to let go and LET GOD. We don't get it. We can not win against Satan except in the might of Our Commander in chief. He is a defeated foe but still powerful
enough to bring us down.
John 15:5
"without me ye can do nothing."
Phil. 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me."
Let give you three quick thoughts about during the battle.
1. During the battle, the Lord brings victory.
1 Sam. 17:47
"the battle is the Lord's"
1 John 5:4
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
2. During the battle, the Lord brings courage.
Jos. 1:9
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
3. During the battle, the Lord brings contentment. Psa. 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
C. Walk with the Lord. Psa. 86:11
"Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy
truth: unite my heart to fear thy name."
1. Truthfully
This truthfulness is a humble transparency before God. He already knows all about you. He knows your frame. He wants you to acknowledge that weakness before Him so He can show you how strong He is and is the helper of those who can not help themselves. Psa. 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
2. Trustingly Pro. 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
You can trust Him with all. As you walk with Him, you can know that He knows all and we would be amiss not letting Him be in control of all.
II. SATISFACTION OF JOY.
vs. 6
Job 35:10
"But none saith, Where is God my maker, who
giveth songs in the night"
A. It warms the heart.
Regardless of the circumstances
Regardless of the conditions
Regardless of the crisis
Regardless of the chaos.
B. It warns the adversary.
1. that Jesus is near.
2. that Jesus is knowing.
3. that Jesus is nurturing.
C. It welcomes the relief.
from the pain
from the problems
III. SOURCES OF JOY. vs. 7
A. Our salvation Luke 15:10
"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the
presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
1. we have been redeemed from Satan's filth.
Eph. 2:2-7
“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
2. we have been rescued from Satan's fate.
Rev. 20:10, 15
“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
3. we have been released from Satan's family.
1 John 3:1-3
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
B. Our Scriptures Psa. 119:14
"I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,
as much as in all riches."
The Scriptures gives comfort, companionship, and correction.
C. Our Songs Eph. 5:19,20
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”
Like this: Does Jesus Care?
Error! Bookmark not defined.Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain
Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights
dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?
Refrain
Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?
Refrain
Does Jesus care when I’ve said “good-bye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
Refrain
HE GIVETH MORE GRACE
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater;
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
Chorus:
His love has no limit;
His grace has no measure.
His power has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
verse 2
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
* Do you ever sing to Jesus?
1. sing about your troubles;
2. sing about your trials;
3. sing about your triumphs;
4. sing about your testings.
D. Spirit of God. John 16:7
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
The word "Comforter" here means one that is called along side. He lives within us. He knows your heartaches. He cares. He will comfort if you will turn to Him. You ought to make the throne of grace the first stop in heartaches and
pain not the last. What is one reason why He comforts? 2 Cor. 1:3-4
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
IV. SURRENDER TO JOY. vs. 8,9
A. Surrender your despair.
B. Surrender your depression.
C. Surrender your discouragement.
D. Surrender your disobedience.
E. Surrender your defeat.
F. Surrender your desires.
G. Surrender your drudgery.
Conclusion: Let quote a song that really says it best I think. "Give it all, Give it all, Give it all to Jesus, He can your heartache and turn it into joy."
May our Lord be our strength. Old brother Nehemiah was building the wall in Jerusalem. He had nothing much to use for material. The enemies of the Lord were on every side. But when the walls were completed, these words were spoken by Nehemiah. They were Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Pastor Mike Walls
Freedom Baptist Church Smithfield, NC
jmicha...@juno.com
Isaiah 41:10
http://freedombaptistchurchnc.wordpress.com