Meaningful Life
Date: May 27, 2024
Philippians 4:1-7
1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Bible Reading: Philippians 4:1-7
Sermon Topic: Joy In All Situations
Take Home Point: ”Rejoice in the Lord Always”
As we observe Memorial Day throughout the United States of America today, I want to use this medium to express our sincere condolences to all those who lost a husband, wife, brother, sister, sons, and daughters fighting for the freedom and safety of the United States of America. Our prayer is that the Almighty God through His Son Jesus Christ will bring peace, comfort, healing to you all.
Our journey on earth comes with a mixed cup of struggles and conflicts. The way we respond to these struggles and conflicts is very key to our success or failures in life. Our response could be the determining factor in our living a happy and peaceful life or a life of chaos, pain, sorrow, and sadness. Throughout the book of Philippians, the apostle Paul has been encouraging us to rejoice in the Lord in prayer so we can experience the peace that comes in Christ Jesus. Let us look at a few of the verses we had studied earlier on:
1:4 “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”
2:2 “then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”
2:17 “But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.”
3:1 “Further, my brothers and sisters, 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.”
As we dive into chapter 4, the closing part of his letter to the Philippian church, Paul begins this chapter with a joyful advise “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!” A joyful Christian is one that is at peace with the Lord, he or she is at peace with fellow brethren in the Lord, a joyful Christian is one that is not under the oppression of Satan but abides under God’s law. A joyful Christian is one that always pleases the Lord. The apostle Paul qualifies the joyful Christian as his joy and crown. That is his success, his victory in his walk for the Gospel of Jesus.
As we begin this new week, I pray that we all find reasons to rejoice in the Lord always.
Pastor David Kachi Jite