Rejoice!

Turn in your Bibles to Philippians chapter 4.! Yes, and I ask you, loyal yoke fellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me, put it into practice, and the God of peace will be with you.

Good afternoon. It's a joy for me to be here this afternoon to preach the word of God.

Amen. We will see today, what God says in the text, which we have just read, which we have read, which we have read, which we have read, which we have read.

Without the help of the Holy Spirit, you will understand this preaching as you understood what I said just now in Swiss German.

We need him. You need him. I need him. And the translation of the Holy Spirit is more powerful because it can not only make it comprehensive in our mind, but also move our entire body to respond in practice to the word of God.

This afternoon, after this lunchtime, we will rejoice. We will rejoice. The Apostle Paul, who wrote the letter to the Philippians guided by the Holy Spirit, he's rejoiced.

We see it during the whole letter. Let me show you. In chapter 1, verse 4, I pray with joy. 1.18, I rejoice.

I will continue to rejoice. 2.17, I rejoice. 2.17, I rejoice with you. 4.1, my brothers, you, my joy.

4.10, I rejoice greatly. And several times, he enjoins the Philippians to rejoice with him.

Look at chapter 1, verse 25. He says to them, I'm alive for your joy in faith.

2.2, make my joy complete. 2.18, you should rejoice with me. 2.28, you may be glad.

Or in Greek, you may rejoice. 2.29, welcome Epaphroditus in the Lord with great joy. 3.1, rejoice in the Lord.

4.4, rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice. Paul is rejoiced and encouraged the Philippians to rejoice with him.

He has a very deep relation with this church who supported him from the beginning. We see that he loves the church. We read in chapter 1, for example, I thank my God every time I remember you.

And in chapter 4, my brothers whom I love and long for. We see that he loves the church in the chapter 4.

We see that Paul is looking for what may be credited to their account. I said it just in Swiss German before. He looked for her best.

When he was in Philippi, he preached the gospel of Christ and he was thrown in prison. Maybe you remember this story. And during the night, there was a violent earthquake and all the prison doors flew down, flew open, sorry.

The jailer thought the prisoners had escaped. He wanted to kill himself. But Paul arrested him. Tell him him.

Tell him him that all the prisoners were there. The jailer and all his family came to Christ this night. And with all the people from the city, like Lydia, for example, they founded the church of Philippi.

That's to this church that Paul is writing. That's to this church that Paul writes, I thank my God every time I remember you.

In all my prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy. With joy. Why was he rejoicing about?

In chapter 1, we see this sentence, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first time until now.

Paul rejoiced because of the work of God, the gospel received by these Philippians. And today, we'll consider this rejoicing and consider some advices to rejoice.

In the text of Philippians 4, 2-9, we find four important advices to consider to be able to understand how to rejoice.

The first one, rejoice in unity. Second one, rejoice in the Lord. Then, rejoice in prayer. And rejoice in your thoughts.

So first, rejoice in unity for the verse 2 and 3. So if we look at the verse 2 and 3, it is written, I plead with Odiah and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.

Yes. And I ask you, loyal yoke fellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose name are in the book of life.

How is it possible to rejoice when we are in trouble with somebody? During the Sunday school, we are learning to be peacemakers.

The true peacemaker is Christ. And we are thankful to be able to look at him. We know that, and we've seen just this morning, we know that to be able to be in peace with the others and with ourselves, we need to be in peace with God first.

When the relation with the Creator is good, we can work on the human relationships. Paul loves this church as a good shepherd.

He knows that something was going wrong between Odiah and Syntyche. He pleads with them. I could say, as you pastors plead when something is going wrong between siblings in Christ.

And the plead will be the same as the inspired apostle. Agree with each other in the Lord. Or in another translation, to be of the same mind in the Lord.

Paul applies what he said in chapter 2 to a practical situation with Odiah and Syntyche. Chapter 2, he said, Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, and being on one spirit and purpose.

But doesn't misunderstand Paul. His idea was not that one submits to the idea of the other one, or to his own idea.

But what he wants, and that's always the best, what he wants is that they think as Christ together. That's the way to rejoice, to think as Christ.

Paul just defined what was the mind of the Lord in chapter 2. Read with me the verse 5 to 8. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.

To rejoice, we need to have a good relationship, and that's only possible if we have the same master, who is Christ.

To rejoice, we need to aim for the same thoughts, these of Christ. Christ, Christ who made himself nothing, humbled himself, and became obedient to death, to provide for the salvation of the believers.

Do we have the strength to humble ourselves, to become obedient? Oh no. We need to be in Christ, and only in him, we can together, have the same thought, that was in Christ.

To rejoice in unity, we need to be rooted in Christ, to have the same thoughts. So the first advice, to be able to rejoice, is the unity, with the brothers and sisters, in Christ.

As children of God, your names are written, in the same heavenly book. We are in the same, holy family, with the same father, with the same word of God.

This God, who is not divided. And now, a powerful encouragement. Jesus, asked his father, in John 17, for those who will believe, that all of them, may be one, just as he is, in the father, and the father in him.

And you know, all the prayers of Jesus, are granted by God. What a beautiful encouragement, to not give up, but persevere, in difficult relationships, to find a thought, in Christ, together, and rejoice, in unity.

Jesus asked that, to his father, God will do it. Rejoice, in unity. The first advice. And secondly, in verse 4, Paul says, rejoice in the Lord, always.

And he repeats, to be sure, to be sure, that the Philippians, understand, I will say it again, rejoice. To rejoice, to rejoice, always.

That's, only possible, if this joy, is independent, of the circumstances. That's a word. Do you, do you know, a good news, who is independent, of the circumstances?

A message, we can, give to a child, to an old man, to somebody healthy, or ill, just after a storm, or in a protected region, in America, in Switzerland.

This message, is the gospel. This is the work, of the Lord. We find it, in him. And, Habakkuk, had understood that, in, it was a difficult time.

And, he said, I will, rejoice, in the Lord. I will be joyful, in God, my Savior. And, to be able, to rejoice, in the Savior, and his gospel, it is important to know, what is, the gospel?

You know, during the time, we are, here, in this church, we have, heard the gospel, every, Sunday. You, are blessed, to hear it.

And, if at the end, of the service, of this service, to come out, of this room, you have to answer, one question. And, if this question is, what is the gospel?

What do you answer? What is the gospel? The answer, to this question, and his understanding, will show us, the kind of joy, we can experiment, to rejoice, in the Lord, always.

How is it possible, to rejoice, about something, if we don't know, what it is? I encourage you, to exercise, to do this exercise, in your family, or with your friends, or, ask you each other, what is the gospel?

And, give an answer, of course. when we went, to church, in Washington, D.C., two weeks ago, I received a book, called, what is gospel?

It was just, a time, to answer the question, of this afternoon, no? And, before to read it, I tried to give, my own answer, and when I read, this book, I understood, that in my, quick answer, that one point, was missing, in my answer.

There are several ways, to answer the question, and we can use, a lot of different words, to describe the gospel, of course. The gospel, is at the same time, simple, and very deep.

But, four parts, have to be present, in the presentation, of the gospel, who is clearly, clearly developed, in Romans 1 to 4. And, this four part, can be looked, through four questions.

The first one, and you can try, in your head, to answer the question, and then I will answer it. Who made us, and to whom, are we accountable?

First question. Who made us, and to whom, are we accountable? The answer, is clearly, God. And, we can develop, this answer, in describing, the creator, his providence, his sovereignty, etc.

Okay? The second question. What is, our problem? In other words, are we in trouble? And, why?

The problem is, man's rebellion, against God. And again, we can also develop, and explain, the fall in sin, the consequences, the total corruption, and so on.

Third question. What is, God's solution, to that problem? How, has he acted, to save us, from it?

The answer, is clearly, the life, death, and resurrection, of Jesus Christ, completely God, completely man. As well, we can develop, this point, and for example, clearly understand, that the redemption, is totally, the work of God.

I had, these three points, in my head, but one, was missing. These three points, are fundamental, to describe the gospel.

And we can, rejoice, for the third point, who, we see, the extraordinary God, gives, gives himself. But, with only, these three points, we are like children, in a, very, very, very, cold, day.

Okay, very, it will come, in a couple of weeks. Very cold day, with snow, in the night, outside, without light. These children, who are looking, in a heated, and lighted house, with food, and gifts.

With the three points, we are like, these children, looking at the treasure, behind the window. So, the fourth question, how do I, myself, right, here, right now, how do I, come to be included, in that salvation?

What makes, this good news, for me, and, not just for someone else? And the answer is, by repentance, from sin, and faith, in Christ.

That is the response, and, we know, that it is related, to the, regeneration, work of God, in our heart. Oh, yes, of course.

The gospel, is not only, an explanation. And, when, I read that, I was so rejoiced. The gospel, is not only, an explanation.

salvation. It is something, I, and you, can live, by the grace of Christ. We are accountable, to God, to the God, who created us.

We have sinned, against that God, and will be judged. But, oh, I spoke with somebody, in the church, who like this, but. But, and in French, but, means goal.

But, God has acted, in Jesus Christ, to save us. And, we, take hold, of that salvation, by repentance, from sin, and faith, in Christ.

So, if you are not, included, in that salvation, today, maybe, you know, very well, the three first points. repent, from your sin, and put your faith, in Christ.

And, rejoice, in the Lord. Enter the house, and don't stay, behind the window. Rejoice, in the Lord. Rejoice, in his gospel, and, in relying, on him, for everything.

A little trick, to remember, the different points, of the gospel. Four words, the first one, related with the first question, is God. The second one, related with the second question, what is our problem, man, with the sin.

Third, word, Christ. And, fourth word, response. God, man, Christ, response. Rejoice, in unity, was the first advice.

Rejoice, in the Lord, and in his gospel, was the second. And, thirdly, rejoice, in prayer. In Philippians 4, 6 to 7, you can read with me, Philippians 4, 6 to 7, we read, do not be anxious, about anything, but in everything, by prayer, and petition, with thanksgiving, present to you, request to God.

And, the peace of God, which transcends, all understanding, will guard your hearts, and your minds, in Christ Jesus.

I think, everybody, here in the room, knows, how, how a car, works. Or, if you don't know, ask your parent, to show you, how it works.

So, to move, to move, to move, we use, one accelerator pedal, and one brake pedal. The accelerator, is the prayer, and the brake, is the anxiety.

So, after the church, you can try to accelerate, at the same time, as you press on the brake. It doesn't work very well. Rejoice, with anxiety, is the same, as to move, with the brake pressed.

Paul, recommend us, do not be anxious, about anything. Okay, that's more easy to say, than to live.

But, God, doesn't leave us, without help. He tells us, what he can, what we can do, in everything, and we have everything, in him. And, after the fall, in sin, the way, to God, was broken.

As when we are, without internet connection. Now, we need this connection. But, God, restored this line. He offered, a free connection, through his son.

And, we can now, speak to God. Jesus is like, the connection, the letter, to come to God. Without Christ, we have no communication, no possibility, to enter in contact.

But, we can pray, putting our faith, in Jesus Christ, with thanksgiving. Rejoice, with prayers, is the same, as to move, with the accelerator.

Jesus, our divine example, prayed for everything. He stood up, in the morning, to pray. He prayed, before feeding, thousands of people. He prayed, during one night, before to choose, his disciples.

He prayed, in the garden, of Gethsemane. He prayed, on the cross, in everything. So, preparing, your shopping, shopping list, or in the way, going to school, or before playing a game, or when we are sad, or happy, before to preparing, a teaching, or, for everything.

Can pray for, driving your track, for everything. It doesn't have, to be long prayers. Jesus, in the front, of the tomb, of Lazar, said, two sentences.

But the prayer, have not to be, only short. Jesus prayed, during a whole night, before choosing, his disciples. And then, a wonderful promise, followed this command, to prayer.

And, if there are some people, who like the but, I like the and. It's written there, and, the peace of God, will transcend, all understanding, will guard your hearts, and your minds, in, Jesus Christ.

Sometimes, when Spurgeon, was praying, he was remembering, to God, what he said, in his scripture. He said, you said it, you will do it.

our hearts, and our minds, in Christ. That's the best situation, to be able, to rejoice. Sometimes, we, don't know, and we don't understand, how it could be possible, to rejoice, in the Lord.

But, we don't have to understand. We have only, to present, our request, to God, by prayer, and petition, with, thanksgiving. and, the peace of God, which, transcend, transcend, all understanding.

So, if I don't understand, doesn't matter, will guard you, in heart, your hearts, and your mind, in Christ Jesus. So, the next time, you are in trouble, meditate, this promise.

Read it again, read it again, to understand, what God, wants to tell you. And, I can only say, oh Lord, increase, our faith, to be able, to rejoice, in prayer.

So, rejoice, in unity, that was the first advice. Rejoice, in the Lord, in the gospel, the second one. Rejoice, in prayer, the third one. And finally, rejoice, in your thoughts.

To be able, to rejoice, in our thoughts, we need to fill them, with good things. So, read with me, this text, in Philippians 4, 8 to 9.

Finally, brothers, whatever is, true, whatever is, noble, whatever is, right, whatever is, pure, whatever is, lovely, whatever is, admirable, if anything, is excellent, or praiseworthy, think about, such things.

whatever you have learned, or received, or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice, and, and the God of peace, will be with you.

You know, we always, overflow, of what we are full. Okay? It's not possible, to overflow, from something else, as what we are full.

We always overflow, about what we are full. So, why it is so important, to fill our thoughts, with good things? So, that's similar, to a good health.

Why do we have to eat, an equilibrated food, and not constantly pops? To be healthy. Why do we have to move, and not constantly sit, before TV?

To be healthy. Why do we, have to sleep enough, to be healthy? To fill, our thoughts, with good things, is to live, healthily.

Our acts, and feelings, will follow, our thoughts. It is only possible, to rejoice, if we have good thoughts. And illustration, little story.

I know that, some people, some of the children, they like the little stories. So, imagine, you are, in a dark cellar, without window. You have only, one little light.

You are, in the opposite, of the steps, to the door, which is closed. It is damp, and cool. You imagine? It's okay. And suddenly, the light, is off.

What fill your thoughts, will drive, your reaction? You will not, react in the same way, if you had, just seen, an horror movie, as if you just, have a Bible, written, about the, Psalm 23, which speaks, about the good shepherd, who is with you, every time.

Even in the cellar. Your reaction, is related, to your thoughts. And you can, feed them, with good, or bad food.

If you are not, in peace, it will be difficult, to rejoice, in this cellar, and in the life. The peace, has to be, in our thoughts, also.

That's why, we need this, and God of peace, will be with you. Do you know, the story, of the three sieves? Sieves, you know, I didn't ask, my English teacher, so.

Do you know, what is sieve? It's okay? Because I will, use this word a lot, so it's important, that you understand. Okay. So, one day, we call him Ted, came to the wise man, and said to him, here, I have to tell you, something, about your friend, behaves, stop it.

Don't, interrupt the wise man. Did you pass, what you want to tell me, through the three sieves? Do you know, the three sieves? Three sieves, said Ted, wondering.

Yes, my friend, three sieves, examine together, if what you want, to tell me, can go through, these three sieves. The first one, is the truth.

Did you check, out, if all what you will tell me, is true? No, that's what I heard.

Okay, okay. But certainly, you tested, the second sieve. Is those, it is those, of the kindness.

If it's not exactly true, it is something kind. Hesitant Ted answers, that's not something good, contrary, said the wise man.

We could try to, the third sieve, is it useful, to tell me, what you want to say, about my friend? Useful?

Not really. So, said the wise man, if what you want, if what you want, to tell me, is not true, not kind, and unuseful, I prefer not to know it. And for your own advice, I, I, I can tell you, to forget it.

If these sieves, are useful, for a discussion, the sieves, of Paul, in Philippians, are necessary, to rejoice, in our thoughts.

Is that true, or noble, or right, or pure, or lovely, or honorable?

That's the first sieve. And the second one, is that excellent, or praiseworthy? If yes, think about it.

Think about such things, and rejoice. The Bible reading, is a good food, and helps, to rejoice. And for the conclusion, I want to read with you, one part of the Bible, who speaks about, how to rejoice.

And that's, in Psalms. Psalms, Psalm 100. Thank you. Psalm 100.

Psalm 100. Shout for joy, to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord, with gladness.

Come before him, with joyful songs. Now, that the Lord, is God. It, it is he, who made us, and we are his.

We are his people, the sheep, of his pasture. Enter his gate, with thanksgiving, and his courts, with praise. Give thanks to him, and praise his name.

For the Lord, is good, and his love, and yours forever. His faithfulness, continues, through all, generations. Amen. Let's pray.

Amen. Amen. O Lord, Heavenly Father, we are so, so thankful, for your word.

You speak to us, and through the work, of your Holy Spirit, we can grasp, understand, what you want to tell us.

O Lord, you encourage us, to rejoice, in unity. You encourage us, to rejoice, in you, in you works, in your gospel.

You encourage us, to rejoice, in prayer, to go away, for the anxiety, and to rejoice, in prayer. And your peace, will keep us, near to Christ, in Christ.

You encourage us, to rejoice, in our thoughts. You know, Lord, how fast, our thoughts, are going away. you know us, and we, ask you for help.

We know that, you are the Lord, who created us, who is able to, change our thoughts, clean our thoughts. O Lord, you know, you know our hearts.

You know that, it is not possible, to rejoice, without to be in you. And Lord, I can only, plead you, that you can, touch the hearts, of those, who are not, in the house, who are not, in the gospel, who cannot rejoice, really, in you.

We, plead, for your mercy, your grace, and we rejoice, to know that, you are, the almighty God, that, you are the one, we can worship, and will give you, all the glory, to you, who is able, to rejoice, our hearts.

In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen. Amen.