[All Things Series] We the PeopleSample

We the People will Rejoice in the Lord and be Gracious

The church of Philippi, as well as most churches during the times of the apostle Paul, faced many trials and difficulties. Being a Christian in the first century after Christ implied handling conflicts between new teachings and dangerous false teaching, and facing constant persecution, including having your leaders imprisoned. 

The early Christians had a lot of reasons to be sad and cast down, and yet, Paul called them to rejoice in the Lord always. It is easy to rejoice when things are going smoothly, but it takes a lot of courage to rejoice when everything seems to be working against you. And it is precisely for this reason that Paul calls us to rejoice in the Lord. Joy does not come from external circumstances. Joy comes from the inside, from keeping our eyes and focus on Jesus and the gift of our salvation in and through Him. 

This confidence in Jesus’s work produces an indescribable joy that makes us stand firm and enjoy the benefits of being children of God. We have assurance and an outlook on life that is entirely different from the one the world has. Out contentment comes from the Lord, from the spiritual perspective of things. 

Nonetheless, Paul does not stop at rejoicing. He also called the Philippians to be gracious. Graciousness implies gentleness, yielding, and patience. A gracious person does not insist on his or her rights and privileges but is considerate towards others. Paul urges us to be selfless in our humility and to serve and care for others.

But there is more. The ending of this trail of thought is the main focus and reason behind the apostle’s calling to the church to grow closer, seek healing in their relationships, stand firm, and rejoice in the Lord. Paul says, “Remember, the Lord is coming soon” (Philippians 4:5 NLT). 

That is our perspective as children of God: The Lord is coming soon. Let us be ready, rejoice in higher things, and be thankful. Count it a privilege to pray for our leaders for wisdom and to pray for those essential workers who are putting their lives at risk every day to keep us safe. Do not miss rejoicing in God in these moments. May we be the people who volunteer, help, pray, and serve by being gracious to one another. 

In all things, draw closer and heal your relationships, stand firm and rejoice in the Lord, and remember, Jesus is coming soon! 

This devotional plan is based on the All Things Series, “We the People,” preached by Pastor Gregg Matte. To watch the whole sermon, please follow this link: 

https://houstonsfirst.org/message/we-the-people