Broadcast Date 19-9-99

Philippians 3:1-3

It's an old story. The fable about the old fisherman who, after days of fishing without a single catch, finally caught a fish who offered to grant him whatever he asked for.

"Ask for whatever you want - just name it, and you can have your heart's desire. Just remember, though, to make your choice wisely. Be very careful . . . because you have only one chance, one wish!"

If someone gave you one wish, what would you ask for? What's the most desirable thing in the world?

Would you ask for happiness, perhaps? A lot of people would. Just to feel glad to be alive at this time of history is something many of us want. To be joyful, light-hearted, able to deal with anything, not to be dragged down by stress, etc - now that is happiness!

The big question is, though, what exactly makes you happy? What makes you laugh? What lifts your spirits on dull, drab day? What lightens the stress?

This morning we're going to look at what makes Christians happy. In fact, did you know that they are told to be happy? It's not an option for them, but the Bible tells them to be so! In Paul's letter to the Philippians (in the New Testament), God tells all of His children to: Rejoice in the Lord!1 That's right: rejoice in the Lord. In the Lord. What does that mean?

It means that Christians should not look for happiness anywhere else - not in money and possessions, in status and ambition, in achievement, in relationships, in holidays and leisure; nor in astrology, yoga, Mohammad, or any other prophet or faith. No, there is only one source of happiness for Christians, and that is the Lord! That's why they're told to rejoice in the Lord!

What is it, though, about "the Lord" that makes Christians happy? In a nutshell, it's because they know that they belong to Him, both in body and soul. Saved through Jesus' death on the cross for them, Christians can feel secure in their relationship with God - their sins have been paid for! Believers therefore never need to feel alone, and unloved because, as God Himself says, "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills removed, my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.2 That's right. No matter what happens, God's love for believers of all times and places will never die. There's no one who is more faithful than He is; there is no heart bigger than His.

That's why believers of all times have sung the beautiful words of Psalm 23:

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

Your rod and your staff they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Yes, dear friend, Christians can rejoice "in the LORD"; they know for certain that "goodness and love will follow" them. And, that they will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. That's right: they don't rejoice alone, but share their joy with fellow believers. In modern terms, that means in the Church of our LORD. As Family of the LORD, believers celebrate together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Together, they share the heritage left them by Jesus Christ, and look forward to His return.

Let's return to the letter to the Philippians now, where we first met this command, to rejoice in the LORD. This instruction is juxtaposed (contrasted) with another instruction, to hate false religion. In fact, rejoicing in the Lord can only happen if believers follow the true faith, true religion, and worship in a Church that truly follows the LORD.

We read in Philippians 3:1-3: . . 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. Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh . . .

The Bible contrasts two types of people in these verses. On the one hand are the true believers, the children of God - those whom we have already spoken about - but on the other hand are those who, in various ways, destroy the work of God. The Bible calls such evil people "dogs" and "mutilators of the flesh". Strong language! It's an indication, though, as to how angry God is when people refuse to serve and honour Him as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He is insulted when people seek happiness outside of a faithful Church of Jesus Christ. And when people do not rejoice in the LORD. Sadly, there are many in today's world that fit into this category, whether they realise it or not.

There is an urgent call this morning, therefore, for all of us to urgently assess our lives, to check whether we do indeed rejoice in the LORD, or whether there are obstacles blocking this rejoicing. In fact, we need to pray that God will give us ongoing faith, so that we can clearly see how wonderful life with Him is, how truly blessed we are; only then can we also truly rejoice in the LORD.

Dear friend and listener, the Gospel call is loud and clear this morning. This is only one way to happiness, which you'll enjoy today and forever: joy in the faith Christians have in their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. In faith, they know that they are secure in the eternal love of their God, and Father. In faith, they know that in all of life's experiences (no matter how difficult or stressful), they are surrounded by the love and care of the LORD. And so, with so much evidence of that love in their lives, Christians are called to rejoice in the LORD. Further, together with fellow believers, they are to share their joy in God's house, in His Church.

That's an important part of today's message, dear friend. God calls all of His children to worship Him in purity and truth in His Church. Also this morning, therefore, we extend to you God's call for you to worship Him - and we invite you to do that with us in the Free Reformed Church of Albany. Also there, His glorious Gospel of salvation is rejoiced in every Sunday, and His people there praise the Lord of Lords and God of Gods.

Obey the Gospel call to rejoice in the LORD, and to share that joy with fellow believers!

Last modified: November 23, 1999