Freedom To Rejoice in the Lord
Introduction: Did you know as CHRISTians there are “REASONS to REJOICE” in the Lord? Paul writes in a prison, while chained to a guard, these words:
“4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Phil 4:4)
But someone could argue, what about all the BAD things that are happening? Why would a GOOD God allow BAD things to happen to His people? Have you ever been asked this question? This writer has been drilled on this numerous times. In fact, the minor prophet, Habakkuk was asking the same question. Why would the Lord allow a heathen – ungodly – nation like the Babylonians conquer Judah? We will come back to that in a moment.
1. REJOICE because your name is written in the LAMBS BOOK of LIFE!
“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:17- 20)
2. REJOICE because the devil and his demons are subject to JESUS!
“17 ……Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:17-19)
Paul writes,
“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” (Rom 16:20)
“8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)
James writes,
“7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (Jas 4:7)
“8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (1Pet 5:8)
3. REJOICE when things are BAD, because as Habakkuk discovered, the Lord is the God of our SALVATION!
“17Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” (Hab 3:17-19)
4. REJOICE because Jesus gives us life and gives it more ABUNDANTLY!
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
The word “abundantly” is περισσός, (per-is-sos’), which means more, greater, excessive, abundant, exceedingly, vehemently; noun: preeminence, advantage.