CHRISTIAN GUARDRAIL, REJOICING IN THE LORD
Philippians 3:1,8-9
Finally, my brothers, 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.
Philippians 3:4-10
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
Verse 1. Rejoice in the Lord for it is safe
The Greek word for safe is asphales which means firm, immovable. Cannot be thrown down, make secure against harm
In other words, Rejoicing in the Lord is a guardrail.
Rejoicing in the Lord makes me unmoveable, firm.
I can’t lose when I rejoice in the Lord
When I think of a guardrail, I think of the railing on the side of a bridge that is there to keep you from driving off into the water below.
Rejoicing in the Lord is a guardrail that keeps you from falling into the rabbit hole of the devil. If I get angry with you, I am in the rabbit’ hole of the devil. If I am envious, jealous, or proud, I am in the rabbit hole
Rejoicing in the Lord is the guardrail that keeps me out of the
Rabbit. Hole, If I am thankful and grateful, my mind is intertwined
With the Lord. I don\’t allow myself to get caught up in everyday drama.
Pride was the original sin in God’s creation. Satan, then called Lucifer, an arch angel decided he could be like or replace God
(Ezekiel 28:12 Isaish 14-12-15) God allowed Satan, the father of
Lies to influence the world to a state of darkness,, so He could
Bring His chosen to light.
The apostle Paul is a perfect example of a person who grew up
In darkness, but was brought to the light of Jesus Christ. Paul was born to be proud.
Starting in verse 5, Paul describes his old prideful self as rubbish,
In comparison with the knowledge of Christ
Circumcised on the eighth day(Jewish law), the tribe of Benjamin,
Hebrew of Hebrews (a true Jew with no Gentiles in his heritage), and a Pharisee separated from the common people to teach the law. You could conclude that Paul was born with a gold spoon in His mouth. As for zeal to persecute the Church, there was none like Paul. He had position, power, and authority,
COMPARISON
OLD SELF NEW SELF IN CHRIST
Dogs of the world Sons of God
Confidence in flesh Confidence in Christ
Workers of evil Workers of good
Rejoice in self Rejoice in the Lord
Knowledge of the world Knowledge of Christ
Eternal Hell Eternal life
The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the Lord
In the flesh, we are nothing more than a dirty rag.
THE CHRISTIAN GUARDRAIL
How can we get out and stay out of our sad situation? We need to
Rejoice in the Lord with a knowledge of Christ.
What is this knowledge of Christ?
- Personal Knowledge JOHN 3:16
You can’t save me, I must know Christ for myself
- Intelligent Knowledge 2 TIMONTY 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
There are some Bible deceivers in the world. They will take a verse out of its context and make it their Gospel all the while denying the truth
- Know Him as the word reveals Romans 16:25
25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings…
- Must know his attributes Galation 5:22
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24
- His works 1 Corinthians 12:6-11
There are different kinds of working, but the same God works
all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation
of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is
given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another
the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to
another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing
by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to
another prophecy, to another distinguishing between
spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,
and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All
these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he
gives them to each one, just as he determines.
- His shame Hebrews 12:2-3
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
NIV
- His glory
John 15:8
8 This is to my Father\’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 17:4-5
4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
- An Affectionate Knowledge John 3:16
- Satisfying Knowledge
Matthew 28:18-20
\”All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.\”
An Exciting Knowledge
1 John 5:20
20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true — even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Elevating Knowledge
2 Corinthians 11:7-8
7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?
BOAST IN THE LORD
Knowledge of Christ gives us reasons to boast as citizens of heaven. We gladly boast in the following:
JESUS AS A FRIEND
JESUS AS MY SAVIOR
JESUS AS MY INTERCESSOR
JESUS AS MY SOURCE OF HOPE
JESUS AS MY SOURCE OF PEACE
JESUS AS MY SOURCE OF JOY
JESUS AS MY SOURCE OF WISDOM
JESUS AS MY PROTECTOR
JESUS AS MY PROVIDER
JESUS AS MY COUNSELOR
JESUS AS SUPREME LOVE
Compared to my Knowledge of Christ, my worldly accompaniments and possessions are just garbage
MAKING DAILY REJOICING IN THE LORD MY GUARDRAIL
- REJOICING IN THE LORD ALL DAY LEAVE NO ROOM FOR NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
- REJOICE WITH THE PURPOSE OF GLORIFYING THE LORD
- REJOICE INTENTIONALLY TO KEEP ME LIFTED IN THE SPIRIT
- REJOICE WITH A THANKFUL, GRATEFUL ATTITUDE FOR THE GOOD AND THE BAD
- TRUSTING JESUS IN ALL THINGS
