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Fruit of the Spirit #5 "No Choice but to Rejoice!" Philippians 4

by The Rev. Clancy Nixon

February 18, 2007

Church of the Holy Spirit

Ashburn, Virginia

www.HolySpiritAnglican.org

Should you mention the name "Jonathan Edwards" to someone who does not

follow Christ, if he knows Edwards at all, the image evoked is usually of a sour, dour

Puritan. After all, he's that American colonial who is chiefly known for preaching the

sermon titled "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," telling his listeners that, like all

sinners, they were suspended over hell by a slender thread, justifiable objects of God's

righteous wrath. Just look at this portrait of Edwards by Joseph Badger Edwards looks

so severe that you might be tempted to imagine that he "never enjoyed a summer day or a

chocolate bar." (Douglas Sweeney, Christianity Today)

The truth is that Jonathan Edwards enjoyed both summer days and chocolate far

more than most people. We know that because he wrote about it. What he enjoyed most

was being in relationship with Christ. Edwards insisted that believers could expect joy

from God. He believed that following Christ brings a delightful harmony to all our

relationships. Christ brings harmony to family; to the workplace; to society. He said that

our faith "begets love and peace, good will one towards one another, brotherly kindness,

and care for each other's welfare." Edwards says the Holy Spirit "sweetens" the

fellowship of those who believe, and makes people "delight in each other."

If the words "love, peace and sweet fellowship" sound saccharine and vaguely

milquetoast to some of you manly men out there - the kind of thing a man wearing a wig

might say - consider the alternative. What is it like for you when people do the opposite

to you? When people are unkind to you, when they are in your face angry, when they

couldn't give a rip about your welfare? No one enjoys being treated that way? There is no

delight in that, no delight in each other in that world. We can take the fruit of the spirit

for granted, and sometimes we don't appreciate them until we notice their absence.

Edwards devoted his life to helping others to experience the joy he experienced

with God. He liked to say that "true religion" is first and foremost an affair of the heart.

For Edwards, the most important thing God does in regeneration is transforming our

affections, causing us to take delight in pursuing God's ways. He believed that your

soul--when its affections are rightly ordered by God's Word and Spirit--finds personal

fulfillment and joy in a biblical love of God and neighbor. (Sweeney)

In this sermon series on the Fruit of the Spirit, we're now looking at the fruit of

joy. Remember that the reason we are looking at the Fruit of the Spirit is because we are

in a season to focus on our relationships with each other, and the fruit speak of how we

love one another. When we exhibit the fruit, we will look like Christ. Last time, we

looked at Jesus' counsel to the seventy mission workers to rejoice that their names are

written in heaven, in the Lamb's book of life. God gives us many reasons to rejoice, but

no reason is greater than our own salvation. When you and I are saved, nothing should

steal the joy of our salvation. Our salvation is the ground of our joy. If you're not saved,

you're missing the greatest joy of all. I'll be glad to pray with you at any time you are

ready to give your life to Christ. No matter how bad our lives may get; no matter if we

lose our jobs or our homes; no matter if we lose our husband or wife; even if we are

persecuted: if we are saved and born again, and our focus is on Christ, and not on our

present circumstances, then you and I can experience serious joy. Amen?

The apostle Paul knew about joy in the midst of trouble. He was in jail, facing

possible execution, at the time he wrote this letter to the church he had planted in

Philippi. Not only was Paul suffering for the gospel, but the letter makes it clear that the

whole Philippian church was also being persecuted. Philippi was hard soil for the gospel,

since it was a Roman colony and steeped in Emperor worship. Paul had come to Philippi

in the first place because he had received a vision from God of a man from Macedonia

begging him to help them. In Acts chapter 16, we learn that Paul and Silas were severely

flogged and thrown in jail for preaching the gospel on their first trip to Philippi.

Remember the story? Paul and Silas didn't complain about their chains or their wounds;

instead, they joyously sang hymns of praise to God. Their joy just bubbled up in the

midst of their suffering. When a miraculous earthquake loosed their bonds, the

Philippian jailer was about to kill himself, for he knew the penalty of letting prisoners go.

The jailer fell to his knees and asked, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul answered,

"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. Friends, that's all it takes. In

Philippians 4:11, Paul tells us that he had learned the secret in being content in any

circumstances in jail or freedom, in want or in plenty, in sickness or in health. Paul

exhorts this persecuted church to rejoice seven times in this letter. We have no choice but

to rejoice! When you and I express that same kind of joy Paul had, we will win many

more souls for Christ.

Let's look at the text. Turn to page 1163 in your blue pew Bibles, chapter 4, verse

4. Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice." Turn to somebody

now, and tell them this word from the Lord: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it

again, rejoice." Paul is saying, we are all to rejoice, and then show gentleness to all.

Why? Two reasons. First, they were being persecuted, and it's easy to sulk and let self-

pity, anger and resentment boil up in you when you are persecuted. Gentleness and joy

are the antidote for that. Second, and more importantly, look at Verse 5: "The Lord is

near." Peterson's Message paraphrase says, "Celebrate the Lord all day, every day. I

mean, revel in him!" Rejoicing is something we are commanded to do, because it's how

we are to respond, not to our circumstances, but to him, because God is near. In John

15:11, on the night before he died, Jesus tells his apostles this: "Abide in me...I have told

you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." Our joy

comes from God. Joy originates not in our circumstances; not even in our attitude,

though that is closer to the truth; but our joy comes from abiding in Jesus. God is closer

than hands; more intimate than breathing. When we live into that reality, the reality that

the Lord is near, we can experience real joy, even when we are persecuted, even when we

suffer.

We do that individually, and we do that corporately. First, we'll do it individually.

I'd like to ask you to take a moment now, close your eyes, relax your shoulders, and tell

yourself silently, over and over again, "The Lord is near. I will rejoice in you, Jesus."

"The Lord is near. I will rejoice in you, Jesus." "The Lord is near. I will rejoice in you,

Jesus." Now I'd like to ask you to take one thing you are anxious about, and pray to God

silently about it. Go ahead and offer that situation, that person, up to the Lord right now,

as we sit in silence. [silence]

Do you feel more peace, more joy, than you did a minute ago? ... Look at verses

6 and 7. Read it aloud with me. "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 minds in Christ

Jesus." Do you want the peace of God, and freedom from anxieties? Then pray to God

with thanksgiving. Don't worry about your troubles; let go and let God handle them.

You and I can't change anybody else; who can? "God can." We can't fix the world; who

can? [hand to ear] "God can." Joy comes when we give our worries and anxieties to the

only One who has the power to change things and that is God. [hand to ear] Who can?

"God can." When we give it to God, we don't have to carry it.

Notice that in chapter 4 verse 2, Paul first addresses individuals two women,

Euodia and Syntyche, and one unidentified "yokefellow." Paul exhorts them to agree, to

be in unity. Then in verse 4, Paul's language shifts to addressing the whole church when

he tells them (and us) to rejoice always. We are to rejoice together, and we are to rejoice

because we are together. In Philippians 1:25 and 26, Paul tells the church at Philippi that

he wants to remain with them so that their joy will overflow on account of him. Paul

knew that God was using him to grow this church spiritually. In chapter 4 verse 1, Paul

says that the brothers, whom he loves and longs for, are his "joy and crown!"

Brothers and sisters, there is a sweetness and joy in the fellowship of believers

that you don't want to miss. Paul knew that sweetness and joy; Jonathan Edwards knew

it; and I can honestly say that I know it. Do you know that joy? The truth is that God

gave us one another to enjoy! Paul wrote to Timothy in his second letter, at 1:4, that he

longed to see him, so that he might be filled with joy. Timothy was Paul's son in the faith!

How about you? Do you know that kind of joy? Do you have such a close spiritual friend

that you long to see them? If you do, you know what I mean. There is a holy anticipation

in seeing brothers and sisters in the Lord. It's so great to see Jim and Pam Rogers back

with us today! God is answering our prayers for them. They finally have a contract to sell

their house in Philadelphia, and they are looking for a home this week so they can return

to Loudoun. I can truly say that I have longed to see them back with us, because we are

friends. We've walked together through late nights on Alpha; through the joy of seeing

people come to Christ in their home group; we've laughed and shared our hearts with

each other. Friends, there is joy in friendships like that! That is what God wants for us, he

wants to bring us joy, and he does it when we are friends to one another.

Do you know the joy of close friends in the church? Think about this.... If you

can't honestly say that you enjoy spending time with believers, what do you think is

causing you to lack joy in fellow believers? If you don't enjoy the body, and you don't

know why, ask God to reveal it to you. Ask God to transform your affections so you

delight in His people. If you do know that joy, then I know this about you: you have

walked alongside other believers outside of Sunday morning. Are you looking for a close

friend or two? The best way I know how to make friends is to meet with them regularly.

The best way I know how to meet with others regularly is in a home group.

Home groups are absolutely integral to our mission as a church. It's the #1 way

we love one another. My vision is for everyone at CHS to be in a home group. Most of

you heard Jorge Lugo's testimony about his home group's support in his time of need

with baby Benjamin's heart problems. We need each other. You may not feel a need to be

in a home group right now, but hear your pastor's heart: there are others in this church

who need you in their lives right now. There are people here today who feel like outsiders

in the body of Christ. Step out and draw them in. Joy will come when you, like Paul,

allow God to use you to help a brother or sister grow in Christ. I'll go as far as to say, if

you are not in some kind of small group of believers, you are not receiving God's best for

you at this time of your life.

I want to open the mike right now to ask for brief testimonies of how God brought

joy into your life through a small group of believers....

We currently have three home groups listed in your bulletin, and they are all

welcoming groups, worth checking out. I believe so strongly in home groups, I believe

the Lord would have us organize a new group right now. If you are not in a home group

now, and you feel a tug from the Lord to be in a new group, write your name and desire

down on your response card during the offertory, and we'll start a new one. I'll lead it if

necessary.

If you need prayer for salvation; or prayer for transformation of your affections so

that you truly enjoy the fellowship of believers; then prayer ministry is available on the

side aisle now and during communion.