GODLY FAITH REJOICES!
Philippians 1:12-26
INTRODUCTION: When we know the promises of our God found in His Word we learn to trust in our Lord: Psalm 37:5. Some of the marks of living faith are always expecting the best, always seeing the best in every bad situation, making the best out of the worst situations and faith always rejoices. If you ever want to live a life pleasing to God you must live by faith: Hebrews 11:6; Philippians 1:12: Paul tells the Philippians that all of the terrible things that have happened to him were for the furtherance of the gospel: Philippians 1:13-26;
Philippians 3:1; Philippians 4:4; Philippians 1:26. We, by faith can chose to rejoice in the LORD! Our rejoicing should always be directed toward our Lord Jesus Christ and that is from our Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 1:16-17. When you cannot be happy because happiness depends upon our circumstances; we can chose to rejoice because rejoicing depends upon our faith and is the gift of our God to us.
I. A GODLY VISION FOR LIFE!
Philippians 1:12-14: how does Paul look at his circumstances? Our faith is not measured by what happens to us but by how we chose to respond to what happens to us. What was Paul’s response to what happened to him? Philippians 1:12; Philippians 1:13-14. Our rejoicing by faith will impress the unbelievers and encourage those who are believers. Godly vision gives us the ability to see our lives from God’s view point and to rejoice!
II. GODLY PRIORITIES FOR LIFE!
Philippians 1:15-18; John 15:18-21. Paul’s critics were other pastors. Let me ask you: “Is it your priority in life to have more people hear about Jesus Christ?” Paul’s priority in life was that Christ be magnified by his life or by his death. Does that match your priorities for your life? Luke 6:26. Faith that rejoices has a vision to live for.
III. GODLY FAITH HAS GOD’S POWER FOR LIFE!
In Philippians 1:18-20 the apostle Paul speaks of his source of strength that only God can give and that only God’s strength will allow us to rejoice in times of trouble. There are two sources of strength that the apostle Paul spoke of here in Philippians 1:18-20: Paul spoke here of the help of the Spirit of God and the help of the Christians praying for him. When we lose hope we lose the power to rejoice. But when the Holy Spirit and the prayers of God’s people are holding us up we have reason to hope and a reason to rejoice. Romans 15:13.
IV. GODLY FAITH HAS A PURPOSE TO LIVE FOR!
What was the apostle Paul’s reason for living? Philippians 1:21. If you still have a purpose to live for then you can chose to rejoice in the Lord! Philippians 3:12-14. Paul said by purpose is to glorify Jesus Christ! My purpose is heaven! My purpose is to become like Jesus Christ! If those goals become our goals we will keep pressing on in this life toward our goal! Paul said “For to me to live is Christ!” Can you say that today? If you can that is a reason to rejoice no matter what life may bring you. Faith rejoices!