Philippians 4:4 (ESV) — 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Paul wanted to urge a group of believers to rejoice in Christ!
Though their beloved apostle, founder, pastor, and teacher was imprisoned — rejoice!
Though the mission and work is a constant conflict — rejoice!
Though knowing Christ must include his cross — rejoice!
Though the world is broken and, outside the gospel, beyond repair — rejoice!
IN THE LORD.
1 Rejoice when you are counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
Acts 5:40–42 (ESV) — 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
2 Rejoice when you feel alone in ministry.
1 Kings 19:18 (ESV) — 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
3 Rejoice in the work Christ is doing today.
Ezra 3:12–13 (ESV) — 12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, 13 so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.
4 Rejoice when a life is touched by Christ.
Acts 3:8 (ESV) — 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
5 Rejoice when you are transformed to become more like Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) — 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
6 Rejoice when a ministry endeavor is completed.
Nehemiah 12:31 (ESV) — 31 Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall and appointed two great choirs that gave thanks. One went to the south on the wall to the Dung Gate.
Nehemiah 12:43 (ESV) — 43 And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.
7 Rejoice when the Spirit sends you on a new ministry venture.
Acts 13:2 (ESV) — 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
8 Rejoice in the power of the word.
2 Peter 1:3–4 (ESV) — 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
Titus 1:2–3 (ESV) — 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior…
9 Rejoice in the fact of his coming return and kingdom.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 (ESV) — 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
10 Rejoice in the cross of Christ.
Romans 1:16–17 (ESV) — 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
11 Rejoice in knowing God.
Jeremiah 9:24 (ESV) — 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”
12 Rejoice that its possible to rejoice in the Lord, because it’s not possible anywhere else.
Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV) — 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water
