REJOICING IN THE LORD, THE CHRISTIAN GUARDRAIL Philippians 3:1, 8-9

 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? 

1. Personal Knowledge   JOHN 3:16

You can’t save me, I must know Christ for myself 

2.  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

3. 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…

4. 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

5. 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. 

6.    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

7. 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. 

8. An Affectionate Knowledge John 3:16

9.  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

1. REJOICING IN THE LORD ALL DAY LEAVES NO ROOM FOR NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

2. REJOICE WITH THE PURPOSE OF GLORIFYING THE LORD

3. REJOICE INTENTIONALLY TO KEEP ME  LIFTED IN THE SPIRIT

4. REJOICE WITH A THANKFUL, GRATEFUL ATTITUDE FOR THE GOOD AND THE BAD

5. TRUSTING JESUS IN ALL THINGS

THEY THAT WAIT ON THE LORD ISAISH 40:31

 WAITING ON THE LORD

Isaiah 40:31

31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

OBSERVATION OF THE VERSE

31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

• There are 8 verbs in the verse. It is an action-packed verse

• It Indicates two types of people; those who wait and those who don’t

• This indicates a mature believer

• Indicates an experienced individual

• Indicates a transformed individual

• Indicates a focused individual 

• Indicates a strong relationship

• Indicates faith

INTRODUCTION

From the time Israel entered the Promised Land, they disobeyed God’s Commands worshipping  Idol gods and eventually rejecting His rule for an Earthly king. The God we serve is tolerant long suffering and forgiving. He allowed Israel’s disobedience for 700 years before His planned punishment. Our disobedience does not change God’s plan of redemption

Malachi 3:6 The Lord said I change not,

The temple in Jerusalem was burned to the ground and most of the people were taken to Babylon for 70 years of captivity.  While God planned a punishment for Israel, He also gave them hope for restoration and return to the promised. Gos’s chastisement is always for our good.

THEY THAT WAIT ON THE LORD WILL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH AND MOUNT UP ON EAGLES  

In this lesson, I want to focus on the meaning of each verb.

THEY THAT WAIT

THE WORD WAIT IN HEBREW IS QAWAH WHICH MEANS WINDING OR TWISTING ORDERING ACTIVITIES AROUND GOD

When we put our trust in God we bind ourselves to the person, the power, the plan, the protection, and His divine will. We no longer operate alone but with God’s help. When we are wound up in the Lord our thinking and actions Are aligned with His will. It is not us that act, but the God in us.

WE HAVE TO LEARN THE BENEFIT OF A BOND WITH CHRIST JESUS 

RENEWED STRENGTH

THE WORD RENEW IN HEBREW IS THE CHALAPH,

WHICH MEANS SPRING UP OR GROW UP TAKING OFF THE OLD CLOTHING AND PUTTING ON NEW CLOTHING.

 

EXCHANGING OUR WEAKNESS FOR GOD’S POWER

In time through life experience, we grow up in the Lord, relying on

His strength.

GRACE IS SUFFICIENT, MY POWER IS MADE PERFECT 

IN WEAKNESS.    2 CORINTHIANS 12:9

 WHEN WE ARE WEAK, GOD IS STRONG 

MOUNT UP AS EAGLES

To soar like an eagle you must be In tune with the spirit of God, You must let go of the circumstances of life and embrace the divine hope You must let yourself go and embrace the agenda of Jesus. Strength, emotional, psychological, and physical are intertwined with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

Eagles fly high above their prey. In the Lord Jesus, we can rise above our daily circumstances and see clearly the plan of God. Eagles glide on the winds of the air without much effort. In the spirit of trusting and relying on Jesus, we can glide above our daily trials and tribulations

A COMPARISON BETWEEN EAGLES AND THE BELIEVER IN THE SPIRIT

Eagles fly above the storm. In the spirit, we live with no worry

Eagles have keen eyesight. In the Spirit, we know the truth which is the enlightenment of God

Eagles are fearless. God has not given us the spirit of fear.

Eagles sit motionless at rest. Meditation and prayer is renewal for believers.

Eagles are trained for discipline. The word teaches obedience.

.

Eagles live a solitary life. Our life is focused on Jesus

Eagles have one mate for life. Jesus is our bridegroom for life.

Eagles shed their feathers. We shed sin for righteousness.

Eagles sit high and look low. God we serve does the same

EAGLES ARE A SYMBOL OF STRENGTH, VISION, RENEWAL AND PROTECTION

THEY SHALL RUN AND NOT BE WEARY

The race is one of love, sacrifice, service, kindness, gentleness, righteousness, endurance, hope, and self-control. The race can only be run with Jesus Christ. If we run with the grace of Jesus, we run the victory He has won and we have no need to worry

There is a quote that says;

When you run alone it is called a race

When God runs with you it is called Grace

THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT

We walk in the fear of the Lord. When we walk in obedience and in the light He provides, we walk trusting Him. The walk in Jesus's love orders our steps. When we understand that we are in Him and He is in us, we have the strength not to faint

THE BLESSED HOPE OF REDEMPTION

While we live on earth, we have trials and Tribulations designed by God for our growth and development. There is no faith without Testing. 

James said to count it all joy when fall into divers temptations knowing this that trying of your faith worketh patience that you may be perfect lacking nothing 

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT EAGLES

• EAGLES CAN SOAR UP TO 40,000 FEET

• THEIR KEEN EYESIGHT LETS THEM SEE LIVE PREY

• THEY DON’T EAT ROADKILL

• BUZZARDS FLY HIGH BUT ONLY EAT DEAD ANIMALS

• BELIEVERS ARE THE PREY OF THE DEVIL

• THE DEVIL CAN ONLY CONSUME THE SPIRITUALLY DEAD

THOSE CHOSEN TO STAY DEAD BY THE LORD   EPHESIANS 1:4

• THE LORD JESUS IS OUR EAGLE IN HEAVEN

• HE BRINGS THE SPIRITUALLY DEAD ALIVE FOR HIS GLORY

SUMMARY

In Summary when you are wound up in Jesus you take on His strength, His victory, and our place in Heaven. Trusting Jesus allows us to run each day in the confidence of victory. We have no need to worry or desire to faint because Jesus is with us each step of the way.

They that are wound up in the Lord take on his character and His strength

And are able to glide through each day with hope and confidence