PASTOR’S CORNER, Jeremy Harris, First Southern Baptist Church, Liberal

Do you ever wonder how the Bible could say things like “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” ~ Philippians 4:4?  We have all experienced times in life when rejoicing was far from our vocabulary. We have experiences and situations that make it extremely difficult to rejoice. However, I don’t think the Apostle Paul was just blowing smoke when he encouraged the church at Philippi to rejoice. I think he had discovered the secret to lasting joy.

I am going to spend the next four weeks sharing some thoughts about how you and I can experience joy that is stronger than our circumstances. If you’re still with me, let’s dive in!

In the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he makes a statement that gives us the key to his joy. Remember with me…Paul wrote his letter to Philippi from a Roman prison where he was being held because of proclaiming the good news about Jesus. He was in the midst of an extremely trying circumstance, but he wrote what is considered by most to be one of the most joy-filled books in the entire Bible. I want us to consider verse 21 together for the next few weeks and apply it to some of the things that tend to cause us to lose our joy.

“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” ~ Philippians 1:21

You see, I think that Paul was able to hold onto joy in his life because he viewed the world through the “lens” of Jesus Christ. Paul found his identity in Jesus. As long as he was alive, he could share Jesus. If he died, then he got to be with Jesus. It is hard for anything in this world to break us when our victory is assured! Paul understood that God had a plan and a purpose for him on this earth. As long as God saw fit to keep him here, Paul was going to share about Jesus. Purpose makes difficulty easier to bear and strengthens us when we are tempted to give up. Paul understood his purpose and his identity as a child of God and this understanding allowed him to experience joy even in the midst of a Roman jail, chained to a guard at all times.

In addition to understanding his identity and purpose, Paul also recognized that his greatest reward would not come this side of heaven. He knew that the greatest thing he would ever experience is to one day be in the presence of his Savior, Jesus Christ. So, death held no power over him. There was no terror associated with dying for Paul. In fact the very next thing Paul said was that he “longed to depart and be with Jesus.” He didn’t even use the word die, he said that one day he will depart to the next and greatest step in his journey.

What does this mean for all of us? I think the best way to end my article today is with two simple questions…

Who are you (identity)?

What happens when you die?

God Bless and see you next week