JOY VICTORIOUS
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Cups Of Joy And Sorrow
Philippians 4:4
"Rejoice in the Lord always, And again I say, Rejoice!"
a) That text is often quoted and in many cases it is much misunderstood. The text is sometimes used to make people feel guilty who are downhearted, sorrowful, grieving, depressed — as if they need that burden of guilt on top of their other unhappiness! This passage certainly does say we should rejoice always. However it does not say we should rejoice only. This verse does not forbid sorrow. If it did, then it would condemn Jesus, because he was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3).
2. Joy Victorious
a) There is both sorrow and joy in this world, and both cups together can be full to overflowing. However, if we are in Christ, the joy will be everlasting whilst the sorrow will be only temporary. So our cup of joy in Jesus Christ will one day break our cup of sorrows in this world. Just as the joy of Jesus overcame his sorrows and suffering (Acts 2:24-28), so will it overcome ours and "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18).
b) Therefore we endure trials, and we overcome (1 Peter 4:12-16, Romans 8:35-39). We conclude our lesson with these words of Jesus, which seem to sum up the lesson so well: "You will weep and lament... but your grief will be turned into joy" (John 16:20-22).
The End ...
1. Cups Of Joy And Sorrow Philippians 4:4
"Rejoice in the Lord always, And again I say, Rejoice!"
a) That text is often quoted and in many cases it is much misunderstood. The text is sometimes used to make people feel guilty who are downhearted, sorrowful, grieving, depressed — as if they need that burden of guilt on top of their other unhappiness! This passage certainly does say we should rejoice always. However it does not say we should rejoice only. This verse does not forbid sorrow. If it did, then it would condemn Jesus, because he was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3).
2. Joy Victorious
a) There is both sorrow and joy in this world, and both cups together can be full to overflowing. However, if we are in Christ, the joy will be everlasting whilst the sorrow will be only temporary. So our cup of joy in Jesus Christ will one day break our cup of sorrows in this world. Just as the joy of Jesus overcame his sorrows and suffering (Acts 2:24-28), so will it overcome ours and "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18).
b) Therefore we endure trials, and we overcome (1 Peter 4:12-16, Romans 8:35-39). We conclude our lesson with these words of Jesus, which seem to sum up the lesson so well: "You will weep and lament... but your grief will be turned into joy" (John 16:20-22).
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