Rejoice!

Rejoice!

October is finally here, it is the season of the harvest!  It is quite the time of rejoicing.
However, for us, every season and every day within it can be a time of great rejoicing!
Paul writes:
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The peace of God.  God has made it so easy to obtain, but it is so difficult for us to do…  As we cast all of our cares, worries, and anxieties on Him through prayer and petition with an attitude of thanksgiving, God’s peace manifests despite our understanding.  When we have God’s peace, we truly can rejoice!
Paul also wrote:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
So in regard to God’s will, even if we don’t know the specifics for a given circumstance, we do know that in all circumstances, we are to rejoice, pray, and give thanks.
Rejoice, the Greek word chairō means literally to rejoice exceedingly, to be glad.  It was often used as a salutation or greeting.  As we place our full trust in God and remain obedient to His word, no matter what comes our way, we can rejoice exceedingly and be glad without the need to worry or stress.  We can possess His perfect peace.
Tonight, we’re going to take a short journey together through the book of Matthew, through his account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, at the times where we encounter this word; chairō.
Together, we’ll find that it is truly a choice to rejoice!
When the Magi found Jesus following His birth
Matthew 2:10
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
When we are mistreated because of Jesus
Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
When someone repents and turns to Jesus
Matthew 18:12-14
What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
When Judas betrayed Jesus
Matthew 26:47-50
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”When the soldiers mocked Jesus

Matthew 27:27-31

Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

When Jesus first appeared after His resurrection
Matthew 28:9
Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
And I must include this final time that chairō is used in scripture;
at the great wedding feast at the joining of Christ to the Church, His bride!
Revelation 19:6-8
Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
“Hallelujah!
    For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
    and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
    was given her to wear.”
Tonight, let’s fulfill the will of God and chairō together!  Let’s rejoice in the Lord, no matter our circumstances, because He is the one, true, living God whose love and faithfulness never ends and who reigns sovereign forever more!