THEME: RULES FOR LIVING HAPPILY
TOPIC: REJOICE AND WEEP WITH OTHERS (ROM. 12:15)
TEACHER: BRO. EDET DANIEL
INTRODUCTION:
One major attitude that enhances happy living is ability to identify with fellow humans, both in times of laughing and sweeping. It therefore becomes pertinent that Christians maintain a very strong bond of unity within the brotherhood in times of joy and sorrow. When a brother or sister rejoices or mourns, the entire brethren should rejoice and mourn with them. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves” (Rom. 15: 1 KJV).
It will further strengthen and encourage brethren who fall victim of disasters to know that the saints are there for their comfort (1 Cor. 12: 26). This will make them to be happy for such show of solidarity, and will feel a sense of belonging. This reflects the very nature of God that he entrusted in man during creation, that man should be socially and emotionally attached to each other at all times. “And the Lord God said, it is not good that man should be alone, I will make him an help meet for him” (Gen. 2:18 KJV).
What it means to:
1. Rejoice: (a verb found 155 times in the Bible). It means to express spontaneous emotion or extreme happiness about somebody or some deed of success (1 Sam. 2:1; Prov. 29:2; 1 Thess. 5:16).
2. Weep: Any loud expression of grief, especially during disasters or mourning for the dead etc. (Matt. 2:18; Mk. 5: 38-39). Instances Jesus wept (John 11:35; Lk. 19:41).
WHY SHOULD WE REJOICE AND WEEP WITH OTHERS?
* Because Christ our Saviour showed the greatest example (Isa. 53:12; Rom. 5:6-8).
* Because we must love our brothers and sisters (I John 4:11,20-21)
* Because our personal satisfaction and happiness depend on it (I Cor. 12:26)
* Because our soul salvation depends on it (Matt. 25:45-45b)
WAYS WE CAN REJOICE OR WEEP WITH OTHERS:
* By visiting the bereaved, sick, poor, prisoners, widows and orphans (Matt. 25:35-36; Jas. 1:27).
* By attending marriages, funerals and other celebrations involving our brethren, (and present money and other gift items to them).
* By giving our time, money personal assistant and other valuables to those in need of them.
* Remember it is better to go to the house of mourning than that of feasting (Eccl. 7:2).
THINGS TO AVOID WHILE REJOICING AND WEEPING WITH OTHERS:
* Don’t take undue advantage of those in distress (I Kings 22:16-24; Mk. 12:40)
* Don’t covet the inheritance of widows, orphans or the poor (Prov. 22:28).
* Don’t dupe nor swindle the brethren because of familiarity.
* Don’t oppress the unsuspecting victim you pretend to help.
SOME BIBLICAL EXAMPLES:
i. Widows went out to weep and mourn Dorcas (Acts 9:39b).
ii. The daughters of Israel went yearly to lament with Jephthah’s daughter (Judges 11:40).
iii. Women played, danced and sang when David slaughtered Goliath (1 Sam. 18:6-7).
iv. David made a great lamentation over Saul and Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:19-27).
v. David brought Jonathan’s only son, Mephibosheth, to live with Him (1 Sam.9:6-8)
JOB, HIS WIFE, AND THREE FRIENDS:
i) Job’s wife said, “Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God and die” (Job 2:9).
ii) When Job’s three friends heard, they came to mourn and comfort him. They sat down with him 7days upon the ground, spoke no word to him, because His grief was very great (Job 2:11-13).
iii) Eliphaz the Temanite said that Job reaped what he sowed (Job 4:3-8).
iv) Bildad the Shuhite: “If thou were pure and upright…” (Job 8:6).
v) Zophar the Naamathite said that God had forgotten some of Jobs iniquity, but God said he was perfect and upright (Job 11:4-8; Job 1:1).
WE ARE FORBIDDEN TO REJOICE IN INIQUITY (1 COR. 13:6)
* “If I rejoice at the destruction of him that hated me…” (Job 31:29).
* “Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me…” (Psa. 35:19).
* “Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker…” (Prov. 17:5). “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth…” (Prov. 24: 17).
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT REJOICING OR WEEPING WITH OTHERS:
* The door of mercy may be shut against us during our adversity.
* He who waters shall also be watered; but he who withholds bread shall also starve (Prov. 11: 25; Matt. 10:42).
* Condemnation to everlasting punishment prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41-46).
REWARD FOR REJOICING AND WEEPING WITH OTHERS:
* We shall obtain mercy and favour both now and hereafter. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7).
* God Himself will abundantly bless our Land, food and water; and we will never lack any good thing.
* He shall send us a helper from any direction on our day of distress, thereby turning our weeping into an enduring happiness.
* We shall enjoy eternal bliss and life in Heaven with our Maker and Saviour.
CONCLUSION:
Rejoice and mourn with others because that is the way of life. The more we endeavour to identify with our brethren in their moments of joy and grief, the happier we shall be.