Sermon Recap: Rejoice Always (1 Thessalonians 5:16a)

Rejoice always? How is that even possible?

With so much sadness and suffering in the world, our communities, and our personal lives, how can we possibly obey this command?

It's obviously a command; it's obviously essential. After all, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "for this is the will of Christ Jesus for you."

So what does this kind of joy look like in the Christian life?

I. What does Paul mean by "the will of God in Christ Jesus"?
There are three things that "the will of God" can refer to in the Bible:

• God's will of purpose, or the things that he makes happen in the world;
• His will of provision, or that which he gives us to enable us to follow his commands;
• and His will of precept, which are the rules that we are to follow.

All three of these come into play here. It is God's sovereign purpose that we rejoice always. He gives us the ability to rejoice always, and he commands us to rejoice always.

This is not optional! This kind of heart attitude is what distinguishes true Christians from nonbelievers. It is essential to our life of faith.

II. What does this joy look like?
Joy requires that we delight in something. Some joys are more important; some are more at the core of who we are. These are the joys that last longer. Outward expressions of joy can vary widely, so that is not a good test of joy.

Christians are called to have a spiritual joy in spiritual things: the desire of God and the finding of joy when that desire is satisfied.

This joy comes from the Holy Spirit. It is the crucial gift of God and it gives us the ability to enjoy all of His other gifts to us.

Christians can have joy because we know that we are loved unconditionally and this love cannot be lost.

III. How can joy be commanded? You can't force it, right? Doesn't it just happen? And what about other feelings?
The way that we can obey this command sincerely and not try to fake joy is by deliberately thinking about things that will result in joy. This is an act of the will and can be done voluntarily.

In times when you aren't feeling particularly joyful, the memory of times of blessing is critical. We can direct our attention to things that will make us feel joy.

As for other feelings that are a legitimate part of the Christian life, such as sorrow over sin, they aren't competing with joy. Think of it as a hierarchy; the joy is deeper and more constant, with layers of other, temporary emotions on top.

Application Points:

• This is the test of a true Christian; false Christians find their joy in things that will not last.
• This is our calling every day, through the day. Are we pursuing it? Are we finding true joy in the Lord?

Leave me a comment and tell me how you seek joy in your life! Is this something you need to work on? How can you pursue this calling every day?