Rejoicing Always

(To download an mp3 file of this message, click on the title above. To listen now, click on the play button of the audio player shown.)


This is a sermon that was given on Thanksgiving Communion Sunday and it is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16, "Rejoice Evermore." It emphasizes the importance of being thankful and "doing joy" even when circumstances are less than favorable.

Written Excerpts:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV) ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Introduction:

This week is our annual Thanksgiving Day holiday in this nation.

Humor: Thanksgiving Treats As our family was enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, my four-year-old granddaughter stopped chomping on her drumstick long enough to look at her mother, smile, and say, "I really like turkey on the cob. — Mary Wanda Little, McConnelsville, Ohio, Christian Reader. (In Today’s Best Illustrations.)

You might think that a sermon which relates to Thanksgiving would probably focus on verse 18 in this chapter, “in everything give thanks…” But for me, it is more intriguing that Paul writes just two verses earlier that people should “rejoice evermore,” or “rejoice always.”

v. 16 and v. 18 are both in the form of commands. And, so is the admonition in v. 17.

I’m convinced that the two commands, “rejoice always” and “in everything give thanks” are related. But I’m also convinced that the command in v. 17, “pray without ceasing” is also related to the other two commands. It seems to me that it would be impossible to always rejoice if I haven’t learned how to give thanks IN everything. And, it also seems impossible to do either one without praying always.

Before we go any further, I want to comment on the command, “pray without ceasing.”

Many writers and speakers have argued that the meaning is for Christians to be always in a spirit of prayer throughout every day. While, I certainly agree that it is profitable for us to be in the spirit of prayer as much as possible, I would have to say that we often find ourselves in circumstances that require such high concentration that we cannot maintain an attitude or spirit of prayer, at least not consciously. I like the explanation that our college president (Dr. Steve Herron) gave when I was in Bible College. He said, it simply means, “Do not give up (quit) the practice of prayer.”

For a brief time this morning, I would like to draw your attention to three different thoughts regarding this unusual verse.

I.    It is a command.

The grammatical structure of the word is an imperative verb. “You rejoice.”

“Be glad,” “Be joyful,” “Do joy.”

“Adjust your attitude!” Not a mockery. It implies, “Center your mind on something else besides your problems, your disappointments, etc. so your heart can rejoice.”

The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write this command for a reason. Joy should be an identifiable trait of a true believer in Jesus.

(Leon Morris, Tyndale Commentaries) Indeed, few things about the New Testament church are more remarkable than this continual stress on joy.

(D. Edmond Hiebart) “The imperative statement is an appeal to their will; it reminds them that they have a part in maintaining this experience of joy. It is a call to them not to allow adverse circumstances to rob them of their joy.”

Paul reminds all of us to do what is right whether we feel like it or not, and, many times, doing what is right will produce better attitudes and feelings. 

II.  The command does not depend on current circumstances.

(D. Edmond Hiebart) “The command to rejoice always is remarkable in view of the sufferings of the readers already mentioned. (see 1:6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit;  and

3:2-4 [we] sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, ³that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. ⁴For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.)

(Hiebart, cont'd) “The remarkable part of the command lies in the emphatic “always.” It stresses the duty to rejoice at all times not just when circumstances are pleasant.”

“Paul knew that suffering for the Lord was not incompatible with rejoicing in the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 6:4-10 (NKJV) ⁴  But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, ⁵  in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; ⁶  by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, ⁷  by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, ⁸  by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; ⁹  as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; ¹⁰  as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Acts 5:41 (NKJV) ⁴¹ So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

So what is the source of joy in the midst of suffering? What reasons do we have to rejoice?

Acts 5:41 above, “We’re worthy to suffer for Jesus.” A deep satisfaction and joy that I am able to identify with the sufferings of Christ.

“Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

“Rejoice, for great is your reward in heaven.”

“Rejoice with me for I have found my sheep which was lost.”

“… I will see you again and your heart shall rejoice.”

“[Love] rejoices in the truth.”

Php. 3:3 “we… rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

III. The command does not stand alone.

Something I read by one author convinces me that the command does not stand alone. In other words, it is definitely related to our responses to other important principles of faith.

(Leon Morris, Tyndale Commentaries) The various derivatives of [the word] joy occur with startling frequency throughout the New Testament. The word for ‘grace’, for example, is from this root, as are one of the words for ‘to forgive’, one for ‘to give thanks’, and another for ‘gifts of the Spirit’. New Testament Christianity is permeated with the spirit of holy joy.

It is easy to see how that joy and grace could be inter-dependent. The more we recognize and appreciate God’s grace for us, the more joy we’ll have. And, the more grace we show for others, the more joy it will produce. It’s hard to be sad and despondent or “blue” when we are appropriately aware of grace from God and showing grace to others.

It is also interesting to learn that the word for joy and one of the words in the NT used for forgiveness are also related. Nothing will rob a person of real joy any quicker than holding a grudge. Unforgiveness is the source of bitterness and bitterness produces nothing but sadness, and all kinds of other negative attitudes and effects.

These examples point out an important truth to us… Joy is rarely, if ever, isolated from other crucial attitudes and behaviors in the Christian life. In order to experience true joy, we must allow God to teach us obedience in all these other areas that He cares about.

Conclusion:

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday this week, let us be reminded of the command from Christ’s chief apostle, “be glad always.”

As we celebrate the communion of our Lord’s suffering and death, let us rejoice and be glad in the wonderful salvation He has provided through no merit of our own.

Let us sing the closing song listed in your bulletins,

Lead Me to Calvary