Rejoicing Always (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
This sermon explores the profound biblical command for believers to 'rejoice always,' delving into what this unique joy means and why it remains constant. It unpacks how Christian joy is a supernatural attitude, distinct from fleeting worldly happiness, rooted deeply in God's character and redemptive work.
Christians are commanded to rejoice always, regardless of circumstances, because their joy is a supernatural fruit of the Spirit, rooted in God's character and work. This deep-down confidence in God's control should transcend any earthly sorrow.
Overview
This sermon focuses on the spiritual attitude of joy, drawn from the concise command in 1 Thessalonians 5:16: “Rejoice always.” The preacher emphasizes that this is not an isolated command, but is echoed throughout Scripture, notably in the book of Philippians, reinforcing that no event or circumstance should diminish a Christian's joy.
The sermon explains that this is not the fleeting, pleasure-based joy of the world, which is often short-lived and deceptive. Instead, Christian joy is supernatural, identified as a fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22. It is described as "the experience of well-being that springs from the deep-down confidence that God is in perfect control of everything, for my good and His glory."
The preacher outlines ten profound reasons why believers can and should maintain this constant joy. These reasons begin with an act of proper response to the unchanging character of God, appreciation for the finished work of Christ, and confidence in the ongoing sanctifying work of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who dispenses righteousness, peace, and joy.
Further reasons include appreciation for continually given spiritual blessings, divine providence orchestrating all for good, the promise of future glory, answered prayer, the truth found in Scripture, the blessing of Christian fellowship, and the privilege of gospel witnessing. The sermon concludes by identifying hindrances to joy, such as false salvation, temptation, pride, ingratitude, prayerlessness, being controlled by feelings, and ultimately, ignorance of God's truth.
Key points
- Christians are commanded to "rejoice always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16), a frequent command in Scripture.
- This joy is to be maintained even in the face of suffering, persecution, and adversity, as demonstrated by Jesus and the apostles.
- Worldly joy is temporary and derived from earthly pleasures, often turning to grief or having implications of judgment.
- Christian joy is supernatural, a fruit of the Holy Spirit, rooted in the deep confidence that God is in perfect control for believers' good and His glory.
- Reasons for this joy include God's unchanging character, the finished work of Christ, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.
- Additional reasons for constant joy are spiritual blessings, divine providence, future glory, answered prayer, the Scriptures, Christian fellowship, and gospel witnessing.
- A lack of joy in a Christian's life can stem from issues like false salvation, temptation, false expectations, pride, ingratitude, prayerlessness, or ignorance of God's truth.
In John MacArthur's words
“There is no event and there are no circumstances in life that should diminish the Christian’s joy.”
“As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.”
“It is the experience of well-being that springs from the deep-down confidence that God is in perfect control of everything, for my good and His glory.”
Outline
- I. The Command to Rejoice Always (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
- A. Not an isolated command; repeated throughout Scripture
- 1. Examples from Philippians, 1 Peter 4:13, John 13-17, Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 6:22-23
- B. Unaffected by adversity or suffering (James 1:2)
- C. The balance of sorrow and joy (Romans 12:15, 2 Corinthians 6:10)
- D. Early church greeting was "rejoice"
- E. Worldly joy versus supernatural joy
- 1. Worldly joy: derived from earthly pleasures, short-lived, potentially leading to grief or judgment
- 2. Supernatural joy: a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), from the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17)
- F. Definition of Christian joy: deep-down confidence in God's perfect control for good and glory
- II. Reasons to Obey the Command to Rejoice
- A. An act of proper response to the character of God
- B. An act of appreciation for the work of Christ
- C. An act of confidence in the work of the Holy Spirit
- D. An act of reasonable response to spiritual blessings continually given
- E. An act of proper response to divine providence
- F. An act of proper response to the promise of future glory
- G. An act of appreciation for answered prayer (John 16:24)
- H. An act of appreciation for the Scriptures (Psalm 19:8)
- I. An act of appreciation for Christian fellowship (1 Thessalonians 3:9)
- J. An act of appreciation for the privilege of witnessing
- III. Hindrances to Joy (and Solutions)
- A. Not being saved (Matthew 13)
- B. Temptation / Carrying too much load
- C. False expectations (Pride)
- D. Ingratitude
- E. Prayerlessness (Philippians 4)
- F. Living by feelings / Ignorance of truth
Scripture references
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16
- Philippians 2
- Philippians 3:1
- Philippians 4:4
- 1 Peter 4:13
- John 13
- John 17
- Matthew 5:10
- Luke 6:22-23
- James 1:2
- Romans 12:15
- 2 Corinthians 6:10
- Acts 15:23
- Ecclesiastes 2:10
- Ecclesiastes 11:9
- Job 20:5
- Ecclesiastes 7:6
- Isaiah 16:10
- Galatians 5:22
- Romans 14:17
- John 16:24
- Psalm 19:8
- 1 Thessalonians 3:9
- Matthew 13
- Philippians 4
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?
6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
10 And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Insights
Joy is not the absence of sorrow, but a deeper confidence within it.
True joy springs from trusting God's control in every circumstance.
Your deepest joy rests on God's unchanging character.
Questions & answers
What is the main command for Christians discussed in this sermon?
The sermon focuses on the command to "Rejoice always," found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16. This means maintaining joy regardless of life's events or circumstances.
How does Christian joy differ from worldly joy?
Worldly joy is temporary, derived from earthly pleasures and the fulfillment of desires, often leading to grief. Christian joy is supernatural, a fruit of the Holy Spirit, providing deep confidence in God's control.
What definition of joy does the preacher provide?
Joy is defined as "the experience of well-being that springs from the deep-down confidence that God is in perfect control of everything, for my good and His glory."
Can Christians experience sorrow and still rejoice?
Yes, the sermon explains that outward human sympathy and sorrow can exist, but they should not touch the deep, abiding joy that comes from God. Paul described this balance as "as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing."
What are some major reasons for Christians to rejoice always?
Reasons include God's unchanging character, the finished work of Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit, abundant spiritual blessings, divine providence, the promise of future glory, answered prayer, the Scriptures, Christian fellowship, and the privilege of witnessing.
What are common hindrances to joy in a Christian's life?
Hindrances can include false salvation, strong temptation, false expectations, pride, ingratitude, prayerlessness, being led by feelings, and, fundamentally, ignorance of God's truth and sound doctrine.
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