REJOICE EVERMORE!

1 Thess 5:16 Rejoice evermore. This is a command, just as binding upon Christians as any other found in the New Testament Scriptures. How do we keep from falling short in obedience to this command? Is it apparent in our daily lives? Does falling short show up in our worship? Unenthusiastic singing. Boredom in singing. Boredom in worship. Why? I. FIRST, WHAT IS JOY? A. In most cases translated from the koine Greek chara. 1. Meaning joy, delight, gladness (Vines) 2. Related closely to charis (grace) and charisma (gift). a. Charis and charisma produce joy; chara is the emotional response to a gift given. b. Defined the emotion excited by expectation or acquisition of good. Zondervan Topical Bible. B. The relationship between the joy and the gift. 1, The response or emotion of joy is in direct proportion to our valuation of the gift. C. What has God given to Christians? 1. John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 2. Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. D. What is the appropriate response? 1. Acts 8:36-39 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

2 II. WHAT HAMPERS JOY IS THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE MAGNITUDE OF SIN. A. Do we realize how repugnant sin is to God? 1. Isa 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 2. Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 3. Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. B. How extensive is the problem? 1. Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; III. THE MAGNITUDE OF THE GIFT. A. Do we realize the magnitude of what Jesus has done? 1. 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 2. John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. B. Jesus Christ removed the separation that we had earned by our sins. 1. 2 Cor 5:17-21 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. C. Jesus wants us to have joy. 1. John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 2. 1 John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

3 IV. THE MAGNITUDE OF THE RESPONSE. A. Gods word is clear on the subject. 1. Joel 2:23a Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: 2. Ps 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. 3. Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 4. Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 5. 1 Peter 1:3-9 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.