1 Thess. 5:16 commands that we should "Rejoice Evermore." Being joyous is directly related to how we perceive the circumstances surrounding us. No matter what happens - good or bad - we must see everything as the will of God and continue to give Him thanks always. This is the secret of being joyous. Read the slides for more.

1. Rejoice Evermore
1 Thess 5:16
Motivational Class
29-Nov-2015
CHURCH OF CHRIST,
SANGOTEDO

2. Introduction
 1 Thess 5:16
 A command
 Just as binding on Christians as any other in the Bible
 Many Christians fall short in this command
 Apparent in daily living
 Many times, carries over into our worship
 Absent mindedness
 Lack of enthusiasm (Boredom) in singing/ listening to
preaching
 Why are many Christians not joyful
 Missing fruit of the (indwelling) Spirit? Gal 5:22?
 Impossible or unreasonable command? (1Jn 5:3)

3. Definition
 Joy
 Most common Greek word for Joy is ‘chara’
 Means joy, delight, gladness (Vines)
 Closely related to ‘charis’ (grace) & ‘charisma’ (gift)
 Usual to think of charis & charisma as that which
produces joy; and chara, the response to a gift
 ‘’the emotion excited by expectation or acquisition
of good’’ - a definition found in Zondervan Topical
Bible

4. Relationship between Joy and
Gift
 Understanding of relationship will help to
appreciate an important principle
 We experience joy in direct response to the value of
a gift received
 greater value of a gift, greater joy elicited
 To illustrate, imagine your reaction to
 the gift of N10
 Gift of N1million
 A new house!!!
 You can see the response or emotion of joy in each
case!

5. Applying this Principle….
 What has God given to us (Christians)
 May be easier to list the things God has not given!
 Every good thing in life comes from God (Jm 1:17)
 Eternal Life -most valuable gift. (Ro 6:23, 1Jn 5:13)
 Freedom from condemnation for sin, through Jesus’
blood.
 Fellowship with God (1Jn 1:3)
 Should this not make us joyful? (Act 8:38-39)
 Why are most Christians not joyful?

6. Why are Christians not joyful?
 We don’t appreciate the magnitude of our sin!
 Don’t appreciate what sin does
 Separates us from God (Is 59:1-2)
 Can condemn to spiritual death/hell (Ro 6:23; Re
21:8)
 W e don’t see sin from God’s view point
 One sin makes a person guilty of all (Jm 2:10-11)
 Sin has affected everyone (Rom 3:23)
 So terrible, God sent/forsook His only Begotten son (Mk
15:35)

7. Why are Christians are joyful?
 We don’t appreciate the magnitude of our Gift!
 Don’t appreciate what Jesus has done
 Reconciled us back to God (2Cor 5:18-19), also v17
 Why may we not appreciate what Jesus has done?
 Jn 15:11 (Jesus spoke); 1 Jn 1:4 (John wrote)
concerning things designed to give us fullness of
joy.
 Christians need to take the time to study,
contemplate & understand what Jesus taught &
what His apostles wrote!
 Too focused on earthly things
 Anxiety over the physical (Mt 6:25, 31, 34, 21) Pr
4:23

8. Why are Christians are joyful?
 Do not trust God enough to take His
commandments & promises seriously.
 Give Thanks always (Eph 5:20)
 Another impossible command?
 Why/When you don’t feel thankful
 You cannot be joyful
 What happens is important, how you take it is more
important!
 All things work together (Rom 8:28)