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Rejoice Always

E.R. Hall, Jr.
10/17/21 - Sunday

1 Thessalonians 5:16 - "Rejoice always."

Christians have every reason to rejoice:

• They have obeyed the Gospel. (Acts 8:29; 16:34)
• When they serve and sacrifice. (Heb. 10:34)
• When they are mistreated. (Mt. 5:11-12; Acts 5:41)

Christians are basically happy - not hyped!

• Sad at times. (Rom. 9:2)
• Anxious at times. (2 Cor. 2:13; 11:28)
• Fearful at times. (2 Cor. 7:4-6)
• Such are exceptions, not the rule.
• Characterized by inner peace of mind from God. (Phil. 4:4-9)
• Happy in spite of outward circumstances. (Phil. 4:11)

 

HAPPINESS ROBBERS

GUILT

• The guilty should not be happy while guilty. (Psa. 51:3-4)
• If happy, the guilty will not repent. (2 Cor. 7:8-10)
• The guilty can only be happy by:
  • Searing their conscience. (1 Tim. 4:2)
  • Accepting forgiveness

ENVY, JEALOUSY, RESENTMENT

• Envy is rottenness to the bones, (Prov. 14:30)
• Envy made Joseph's brothers unhappy. (Gen. 37:4-5-5:19)

COVETOUSNESS

• Brings sorrow. (1 Tim .6:6-10)
• Covetousness is never satisfied.
• Covetousness is idolatry. (Col. 3:5)

HATRED

• A form of murder. (1 Jn. 3:15)
• Must be put away. (Eph. 4:31-32)

EVIL SUSPICIONS

• Must be avoided. (1 Tim. 6:4-5)
• Opposite of love. (1 Cor. 13:5)

BROODING

• Need to think on good things. (Phil. 4:8)
• Help what can be helped, but don’t brood over what you can't help.
• Rejected by the Jews, Paul turned to the Gentiles. (Acts 18:16)
• Do our duty but feel free from their blood. (Acts 20:26-27)
• Remember some things are out of our hands.

INORDINATE ANXIETY - FEAR

• A lack of faith. (Matt. 6:30-31)
• A lack of faith in the power and providence of God.