God's Will For You - Rejoice Always

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                          "GOD’S WILL FOR YOU"

                             Rejoice Always

INTRODUCTION

1. What is God’s will for you...?
   a. Of course, if you are not saved, the answer is rather obvious
   b. But if you are saved, what is God’s will for you in your life?

2. Sometimes the Scriptures are quite clear, as in passages like...
   a. 1Th 5:16-18
   b. 1Th 4:3
   c. 1Pe 2:15

[Such passages do not exhaust what is God’s will.  But this series of
lessons will focus our attention on what is clearly stated as the will
of God for you.  Starting with 1Th 5:16, where we learn that...]

I. GOD WANTS YOU TO REJOICE ALWAYS

   A. REJOICE IN LIFE...
      1. To rejoice in your youth - Ec 11:9
      2. To rejoice in your work - Ec 2:24; 3:12-13,22; 5:18-20
      3. To rejoice in life and wife - Ec 9:7-9; 11:8
      4. To rejoice in the things God has given us - 1Ti 6:17
      5. Of course, we are to rejoice responsibly - 1Ti 6:18-19; Ec 12:1

   B. REJOICE IN SALVATION...
      1. To rejoice knowing that you are saved - Lk 10:20
      2. To rejoice as a kingdom quality - Ro 14:17
      3. To rejoice as fruit of the Spirit - Ga 5:22

[It is clearly the will of God that you rejoice always!  Now let’s
consider why...]

II. YOU NEED TO REJOICE ALWAYS

   A. FOR PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL STRENGTH...
      1. Anxiety weighs one down - Pr 12:25
      2. A glad heart raises the spirit - Pr 15:13,15
      3. A joyful heart is like good medicine - Pr 17:22

   B. FOR SPIRITUAL STRENGTH...
      1. In the joy of the Lord there is great strength - cf. Neh 8:10
      2. When we have joy in what we believe, we abound in hope - cf. Ro
         15:13
      2. When we are joyful, it helps those around us to be joyful
         - e.g., 2Co 2:3

[Our Creator understands the importance of a joyful spirit for both body
and soul.  Since He wants you to rejoice always, here are a few thoughts
on...]

III. HOW YOU CAN REJOICE ALWAYS

   A. IN THE LORD...
      1. It is in the Lord that one finds the ability to "rejoice
         always" - cf. Php 4:4
      2. His salvation is the source of much joy - cf. Ps 21:1
      3. He grants joy to those who please Him - Ec 2:26; 5:20
      4. His mercy is a source of great joy - Ps 31:7
      5. In His presence there is fullness of joy, and He will abide
         with us if we obey His commands - Ps 16:11; cf. Jn 14:21,23

   B. SOME IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS...
      1. Read and feed upon the Word of God daily - cf. Psa 1:1-3; Jer
         15:16
      2. Meditate upon the teachings of Christ and His apostles
         a. Jesus spoke that His disciples joy might be full - Jn 15:11
         b. The apostles wrote that our joy might be full - 1Jn 1:4
      3. Sing praises of joy to God
         a. Certainly we should sing when cheerful - Jm 5:13
         b. But we can also find joy by singing praises (cf. "Sing and
            Be Happy") - Ps 71:23; 104:33-34; 135:3
      4. Spend time with brethren who make us happy
         a. As Titus’ joy encouraged Paul - 2Co 7:13
         b. As Philemon’s love and joy refreshed the hearts of others
            and gave Paul joy - Phm 1:7
      5. Lead others to Christ, for they will be a great source of joy
         a. As the Thessalonians were to Paul - 1Th 2:19-20; 3:9
         b. As Philemon was to Paul - Phm 1:7
         c. As John’s converts made him joyful - 3Jn 1:4

CONCLUSION

1. So what is the will of God for you...?
   a. Rejoice always!
   b. Rejoice in the Lord always!
   c. Rejoice in the blessings He has given you!
   d. Rejoice in both the physical and spiritual blessings of life!

2. This does not mean we will never suffer hardship; but if it is in
   service to God...
   a. There can be great joy! - cf. Mt 5:10-12
   b. There can be inexpressible joy! - cf. 1Pe 1:6-9

Even if the hardships we experience are due to the vicissitudes of life,
we can rejoice that we serve a God who offers comfort and hope to endure
every trial:

   "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing
   that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance,
   character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint,
   because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by
   the Holy Spirit who was given to us." - Ro 5:3-5

And so, let us be diligent to do the will of God:  Rejoice always...!
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