REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS.
a. Rejoice means ( Merriam Webster Dictionary ) to give you or to feel joy or great delight.
b. To rejoice means to have or to possess great joy and delight.
c. To rejoice in the Lord is to have joy.
d. In times of plague, it can be hard to rejoice in the Lord.
e. When death and sicknesses and financial difficulties are all around us.
f. Yet, the Word of God says that we must find joy in everything.
g. Philippians 4:4
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
h. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 - Rejoice always,
1. REJOICE IN OUR IDENTITY IN GOD.
a. Psalm 100:2-4
2Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
3Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
b. Romans 14:8
8If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
c. John 1:12
12Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
d. Psalm 139:14
14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
2. REJOICE IN OUR PRAYERS.
a. Philippians 4:6
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
b. 1 John 5:14
14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
c. Isaiah 65:24
24Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
d. John 14:13-14
13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
3. REJOICE IN THE PEACE OF GOD.
a. Philippians 4:7
7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
b. We have peace even in the midst of uncertainty, fear and anxiety.
c. John 16:33
33“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
d. John 14:27
27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
e. 2 Thessalonians 3:16
16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
