1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore.

Paul commanded that the child of God should rejoice evermore. The believer will rejoice throughout eternity – evermore – and we can understand this when we consider what God has done, what He is doing, and what He will do. This morning, just think about the blessings from God resulting in –

I. Our Position.

A. You were sought by the Lord.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

B. You were saved by the Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The disciples had been given great power to use in the ministry of the Word as He sent them out to preach. They returned rejoicing in the results of their use of the power. Notice the Lord’s response to them –

Luke 10:19-20 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
The time would come when this power from the Lord would no longer be used in their ministries. When the power stopped, would their rejoicing stop also?
When the Apostle Paul could heal others but not himself, his rejoicing was not in the power to heal but in the grace of God. Rejoice evermore that you were sought, that you were saved, and that –

C. You were sealed by the Lord.

Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Will you rejoice in your position – sought, saved, sealed, and safe eternally. Will there ever be a time that we might not rejoice in our position? Rejoice evermore in your position!

Do we understand that we not only have a position with God, but He has blessed us in that He considers us to be in the position of His children.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

We are certainly purchased possessions, but we also know that purchased possession might be sought, saved, sealed and put away for safe keeping. The Lord has not put us away on a shelf, in a cabinet or drawer, neither deposited us in a safe deposit box. If He had chosen to do this, He would save Himself a lot of trouble! The Lord has chosen to put us on display in the world. His purchased possessions, but so much more. His precious children testifying to an amazing relationship between the Creator and His creations. Through this relationship the believer testifies to the world of the glory of God. His glory and our rejoicing is revealed through –

II. Our Prayer.

We have the personal invitation from God to speak to Him often.

A. He gave us an education. How many people have you heard say “I do not know how to pray”.

Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

B. He gave us an example.

John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

C. He gave us an entrance.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The Lord has always shared His desire to communicate with His children. Remember His words in –

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

We will be communicating with Him forever, throughout eternity. Rejoice evermore!
As His children, the Lord has promised to supply –

III. Our Provision.

The Lord has promised to provide for His own –

Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

He gives us those good things that He knows we need –

Matthew 7:9-11 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Will you rejoice in His provision for you. He will provide for us forever: Rejoice evermore!

IV. Our Protection.

Now this is an interesting blessing from the Lord. He protects us, but not necessarily like we think He will. We think that He will keep us from harm. We hope that He will not let us hurt, be in pain, sick, attacked by those that hate Him and therefore, hate us. There are many times that He, according to His will, may protect us from these things but the facts are clear – we are going to be hurt, injured, sick, attacked, and for sure we are going to die. He does not always protect us from these things, but He always protects us IN them. He is with us and He gives us strength to trust Him. What is the worst thing about any of these things – FEAR. We become afraid, yet over and over He tells us that we do not need to be afraid. He cares for our emotions and He told us that He knows that –

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

He loves us and He wants us to love Him – perfectly, removing fear from our lives. From the beginning to the end of His Word, He tells His children “…be strong and of good courage..” Do not fear – What is the worst that can happen? We go to be with Him! Is that a bad things? NO!
We can rejoice that He is our Protector, always! We can Rejoice Evermore!

If all of this is not enough, if you are yet to be convinced of rejoicing in your position, your prayer, your provision, your protection – then Rejoice in This –

V. Our Prospect.

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

We have the promise of eternal life with Him. When we read of the eternal city, our dwelling place, how can we do anything except rejoice –

Revelation 21:1-4 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Two very simple words, written by Paul to the church in Thessalonica and to us, but powerful words – Rejoice evermore!

Can you rejoice today? Do you know the Lord as your Saviour?