Reasons to Rejoice

Thirty-five years ago in 1988, a song was released, and the music video showed a businessman reading in the newspaper that the stock market had crashed. That man is then seen standing on the edge of his balcony presumably prepared to jump to his death. It’s an ominous image to describe.

 The song lyrics described other troubling scenarios which for many would be tragic, especially if they all happened to the same person. A man loses his bed and his home. He can’t pay rent. His landlord is taking him to court. He has no money. He has no nice clothes. And he has no woman in his life.

Despite the ominous circumstances depicted in the video and the lyrics, the song had a very cheerful tone, and it grew in popularity very rapidly. In fact, it was the first a cappella song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was by Bobby McFerrin, and it was called “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”

Something about that title and that tone resonated with people, and that shouldn’t be surprising. Our culture loves the idea cheerfulness and joy. People like to think that even in difficult circumstances, they can find peace and happiness.

Back in 1977, Bob Marley and the Wailers gave us “Three Little Birds” which said, “Don’t worry about a thing ‘cause every little thing gonna be alright.” And ten years ago Pharell Williams told us to clap along if we felt happy and nothing should bring us down.

What strikes me the most about these “happy” songs is how empty they actually are. Why should we be happy? How do you or I know that every little thing is going to be alright?

If you boil it down, the message of the culture is that you shouldn’t be sad because that will make you sadder, and it can make other people sad too. Instead, you should be happy because that’ll make you happy. These songs treat happiness like it's a new pair of shoes you can just put on whenever you want.

While we should expect empty emotions from the culture, what is troubling is that Christians can project the same kind of message when we walk around telling ourselves and one another that we need to be joyful. If we don’t give concrete reasons for our joy, then we are talking as if our emotions are a thermostat that we can raise and lower whenever we feel like it.

The result of that kind of thinking is either going to be that we pat ourselves on the back because we’re so proud that we have maintained out joy, or we fall into guilt or hopelessness because we weren’t able to do it.

That is not the picture the Bible gives us about joy. True joy—biblical joy, Christian joy—does not originate in the human heart. It can be found there, but that is not its source.

Last time we talked about joy, I pointed out to you that the only true source of joy is found in God Himself. It comes through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, and it is applied to us by the Holy Spirit. There is worldly joy or false joy, but the real thing only comes from God.

I also pointed out that true joy is intended by God to connect to and enhance every aspect of the Christian life, and it is compatible with pain. That is to say that even when life hurts, in all the ways that is can, the command of 1 Thessalonians 5:16 remains—Rejoice always.

As I said to you a couple weeks ago, the New Testament has a total of about 10 or 11 commands to rejoice, and I’ll let you hunt them down if you want to do that. But what we’re going to be doing today is walking through how we specifically accomplish the obedience to that command.

In God’s providence, I found myself fighting for joy this week, and I don’t know if I was doing it more than usual or if I was just paying more attention to it than usual, but either way, I found it helpful to put into practice what I am learning, and I hope it's helpful to you too.

You can’t just flip the joy switch in your mind; you have to have a reason to be joyful, and then you need to be intentional about rejoicing in that reason. By God’s grace, my study of joy in the New Testament found 7 different reasons to rejoice.

A couple weeks ago, I said I had eight reasons, but I’ve reworked them a bit. These seven reasons are not distinct. I think you’ll see that there’s a lot of overlap, and that’s good too because it means that there’s never going to be only one reason to be joyful.

As followers of Christ, even though we face the difficulties and pains of this world, the one constant, the one unchanging reality is going to be God, and every one of the reasons to rejoice will be connected to Him.

So, let’s get started on this list. Just so you know, there are a lot of passages that connect to each reason, but I’ve tried to whittle it down just to help us focus. Here we go: seven reasons to rejoice.

#1: Rejoice in God’s Revelation

Summary:

• We can rejoice because God has given us His message

Biblical examples

• Luke 2:12—“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
• Matt 2:10—When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 
• John 8:56—Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.
• John 17:13—These things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
• 1 Thes 1:6—You received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit

Practical Applications for Joy

• Read your Bible for what it is, the word of God.
• Delight in God's Revelation

#2: Rejoice in God’s Plan

Summary:

• We can rejoice because God is powerfully working in and orchestrating human history. We are seeing God work every day.

Biblical examples

• Many rejoiced at the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. God’s plan was advancing.
• Jesus said He was glad that Lazarus died, so that the disciples faith would grow.
• The women and the disciples rejoiced at Jesus' Resurrection. God's plan had been fulfilled.
• There are examples of joy because prayers had been answered
• Acts 8:8—Philip goes to Samaria to preach and miracles were done—So there was much joy in that city.

Practical Applications for joy

• Think about how has God answered prayers and how He is working in your life.
• Consider is you are praying enough to see God answer.
• Remember, there are no futile days or wasted seasons. Everything is advancing toward God’s predetermined plan

#3: Rejoice in God’s Salvation

Summary:

• We can rejoice because God has saved us and others.

Biblical examples

• John 4:36—he who sows and he who reaps will rejoice together
• Luke 10:20-21—"Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
• Luke 15—Lost sheep, lost coin, lost son. In the final parable, the Father rejoices at the return of the prodigal son.
• Acts has numerous examples of joy in salvation.

Practical Applications for joy

• Rehearse the grace of God in salvation. While we were sinners, Christ died for us. We have been forgiven and declared righteous.
• Allow eternal security to confront the misery of guilt.
• Rejoice in the salvation of others.
• Evangelize more for your own joy.

#4: Rejoice in God’s Sanctification

Summary:

• We can rejoice becuase God is conforming us and others to the image of Christ.

Biblical examples

• Rom 16:19—For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you 
• 2 Cor 7—Paul rejoiced in the repentance of the Corinthians.
• Colossians 2:5—Paul rejoices to see their good order and the firmness of their faith in Christ.
• James 1:2-3—Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
• 3 John 1:4—I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Practical Applications for joy

• Think about how is God working in you. How have you grown?
• Think about how is God working in others.
• Invest in relationships to see others' growth.
• Remember that salvation isn’t the end of God's work.

#5: Rejoice in God’s Family

Summary:

• We can rejoice in fellowship with other believers

Biblical examples

• Rom 12:15—Rejoice with those who rejoice.
• Paul found joy and refreshment in the churches and in his coworkers (Timothy, Titus, etc.)
• The Philippians rejoiced at the return of Epaphroditus.
• Paul said the churches were his joy and crown.
• 2 John 1:12—Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

Practical Applications for joy

• Delight in your relationships with other Christians.
• Work toward deeper friendships with people at church.
• Open your life up to others to share struggles and joys.
• Make time to be with others. Come to Lord’s Supper service. Be a part of a Sunday morning class, FLG, etc.

#6: Rejoice in God’s Reward

Summary:

• We cna rejoice because one day we will receive our eternal inheritance.

Biblical examples

• Matthew 5:11-12 (cf Luke 6:23)—Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 
• Hebrews 10:34—For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
• 1 Peter 1:4-6—We have an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us... In this, we rejoice.
• Rom 8—Temporary affliction cannot compare to the glory that awaits us.

Practical Applications for joy

• Stop and think about heaven.
• Read about heaven. Study the topic.
• Remember that the pain of this life is temporary.
• Rejoice in Christ's victory!

#7: Rejoice in God’s Son

Summary:

• We can and must rejoice in Chris who is the summation of our joy.
• Christ gave us God’s word and is Himself God’s Supreme Revelation.
• Christ is the centerpiece and end of God’s plan. He is advancing everything according to His power
• Christ has saved us by his sacrifice.
• Christ is sanctifying us by His Spirit.
• Christ has united us to others and given us a family.
• Christ will give us our final reward.

Biblical examples

• John the Baptist said his joy was made full at the manifestation of Jesus Christ.
• Matthew 13:44—A man joyfully sells everything he has to buy a field with treasure. Christ is our great treasure.
• The disciples rejoiced at Christ rising from the dead.
• The Apostles rejoiced in persecution because they were worthy to suffer for Christ’s name.
• Php 1:18—What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
• Paul rejoiced in His sufferings because He was serving Christ.
• 1 Peter 1:8-9—Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
• Rev 19:7—Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.

Practical Applications for joy

• Confess your sin and draw near to Christ.
• Cultivate love for Christ. This is the heart of true spiritual growth.
• Remember that Christ will never leave you or forsake you.
• Grow in your knowledge and love of Christ so that you can grow in joy.