1 Thessalonians — Chapter 5

Rejoice Evermore

What should the Christian’s immediate and continual response be to the gospel and salvation? The response should be one of joy! “Rejoice evermore” is more than an emotion; it is a settled reality of all who are saved. In this sermon on 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones challenges his listeners with the direct command to rejoice evermore. A Christian is to rejoice evermore for this is the will of God. The command to rejoice is given through the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians. He states that a clear and defining characteristic of the Christian is that of joy. Having experienced the joy that came with his own conversion, the Apostle Paul now instructs all believers that this is the mark of their Christian lives. However, rejoicing evermore is a tall order. Dr Lloyd-Jones recognizes this and asks: “How are we to do this? How can we rejoice in all things? Should we wait on or work up some type of feeling?” He reminds the listener that the Christian maintains a constant attitude of joy by taking their growing knowledge of the truth and applying it by the Spirit. Salvation and the growing knowledge of the vast implications of the gospel when applied by the Spirit will enable the Christian to rejoice evermore.