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I. WHAT IS IT TO REJOICE? There is —

1. A joy in outward things.

(1)  Natural.

(2)  Sinful (Ecclesiastes 11:9).

(3)  Lawful (Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13, 22).

2. A spiritual joy in God (Philippians 3:1; Philippians 4:4).

II. WHAT IS IT TO REJOICE ALWAYS IN THE LORD? To make Him the object of all our joy.

1. For what He is in Himself (Matthew 19:17).

2. For what He is to us.

(1)  Our preserver (Psalm 46:1, 2).

(2)  Our Saviour (Habakkuk 3:18; Psalm 27:1).

(3)  Our God (Hebrews 8:10).

III. WHY OUGHT WE TO REJOICE EVERMORE?

1. God commands it (Psalm 32:11; Philippians 4:4).

2. Christ prays for it (John 17:13).

3. The Holy Ghost works it (John 14:26; John 17:7). 4 It is necessary and useful.

(1) To lessen our esteem of the world and of sinful pleasures (Psalm 4:7; Psalm 84:10).

(2) To enlarge our hearts and make them more capacious of heavenly things.

(3) To facilitate our duties, and make us active in God's service (Deuteronomy 28:47; Nehemiah 8:10).

(4) To support us under our troubles (1 Peter 1:7, 8).

IV. How WE MAY ALWAYS REJOICE?

1. Live above the world (2 Corinthians 4:18).

2. Live above the natural temper of your bodies.

3. Avoid such things as are wont to grieve and trouble you.

(1)  Sin (Psalm 51:8; Matthew 26:75; 2 Corinthians 1:12).

(2)  Needless questions —

(a)  about God's decrees.

(b)  The exact time of your conversion.

(c)  Judging yourselves according to your outward condition (Ecclesiastes 9:1).

4. Whatsoever happens still put your trust in God (Isaiah 49:13, 14; Isaiah 50:10; Isaiah 55:7; Hebrews 13:6).

5. Act your faith constantly in Christ (John 14:1; Romans 8:33, 34).

6. Often meditate on the happiness of those who truly fear God.

(1)  In this world (Romans 8:28).

(2)  In the world to come (1 Corinthians 2:9).

7. Check thyself whensoever thou findest thy spirits begin to sink (Psalm 42:5, 11).

(Bp. Beveridge.)

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KJV: Rejoice evermore.

WEB: Rejoice always.