Acts 8:39 – Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; & he went on his

2012 Theme Verse:“Rejoice in the Lord always.

Again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4)

‘Rejoice in the Lord always!”

1. A Command• Rejoice

2. A Comprehensive Command• Rejoice…always

3. A Centered Command• Rejoice in the Lord

4. A Uniquely Christian Command

Rejoice in the Lord’s forgiveness

Acts 8:39 – Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; & he went on his way rejoicing.


Acts 16:34 – Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; & he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.


1 Peter 1:18-19 – knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish & without spot.


1 Peter 1:8-9 – whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible & full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls.


Luke 10:20 – Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.


Psa 32:1-2 – Blessed is he whose trans-gressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him.

Rejoice in the Lord’s purposes

Acts 5:41 – So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.


Phil 1:12 – What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; & in this I rejoice, yes, & will rejoice.


Rom 5:1-3 – Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, & rejoice in hope of the glory of God.


James 1:2-4 – My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Rejoice in the Lord’s people

Rejoice in serving them. Acts 20:35 – I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’


Rejoice in serving them. John 13:15, 17 – For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. …17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.


Rejoice in their spiritual growth. Phil 2:2 – fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.


Rejoice in their spiritual growth. 1 Thess 3:8-9 – For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,


Rejoice in their spiritual growth. 1 Thess 2:19-20 – For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory & joy.


Rejoice in their repentance & salvation. Luke 15:10 – Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Rejoice in the Lord’s home

Rev 19:6-7 – And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters & as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad & rejoice & give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, & His wife (the church) has made herself ready.”


Rev 19:8-9 – And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean & bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’“ And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”


John 14:1-3 – Let not your heart be troubled (rejoice); you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 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. 3 And if I go & prepare a place for you, I will come again & receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

‘Rejoice in the Lord always!”

The only way to find lasting joy

and

The only way to ease the pain of life.

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Acts 8:39 – Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; & he went on his