What Do Joyful Christians Look Like?

3rd Sunday in Advent, 12/13/20 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 What Do Joyful Christians Look Like? I. They possess a spiritual outlook on daily life. II. They pay attention to God’s word. III. The persevere until the Lord’s return. We live in a graphic world, and by “graphic” I mean that we don’t have to imagine what something looks like; we can see it. People all over the world are taking pictures and recording actions on video. And then they post or share them so that we can see exactly what they saw. We don’t have to imagine it; it’s right there in front of us. We instantly see how beautiful, amazing, unusual, disturbing, or horrific something is. Today marks the Third Sunday in Advent, a Sunday in the church year that always extends the encouragement for us to rejoice. One appropriate response to the fact that Jesus will come to this earth is to be filled with joy. But aside from the fact that our worship theme is somewhat evident in the hymns, scripture readings and prayers that have been selected for today, I’m having a little difficulty seeing much joy. In fact, if I took a picture of you right now or a selfie of me right now, and sent it to someone, they probably wouldn’t be able to tell from the picture that today’s worship theme encourages us to rejoice. It’s not all that evident. And that’s OK. That’s right; it’s OK. Because Christian joy isn’t necessarily an outward display that anyone can readily see. It’s an inward emotion. A smile in our hearts, if you will. By God’s grace through faith in Jesus, he has placed that joy in your hearts and mine. And even though we can’t see that joy, it’s evident in our Christian lives. Paul describes that joyful Christian life for us here in 1 Thessalonians 5. Let’s take a close look at his words and, as we do, let’s ask ourselves, “What do joyful Christians look like?” And as our Lord answers that question for us, may he instill that joy in our hearts in greater measure! Part I. Regarding joy in your life, I have a bit of advice for you. If you attempt to find lasting joy in anything tied to sinful human beings or our sinful world, you’re going to be disappointed. If you begin to find any joy from those sources, sooner or later it’s going to dry up and fade away. It has to, because sin causes frustration even in our attempts to find joy. So where can you look for some joy? In spiritual things, not worldly things or worldly relationships. Listen again to the opening words of our text, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Did you notice something? Right after Paul urges you to rejoice always, he doesn’t advise you to find your joy in some experience in this world, or in some human relationship. He doesn’t tell you to go out and buy something to make yourself happy. He tells you to pray continually. Now, how can you possibly do that? You have to work, and eat, and sleep. That’s true. So, what does this mean? One commentator has explained this encouragement to pray continually as the Christian’s constant readiness to approach God in prayer. In other words, prayer isn’t your last resort or only something you do in church or before eating a meal. It’s a constant readiness to speak to God in prayer about what you’re facing or what you’re feeling. You realize that there’s a spiritual component to your life at all times because you’re a Christian. And when that’s your frame of mind, then you’re ready to give thanks in all circumstances. But how can you be thankful when tragedy strikes or you’re an emotional wreck? Because you know that you are still a child of God by faith in Jesus, that your God is with you in every situation of life, and that eternal life is yours. Christians look at this world and their lives in it through the lens of the spiritual life they have with their Lord Jesus. So, what do joyful Christians look like? They possess a spiritual outlook on daily life. But I have a confession to make. I’m not very good at that, at least, not at times. How about you? Too often I try to find my joy in the situation I’m in, and when I can’t find it, I tend to implode emotionally and psychologically. My world caves in on me. But not when I recall the higher life I have—my life in Christ. He is the one who fills me with hope no matter what my outward circumstances are. He died for every time my view of life has excluded him. He rose again to assure me of life with him. He made me his own at my Baptism. And now he leads me to find my comfort and joy each day in him. That’s a spiritual outlook on daily life. That’s what joyful Christians look like. Part II. I have a question for you. Compared to a year ago, do you spend more or less time paying attention to the news? I won’t ask for a show of hands, but I’m going to guess that the majority of you would respond that you spend less time paying attention to the news. I know I do. And one reason for it is that I’m not sure that what’s being fed to me is the truth, at least not the complete truth. But that unfortunate situation has caused me to do something else, something far better—to pay more attention to the word of God. And I do that knowing that God’s word—unlike the news—is the truth. And that’s another identifying mark of a joyful Christian. Paul describes it this way, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” Each of those encouragements has to do with our use of the word of God. The Holy Spirit works in you through God’s word. He wants to do that every day. Give him the opportunity! Don’t put out his fire! Next, Paul warns about treating prophecies with contempt. Just what does that mean? It means we shouldn’t despise the truths God shares with us for our eternal lives and our daily lives. It’s avoiding the mindset that God doesn’t know what he’s talking about; we know better. That’s not a Christian’s attitude towards God’s word. Thirdly, he urges us to avoid anything that is evil and hold onto the good. Our world is drowning in a sea of spiritual sewage. Here is God’s truth for your life. Let it advise you on what is false and what is true. That’s what Christians do when they are filled with an inner joy over their relationship with Jesus. They pay attention to God’s word. But I still struggle with that. Every day. I’ll bet you do, too. And that’s because we have a sinful nature that wants nothing to do with what God states in his word. Our sinful nature tries to convince us that what’s good is bad and what’s bad is good. It lies to us constantly. How can we possibly win this battle? With the word of God. That word assures us of our forgiveness for every time our sinful nature has gotten the best of us. It also announces that we belong to Christ by faith and we have the power of the risen Lord Jesus in us, guiding us and helping us win our daily battles. And with those victories comes inner joy. What do joyful Christians look like? They pay attention to God’s word. Part III. All day long we’re confronted with demands or encouragements to do something. Every commercial on TV is an appeal for you to do something—to buy something, give something, wear something, take some action that will benefit you and others. Whether we’re at home, at school, or at work, those demands are always with us—right in front of us or in the back of our minds. We should be doing something. One of the most joyful truths of Christianity is that we do nothing for our forgiveness or salvation. We can do nothing. Our God has done it all and does it all. Listen to Paul describe God’s activity for us, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” First, Paul prays for God to sanctify us. That means to set us apart from the unbelieving world, to make us holy. The Lord wants our daily lives to be a reflection of our life with him. That’s a tall order. How can we possibly attain it? Through the power of the risen Lord Jesus. He gives you the power to live for him. And then he will keep you blameless. The second time Jesus comes to this world it will be to judge all people. That’s not the most comfortable thought, is it? But Paul states that Jesus himself will keep you blameless. He will guard and keep you in your faith in him as your Savior. With that faith you have full and complete forgiveness. Therefore, you are blameless before him. Jesus will keep you that way until he returns. We do nothing. Jesus does it all. What do joyful Christians look like? They persevere until the Lord’s return. I’m sure you’ve done at least a few things to prepare for Christmas. Many of you have probably done many things. It’s an important Christian celebration. But there’s a far more important date on the Christian’s calendar, and that’s the day of the Lord’s return. It could happen at any time. Are you ready? Indeed, you are, by faith in Jesus. He has done everything for you. Let that truth fill your heart with inner joy, and let that joy be evident by the way that you live your daily life. You have a joy that the world cannot take from you. Rejoice! Amen.