Sermon Notes from "A Simple Bouquet of Joy." Sermon by Jim Scott Orrick

[The following notes were taken by Abby during the 10:45AM service this morning at Kosmosdale Baptist Church.]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

I. Introduction

A. All of God's rules are indicative of His character.

B. With each of God's commands, we should ask what the command teaches us concerning God's character.

C. With each of God's commands, we should ask what the command teaches us concerning the character of God's people.
D. Our lives ought to be characterized by rejoicing, a sense of dependence on God, and thanksgiving.

II. Rejoice Always

A. The qualifier "always" makes the command seem more difficult, but it is intended to make the command even more of a blessing.

B. Our God is a joyful God.

C. Jesus is described in Scripture as having been anointed with the oil of joy.

D. God's people should be characterized by joy; though there is a place for mourning, there is no verse that says "mourn always."

E. "Emotions ARE important in the Christian life."

III. Pray Without Ceasing

A. God is concerned about relationships: "prayer is personal interaction with God."

B. God is intimately involved in His creation.

C. We must not let our confidence in God's sovereignty keep us from prayer.

D. "Without ceasing" means:

1. "Habitually:" acts-> habits-> character.

2. "Persistently" (i.e. The Parable of the Persistent Widow).

3. Constantly aware of God's presence

IV. In Everything Give Thanks

A. God teaches us to say "thank you" in a similar way to how we teach our children to give thanks.

B. "In all things" does not mean "for all things;" when bad things happen, we do not have to pretend that those bad things are good.