Third Sunday in Advent (2023)

The historic Christian Church gave Latin titles to each Sunday. They titled the Third Sunday in Advent “Gaudete,” which means “Rejoice!” As we reach the midway point of Advent, we remember that when the King shall come, he will bring us perfect and everlasting joy.

Joy is not the same thing as happiness. Happiness is an emotion. Joyfulness is a condition. Happiness comes from your circumstances. Joyfulness comes from your King entering into your heart and assuring you of his abiding love and your glorious future.

Therefore, happiness is fleeting, like the wrapping paper and ribbon on a Christmas gift, which are important parts of the gift. But, the wrapping paper and ribbon do not give the gifts their value. Joyfulness, on the other hand, is enduring, because Christ our King is the one who gives our lives true value, due to His love that He pours into our hearts every single day of our lives. And because of this truth:

God Will Keep Us Forever True

Always living our faith

(1 Thess 5:16–18)

The Thessalonian Christians were enduring much persecution

St. Paul wrote them this letter of encouragement.

This letter is reminding them that God gave them their new life and He will see them through to the end.

In this backdrop we are now enabled to

Be Joyful Always: One might think that if anyone had reason to despair, the Thessalonians did, on account of the unfair treatment they were receiving. But like them, we know the example of Jesus, who carried his cross in joyful determination to save us from sin, death, and the devil. Like the Thessalonians, we know we are immensely blessed with the gospel. Trials, tribulations, even persecution only further convinces us that Christ was what mattered most in our lives. As a result, we are joyful and today’s text encourages us to continue in that joy.

Pray Continually: The KJV literal says, “without ceasing.” Christians are never alone. We have the privilege of direct communication with our Ally and Friend. Whether the trials and tribulations we face in this life appear to be imminent or not, Satan is lurking and waiting for any opportunity to pounce on us, like a roaring lion. Therefore, intense prayer struggle with our Lord and Advocate will strengthen our position in daily combat with our already defeated foe. Sanctified and trial tested, we Christians continually pray that in everything God’s will be done and his kingdom come.

Give thanks in all circumstances: The Holy Spirit so disciplines Christians that their prayers breathe a spirit of thankfulness. While the non-Christians are discontented even when living like kings, we Christians know our spiritual blessings far surpass the material. We, therefore, are thankful, even in troubles, because we know hardship only strengthens faith. The second half of the verse offers the reason for the three commands: Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks. “This is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This is the new nature —what describes who we are—in Christ Jesus.

This is how the Christian lives the faith. These are the good works, if you will, that God produces in us. And God will Keep Us Forever True.

Because Christ gives our lives true value the Christian is:

Always in the Word

(1 Thess 5:19–22)

The NKJV says, “do not quench the Spirit” whereas the NIV says, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” The Holy Spirit will not leave a person he has brought to faith, but such a person can certainly snuff out the Spirit’s fire through unbelief. Satan will powerfully tempt persecuted Christians to deny the faith in order to escape bodily pain and anguish. But the Spirit’s fire refines us just as fire refines metal by burning off impurities.

Therefore, we are always in the Word “Do not treat prophecies with contempt.” This means the entire revealed, inerrant Word of God.

Many people give equal or higher authority to human philosophy and wisdom.

Not all methods of Bible interpretation do not recognize the inerrancy of Scripture.

We live in a society that demands tolerance of viewpoints, even if they oppose Scripture.

Turning a deaf ear to Scripture is the best way to put out the Spirit’s fire. Swapping the diligent study of the Word for the easy life only leads to a soul emptied of meaning, purpose, and life.

God will keep us forever true when “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”

Δοκιμάζετε, means “examine, interpret, discern, discover, prove, test.” Mindful of Jesus’ warning against false prophets, wolves in sheep’s clothing, Christians will put all things to the test. The standard is not what seems to make sense or to work best. The standard or rule by which Christians test and discern is God’s inspired Word. How does what someone is saying stand up to God’s Word?

Once this test is applied, we are to reject what does not fall into line with God’s Word and hold to that which does. Even if the conflict seems small, God still wants us to avoid it. One false teaching leads to another. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough” (Ga 5:9).

We are always in the Word so that we do not shipwreck the faith. There are many wolves in sheep’s clothing. Especially with the availability of the internet and publishing houses willing to publish anything if it will make them money, we must stay in the Word so that we can immediately spot the truth from error, so that we are not led astray. And remaining diligent in this regard, God will keep us forever true.

Always trusting him

(1 Thess 5: 23, 24)

The condition of our heart is what makes us valuable to God.

By nature our heart is broken, filthy, and unacceptable to God.

For Jesus’ sake, God forgives all our sins, making us perfect and valuable in His sight (“through and through'-Luther) (v. 23).

We can depend on God, who first washed away all our sins in baptism and continues to work faith in our hearts through His Gospel. He will continue to keep us in this faith through the same means by which He first called us-His Word and sacraments (v. 24).

God is faithful and is one who keeps his promises. He never broke a single one. This promise “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (v. 24) is no different. He who calls us to daily repentance and faith will sanctify us and keep us blameless till the coming of Jesus — Keeping Us Forever True

Let us give all glory to God alone for what we are and what we do. But let us also seek by His grace to wrap our faith in those things that always glorify Him. For God Will Keep Us Forever True

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.