DO YOU WANT LASTING JOY?
1) Do you believe in being in fellowship with God that results in joy?
1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the
beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which
we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of
life; the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and
declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was
manifested to us; that which we have seen and heard we declare to you,
that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is
with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
2) Are you abiding in Jesus Christ that results in joy?
John 15:7-11 "If you abide in Me,
and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall
be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much
fruit; so you will be My disciples. As the Father loved Me, I also have
loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will
abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and
abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."
3) Despite problems, do you love Jesus Christ that results in joy?
1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly
rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been
grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being
much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by
fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of
Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.
Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith; the
salvation of your souls.
4) Are you serving Jesus Christ that results in joy?
Romans 14:16-18 For the kingdom of
God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in
the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable
to God and approved by men.
5) Are you praying for others that results in joy?
Philippians 1:3-6 I thank my God
upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making
request for you all with joy,
for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being
confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you
will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
6) Are you with other Christians that results in joy?
2 John 1:12 Having many things to
write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to
come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
7) Are you looking forward to the return of Jesus Christ that results in joy?
1 Thessalonians 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? For you are our glory
and joy.
DO YOU HAVE JOY?
Joy Defined: The emotion evoked by experiencing great
pleasure or delight.
1) Solomon recommends that we enjoy life.
Ecclesiastes 9:7-9 Go, eat your bread with joy, And drink
your wine with a merry heart; For God has already accepted your
works. Let your garments always be white, And let your head lack no
oil. Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days
of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days
of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which
you perform under the sun.
2) There is joy in salvation and being a child of God.
Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and
uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Luke 24:52-53 And they worshiped Him, and returned to
Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple
praising and blessing God. Amen.
Acts 8:5-8 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and
preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded
the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he
did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many
who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.
And there was great joy in that city.
Romans 5:11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received
the reconciliation.
Philippians 1:3-6 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with
joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until
now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has
begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus
Christ;
3) There is joy in true Christian fellowship.
Philippians 2:1-2 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ,
if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any
affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded,
having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Philemon 1:4-7 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my
prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the
Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith
may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which
is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation
in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been
refreshed by you, brother.
2 John 1:12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to
do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to
face, that our joy may be full.
4) There is joy in true Christian hope.
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we
have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice
in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of
the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 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? For you are our glory and joy.
5) There is joy in true Christian ministry and preaching.
Acts 20:24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my
life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy,
and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to
the gospel of the grace of God."
Romans 14:16-18 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as
evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he
who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved
by men.
Philippians 1:18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in
pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice,
yes, and will rejoice.
6) There is joy in true Christian suffering.
Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute
you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in
heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Acts 5:41 So they departed from the presence of the council,
rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His
name.
Colossians 1:24-26 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you,
and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ,
for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a
minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me
for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been
hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to
His saints.
1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for
a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than
gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to
praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom
having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet
believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of
glory, receiving the end of your faith; the salvation of your
souls.
7) There is joy in God.
Isaiah 29:19 The humble also shall increase their joy in the
LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of
Israel.
Habakkuk 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will
joy in the God of my salvation.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say,
rejoice!
1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have
heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon,
and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life; the life was
manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you
that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us;
that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also
may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the
Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to
you that your joy may be full.
John 15:7-11 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you
will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My
Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My
disciples. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My
love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as
I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These
things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and
that your joy may be full."