Christian Reasons for Joy
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Date written: 9 February 1997
SUBJECT: Happiness
TITLE: Christian Reasons for Joy
PROPOSITION: The Christian has much in which to rejoice because of his 1) Past, 2) Present, 3) Future.
OBJECTIVE: Each hearer should be able to quote Philippians 4:4 and state why his Past, Present and Future give him reason to rejoice!
Aim: To encourage the brethren by outlining why the Christian has much to rejoice about.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Phil.4:4
2. About the Text:
1) Paul was in a jail cell.
2) Yet he wrote to rejoice always.
3) The Christian can do this in any situation if he will focus upon his identity in Christ.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: The Christian has much in which to rejoice because of his . . .
I. Past
1. Christ
1) Luke 2:10 “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
2) Luke 18:37-38 “And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.”
3) Luke 24:52 “And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.”
2. Repentance
1) Luke 15:7 “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
2) Luke 15:10 “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
3) 2 Corinthians 7:9a “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance. . . .”
3. Salvation
1) Luke 10:20 “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
2) Acts 8:39 “And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”
3) Romans 5:11 “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”
II. Present
1. Truth
1) Matthew 13:44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”
2) 1 Corinthians 13:6 Love rejoices in the truth.
3) 3 John 4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
2. Persecution
1) Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
2) Acts 5:41 “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name”
3) James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;”
3. Fellowship
1) Romans 15:32 “That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.”
2) 2 Corinthians 7:13 “Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.”
3) Phil. 2:2 “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”
III. Future
1. Full Joy
1) Words of Jesus; John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
2) Prayer; John 16:24 “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
3) Words of Encouragement; 1 John 1:4 “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”
2. Hope
1) John 4:36 “And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.”
2) Phil. 2:16 “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”
3) Matthew 25:21 “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
4) John 16:22 “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”
CONCLUSION:
1. The Christian has much to rejoice over.
1) His past is filled with joy.
2) His present is filled with joy.
3) His future is filled with joy.
2. Invitation