Experiencing Gods Peace Message 4

Experiencing Gods Peace

Message 4

Rejoice

Me:

1. Quiet time

a. I am reaping the benefit.

i. I have not done a quiet time until I started pastoring Grace.

ii. I knew people had done it but I just seem to have the time.

iii. It’s quiet, it’s relaxing, it’s a place that I have grown. It’s positive.

iv. The most important is my personal relationship with Jesus.

b. My theme verse for my quiet time.

i. Psalm 118:24 (NLT) — 24 This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 NLT

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

ii. The very fact that God has given us another day is a great thing to rejoice about.

iii. However, it’s not always easy.

We:

When lemons can’t make lemonade.

a. Joy robbers.

i. The theme of Philippines is “Joy”

ii. It doesn’t take a genius to understand we all face bumps in the road.

Negative Thinking

i. Self-doubt

ii. Focusing on what's wrong rather than what's right

iii. This can drain the joy from our lives.

iv. This will hit home to many here this morning.

Unforgiveness and Resentment

i. Are you holding a grudge?

ii. Is there bitterness over the way you have been treated?

iii. Has your soul or heart resided in a dark place?

iv. It’s like a cancer that robs the joy from our souls.

Comparison and Envy

i. Do you know this passage?

Exodus 20:17 (NLT) — 17 “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”

Exodus 20:17 NLT

“You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”

iii. Why would God add that to the 10 commandments?

iv. Because comparison is the theft of joy!

v. DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE ON SOCIAL MEDIA!!!

vi. Seeking validation and measuring our worth based on external factors will steal our joy.

Material possessions

i. You will always need the latest.

Busyness and Stress

i. What I love about vacations.

ii. I don’t have to do anything.

iii. Life can get so hectic.

iv. Hurry is the death of prayer.

Sin and Guilt

i. Then some preacher points it and you feel even worse.

ii. Living with unconfessed sin or feeling distant from God can hinder the experience of His joy and peace.

God:

Not God’s plan

a. Rejoice, rejoice!

i. Philippians 4:4 (NIV) — 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4 NIV

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

ii. Paul was shouting it from the roof tops.

iii. It’s the same Greek word.

iv. To enjoy a state of happiness and well-being

v. How can we do that with all this other crap we have in our lives?

How can we say this verse with a glad heart?

vi. Psalm 118:24 (NLT) — 24 This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 NLT

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

vii. It seems an impossible task.

You:

How does a Christian find real joy?

Build a relationship with God.

i. For me it’s a quiet time.

ii. Find what works for you.

iii. But it must include worship, prayer, study.

iv. Also seek God's presence, guidance.

v. Tap into an understanding of His love.

Faith and trust.

i. Trusting in God's plans and promises, even during difficult times, can bring a profound sense of joy.

ii. It’s no accident that these things are happening.

iii. James 1:2 (NLT) — 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

James 1:2 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

Gratitude and Contentment

i. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude!

ii. Focusing on what you have.

iii. Don’t focus on what you don’t have.

iv. We have a world full of greedy people.

Serve others.

i. Jesus said he came to serve and not be served.

ii. He knew the secret of happiness.

Community and Fellowship

i. Connecting with other believers.

ii. Some here have made lifelong friends.

iii. Sharing life with fellow Christians can bring encouragement, accountability, and a sense of belonging.

Living according to God's Principles

i. We serve a God of grace and mercy.

ii. Striving to live a life aligned with God's principles, such as honesty, forgiveness, humility, and love, contributes to a clear conscience and inner joy.

Just imagine:

Finding Peace

a. Rejoice I’ll say it again, Rejoice.

i. You have the greatest gift.

ii. You have some tools that will help you experience the peace of God.