Sermon 011997

Pr. 17:22                              A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine                                       1/19/97

                                                                                                                             ABCC

I.   Review (Joy & the Believer from Ps. 51:12a)                                                                  555

     A. Biblical joy begins with & continues after salvation (Rom 14:17)

     B. Sin, transgression & iniquity can rob believers of joy (v. 1b, 2) - wicked trio of evil!

     C. Only the Lord can restore His joy in the believer (v. 12a)

II.  Joy and the Believer’s Health

     A. The believer’s heart - place of resolve, will, determination, conviction

     B. A joyful heart - a heart with joy placed in it; joy that controls the outward disposition from within!

·        A saint who has a consistent disposition to thank & praise God with good reasons

  (1Th. 5:16-18) - your soul has been rescued, you’re God’s possession!

·        Past, present, future are secured by Christ (Lk. 10:20; Rom. 8:28, 38-39; Jn. 14:1-3)

     C. The cause of good healing - not perfect physical health, but rather a glowing outward appearance

            A joyful heart does not contribute to our natural physical deterioration, but contributes to longer life!

          1. For yourself

·        When you know all is well with your soul; Christ will never forsake you, etc. - medicine!

·        Laughter & rejoicing (Pr. 15:13a), the truth (Pr. 15:30), peace (Pr. 14:30a)

          2. For others (Pr. 15:30; 16:24; Phi. 2:18)

Þ     Though we’ve got trouble outside, there’s joy inside (Paul & Silas = Ac. 16:25; Peter & Apostles = Ac. 5:41; Jas. 1:2; 2Co. 4:16-18; Heb. 12:1-2)

A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine, pg. 2

III. Prolonged Depression and the Believer’s Health

     A. A broken/crushed spirit

·        Hypocrisy & pretense (Pr. 14:13)

·        Shame (Pr. 12:4b), Envy or Jealousy (14:30b)

·        Depression results from disobedience to God (Gen. 4:7a; Eph. 6:16)

     B. The cause of bone decay

          The bones provide stability for our muscular system, protect extremely vulnerable internal organs, is the factory for

            the blood in our bodies.  The decay of our bones critically affects our bodies.

It’s like a beautiful flower in the scorching sun that is withering without refreshing water.  Or it’s like a stubborn animal that has both food & water available, but refuses to eat or drink.

I hold before this congregation today joy & the good medicine of Christ or depression & discouragement which can destroy your soul & body - which will you choose?  How long will you go on in your state of depression, doubt, fear & unbelief?  How long will continue to make excuses for not coming to the Bread of Heaven/Fountain of Christ?  Will you repent & turn away from the depression & discouragement - thinking that your situation will never change; thinking that you have no hope, no joy!  Look at Christ today & hear His voice - hear His promises!  Yield to Jesus today.  Stop your wrestling & fighting against Him and surrender to the God of hope Who will fill you with all joy and peace in believing!