Sermon 011297

Ps. 51:12a                                           The Joy of Salvation                                            1/12/97

                                                                                                                             ABCC

I.   Joy and the Believer                                                                                                         554

     A. Every believer should have the Lord’s joy (Jn. 15:11; Rom 14:17; Gal. 5:22 = Holy Sp.!)

     B. Every believer should desire the Lord’s joy (v. 8)

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

·        Misery is the opposite of joy

·        Misery is knowing that you’ve offended God (v. 4) = broken God’s law

·        Misery is knowing that your sin is an open scandal in heaven (v. 9a)

·        Misery is knowing that sin has deceived you - you thought you could sin & maintain the joy of the Lord; maybe God won’t see or respond (Ps. 10:11; 2Sam. 12:12; Rom. 7:11)

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

·        We can/must ask (Mt. 7:7; Jas. 4:2c)

·        The Lord will restore it at His desired time & in His way (Ps. 84:11)

II.  Joy and Salvation

     A. Rejoicing & salvation (Is. 61:10; Hab. 3:18; Lk. 15:4-7; 10:20)

     B. Rejoicing whether sowing or reaping (Jn. 4:36-37) - joyful participation in the gospel work!

III. How the Believer’s Joy is Restored

     A. Prayer (Ps. 51; Jn. 16:24)

     B. Meditation on the scriptures (Jn. 15:11; 17:13; Ps. 1:2)

     C. Loving obedience to Christ (Gen. 4:7a; Jn. 14:21)

The Joy of Salvation, pg. 2

Prayer, Meditation & Obedience - this godly & biblical trio is the pathway to restore & maintain your joy!  Conclusion (1Pe. 1:6-9) - There is not true joy apart from Christ; no joy inexpressible & full of glory apart from Christ.  Christ fulfills every expectation; He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that you ask or think - but you cannot have Christ & His joy and hold on to your sin.  You must repent; you must turn away from your sin today - those secret sins that have deceived you.  The sins that made you think that God has not seen you & does not know what you are doing.  Ask Jesus for forgiveness today and if you are a Christian, ask Him to restore the joy of His salvation.  YOU MUST ASK - YOU CANNOT AVOID IT!

THE LORD’S SUPPER

There should be joy & thanksgiving in our hearts brothers & sisters because of the Lord’s salvation.  As we participate in the Supper of Remembrance today, would you consider the great blessing of being among the redeemed & the great price that was paid for your redemption?  Would you consider that Christ redeemed us that we might be a thankful people & experience His joy?  Consider Colossians 2:13-14.  Are there sins, transgressions or iniquities that are choking out the joy of the Lord; preventing you from being thankful; keeping you knotted up with a guilty conscience?  Confess them today, even now to the Lord so that you may come to the Table with joy & thanksgiving.