A0321_Rejoice in the Lord
Date: 8th July 2007 (Sunday PM) Ref: A0321
Place: Kambah P.S.
Title: Rejoice in the Lord
Text: & Joel 2:23
Illust: Whenever you are tempted to tell your troubles to other people, remember that half your listeners aren’t interested, and the rest are glad you’re finally getting what’s coming to you. – I want to look at Joy this evening
I. Smile
A. Misery of life
i. Lots of things that can go wrong, why I preached this morning about fear. We have to trust God. – Struggles of life, the day to day battle & conflicts of life they can rob you of your joy.
ii. Sin will rob you of Joy, exhaustion can rob you of joy, sickness can rob you of Joy. It is easy to be miserable.
When Daniel Webster wanted to give a person the impression that he remembered him, but could not recall his name or where they had met before, he would ask, “Well, how is the old complaint?” And nine times out of ten this worked. The person would begin to unfold some grievance that he had discussed with Mr. Webster on a former occasion, and thereby identify himself.
iii. We need more joy, lets face it we have been forgiven of all of our sin, we have the assurance that heaven is our eternal home, that God is on our side. – What is wrong
Jude 16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts;. (NKJV)
B. Need For Joy
i. We of all people should have joy. We need to have joy in our lives. – I would much rather be walking in Joy than in misery & sorrow
ii. Medically we know that to have humour & laughter in our lives has incredible health benefits.
Research has shown health benefits of laughter ranging from strengthening the immune system to reducing food cravings to increasing one's threshold for pain There's even an emerging therapeutic field known as humor therapy to help people heal more quickly, among other things. Humor also has several important stress relieving benefits.
Laughter reduces the level of stress and growth hormones. It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters. Laughter increases the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T cells. All this means a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical effects of stress.
iii. Conversely when we walk around in misery we reduce our level of health, have a weakened immune system and generally open ourselves up to sickness and more misery.
iv. Joy is even deeper than just a bit of humour or laughter therapy.
II. Source of Joy
A. Grounded in God
i. In both OT and NT joy is consistently the mark both individually of the believer and corporately of the church.
ii. It is a quality, and not simply an emotion, which should characterise your life. It is grounded upon God and is derived from him
Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (NKJV)
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (NKJV)
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. (NKJV)
B. Characterises Followers of Christ
i. The Gospels record the note of joy in connection with the proclamation of the Gospel of the Kingdom.
at Jesus’ birth
Luke 2:10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. (NKJV)
at the triumphal entry
Luke 19:37 Then, as He was now drawing near 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 they had seen, (NKJV)
and after the resurrection.
Matthew 28:8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. (NKJV)
Jesus is the source of Joy,
John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. (NKJV)
ii. In Acts joy marks the life of the early church.
It accompanies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the disciples,
Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)
the miracles performed in the name of Jesus,
Acts 8:8 And there was great joy in that city. (NKJV)
and the fact and report of the conversion of the Gentiles
Acts 15:3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. (NKJV)
iii. The Gospel is Good News that should bring joy to you & to others, the Early church, despite incredible persecution & opposition had constant joy, What about you?
III. Make Joy Your Portion
A. God has given you rain
i. This evening you need to make joy your portion. – Need to count your blessings. God has brought rain, blessing to your life. Will you appreciate what He has done?
Psalm 100:1 A Psalm of Thanksgiving. Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! (NKJV)
ii. Trust in God, rely upon Him
Job 22:21 “Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; Thereby good will come to you. (NKJV)
Psalm 5:11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. (NKJV)
B. Praise Him
i. Hard to express Joy internally. – Must be expressed. Paul & Silas are in prison singing hymns & praising God. – Do you want to have the victory, the joy? Praise God. – Praise Him in your circumstances; praise Him despite your circumstances. Body
Psalm 4:7 You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. (NKJV)
ii. Let’s have Joy, let’s walk in Joy, & let’s rejoice!