A Merry Heart

A Merry Heart

Proverbs 17:22

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine..."

· I have two goals for this message.

1. That you will leave our church with a merry heart.

2. That you will maintain that merry heart through the whole week, no matter what circumstances you face.

· A merry heart is a joyful heart.

· We are joyful on the inside because of what God is doing and because of who He is.

· We are joyful to a point of singing, even when circumstances are not what they should be, or what we want them to be.

· Some people want to always be happy.

· The joyful or merry Christian isn’t always happy with the happenings surrounding him, however, he finds joy in Christ in spite of the happenings.

· This proverb states that a merry heart is good for us like a medicine.

· A medicine often soothes.

· A merry heart soothes us and anxiety is reduced.

· A merry heart also soothes our attitude so that we respond properly to people.

· A medicine often reduces pain.

· A merry heart reduces the pain of hurt feelings, failed expectations and misunderstandings.

· A medicine also makes one feel better, especially when infection is removed.

· A merry heart makes us feel better about the situations with which we are confronted.

· How do I receive a merry heart?

· What is a merry heart like?

· Here are six qualities of a merry heart:

I. A Merry Heart Is A Heart At Peace.

A. The peace of conversion

[Isaiah 59:2] But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

[Isaiah 53:5-6] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

[Romans 5:1] Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

B. The peace of confession

[Psalm 66:18] If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

[1 John 1:9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

[Psalm 32:5] I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

C. The peace of concentration

[Isaiah 26:3] Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

(True peace comes from the Lord, focusing on Him.)

II. A Merry Heart Is A Heart Of Praise.

[Lamentations 3:22-23] It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

23. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

[Psalm 34:1] I Will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

[Psalm 100:1-5] 1. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

[Psalm 103:1-2] 1. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

[Hebrews 13:15] By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

III. A Merry Is A Heart Of Prayer.

[Philippians 4:6-7] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

[1 Peter 5:7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

IV. A Merry Heart Is A Heart Of Practice.

A merry heart practices obedience.

[John 14:15] If ye love me, keep my commandments.

V. A Merry Heart Is A Heart With Purpose.

The problem with many is that they have no purpose for living.

[Micah 6:8] He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?