There is Pleasure in Serving the Lord!
Attention: Who enjoys pain? To seek pain is an odd thing…perhaps a sign of psychosis. The pursuit of pleasure is guaranteed in our constitution as a right given to us by our Creator. If we are honest with ourselves we must admit that pleasure seeking is one of the main things that motivates us.
Need: Before you become too defensive consider this. Could it be that God made us that way?
Text: KJV Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
I. Pleasure in Purity
a. Path of LIFE
i. God is Creator and Lawgiver
1. Life in obedience
2. Death in disobedience
ii. KJV Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
b. Examples of the consequences of illicit pleasure
c. God created everything, including our capacity to enjoy the things he has created
d. Don’t be deceived
i. Reject illicit pleasure
ii. Enjoy pure pleasure
II. Pleasure in Praise
a. Fullness of JOY
i. Joy and pleasure closely related
ii. Innate desire of humanity to worship
iii. Pleasure of fulfilling our purpose (significance)
b. Personal experiences of pleasure in praise
c. Science has proven: those who name things for which they are grateful are happier than those who don’t Does "counting your blessings" really help?
Posted on: April 14, 2008 10:34 AM, by Dave Munger
d. Bring the sacrifice of praise
III. Pleasure in Perpetuity
a. God is source of all pleasure
i. Heaven is created by the same God who made this earth
ii. Duration essential to determining worth of pleasure
b. Example of short lived pleasure (drug dealer)
c. Sacrifice in order to serve the Lord pays off
i. KJV Proverbs 20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
d. KJV Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Visualization: Imagine no longer looking at religion as a duty to be dreaded. Rather, you can live a life filled with pleasure in serving the Lord!
Action: Seek pleasure in serving the Lord!
Appeal: There is pleasure in serving the Lord, but, there is torment in rebelling against the Lord. Cease from all rebellious attempts to find pleasure outside of God. Find real joy, meaning, and pleasure in serving the Lord.
