Sermon Central
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Where Is The Joy?
Contributed by David Scudder on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: Every human heart cries out for joy, but few ever find it. Relationships crumble because there is no joy. Family fights begin when joy is missing. God made us to be happy, but we have lost our way. In our text Jesus shows us the way to joy, so let�s loo
Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NAU)
When the wonderful glory of Jesus Christ becomes real to us, then we will endure whatever comes our way because we are looking past the temporary problems toward the eternal joy that is already ours.
16:24 C. Make Christ’s joy the goal of your life "ask and you will receive"
David prayed that we would experience God’s joy. Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You. (NAU)
When David sinned he asked God to restore his joy. Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit. (NAU)
We must be willing to fight for joy!
Colossians 1:10-11 10 walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously (NAU)
1 John 1:4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. (NAU)
CONCLUSION: Focusing on Christ’s joy is the only way we can, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 NAU)
Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy (NAU)
C. S. Lewis gave us the following insight:
"Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition, when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." [The Agony of Deceit by Michael Horton, Editor, Moody Press, 1990, p. 4910,000 sermon illustrations. 2000 (electronic ed.). Dallas: Biblical Studies Press.]
WHEN I MET CHRIST, I FELT THAT I HAD SWALLOWED SUNSHINE. E. Stanley Jones [Morgan, R. J. Vols. for <2002- > have accompanying CD-ROMs. Nelson’s annual preacher’s sourcebook.; 2007 Edition (80). Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson Publishers.]
