Why Should Christians Have Joy? Part 1

Sermon- Why should Christians have Joy?

- A question comes up asking why Christians are supposed to be filled with Joy.

- Our obvious answer is, we’re filled with Joy because we’ve been redeemed from

sin & death, & reconciled back to God.

- People, however, want more than that.

- This morning I’m going to tackle the reasons we should be joyful & cheerful, & begin

a two part series that showcases 7 reasons we have Joy.

- Next week’s will also be part of our Veteran‘s Day message too.

- Let’s begin with Jesus’ desire for us.

John 15:8-11

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

- To be filled with the same joy Jesus had.

Q- How did Jesus have Joy?

- He knew the one in whom He served!

- Think about that while we pray.

Prayer

> a lot of people don’t like math, but I can give you the best mathematical equation I

have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails= 4 given!

- How about that, even in math you can find a reason to be happy.

- So now, even in life there are reasons we should be filled with Joy.

- I know I push the idea of we are always witnessing/evangelizing, even when we’re

not trying to, people are watching.

- That’s not always the best motivator to get people out of their dull drums.

- So Let’s get personal with it.

- It should be a great motivation that we are leading others to a saving knowledge of

Jesus Christ.

Q- But isn’t it great knowledge to know that you are saved, forgiven of all your sins?

A. Your sins are forgiven - Matthew 9:2

2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

- Jesus’ wards to this man, who was debilitated in a bed, were realize who is in control.

- It is He who stands before you, Jesus!

- He stands before all of us & says, be of good cheer; your sins be forgiven.

- Be joyful for one day you will be with Him, forever!

- The first reason for Joy, is what we’ve been given.

- Now that’s a free gift, directly given to us from God Himself.

- The second reason for Joy is actually attained from what we do.

- It’s called our faith.

Q- How many of us recognize, or remember history of the lady who had an issue of

blood for twelve years?

- This lady had faith, & her faith was honored

B. Your faith is honored- Matthew 9:22

- The moment she touched the hem, or the tzizit (the long tassel hanging down from

the corner of Jesus’ prayer shawl, or tallit)

- This tassel was also called the wings of the prayer shawl.

- Her faith rested on Malachi’s Words.

Malachi 4:2

2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

- She recognized Jesus is the righteousness resting under these wings.

- Listen,

B. Matthew 9:22

22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

- By her faith, she has Joy!

- One day all that we have believed in will be affirmed!

*- Now, Imagine with me what it would have been like for this lady to go out in the

throngs of people, trying to touch Jesus garment.

- Add to the moment that she is outcast amongst the people, because she would be

considered unclean because of this issue of blood.

- Not only was her faith a reason for Joy, but also what Jesus did with her fear.

- He took it away!!!

C. Your fears are banished - Matthew 14:27

- If we flip forward in Matthew to chapter 14, we read about the same emotion, fear.

- The Disciples are on the Sea of Galilee, rowing to Capernum that’s not but a little

more than 4 miles away.