Category: Joy
Subject: Joy
“Shouted with a Great Shout”
The book of Ezra begins with the return of a remnant of Judah to Jerusalem. The king of Persia, Cyrus, made the proclamation that allowed the return. He wrote, “go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem” (Ezra 1:1). More than 40,000 Jews returned, and restored worship as they began laying the foundation of the temple. Continue reading ““Shouted with a Great Shout””
Paradoxical Emotions
The apostle Paul expressed a number of conflicting emotions that were a constant part of his work as an apostle. For example, he wrote about his feelings toward his unbelieving countrymen, saying that, “I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh…” (Romans 9:2-3).
However, in his letter to the Philippians he remarked upon his remembrance of them, “always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now…” (Philippians 1:4-5). Later in the same epistle he talked of his having learned, “in whatever state I am, to be content” (4:11). He also remarked upon the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” that is the blessing of all who give their troubles over to God in prayer (cf. 4:7).
While these emotions seem contradictory, they are the expressions of a child of God who sorrows for the lost, rejoices with the saved, and has learned to trust in his God.
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed — always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
May we all feel the same emotions as those expressed by Paul’s example.
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Joyful Expectations
Back in the early spring, there was so much uncertainty about the future. I truly thought that the COVID virus would impact our lives for only a short period of time. When we as a congregation began to talk about how to handle the circumstances, that was the question I was asking myself. How long? Three months? Six months? Never did I think we would be looking at over a year of limited social interaction, and compromises to ensure safe assembly. Some other congregations in other states and other places have yet to return to any semblance of a normal worship schedule.
Sermon: The Function of Hope
Sermon by Jeremiah Cox
Hope serves to supply us with joy, stability and focus. It motivates us to purity and steadfastness. Hope is the anchor of the soul!
Strange Things
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Peter 4:12).
Have you ever experienced mistreatment, and asked the question, “Why Me Lord?”
Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder
Why it should be thus all the day long
While there are others living about us
Never molested though in the wrong
~ Farther Along
The reality is that Christians do not ultimately belong here. The world is antagonistic towards our faith, and it is inevitable that on occasion their opposition will result in the “fiery trial” to which Peter alludes.
Regardless, we have reason to “rejoice to the extent that [we] partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed [we] may also be glad with exceeding joy” (vs. 13). So, our suffering really is not a strange thing at all, and is a cause for rejoicing!
“…And when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (cf. Acts 5:40-42).
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Sermon: Being a Child of God
Speaker: Tommy Davis
There is a great cause for joy when one is a child of God!
Sermon: Rejoice!
The default state of the child of God should be joy! We have so many reasons to rejoice in the fact that we belong to Him.
Sermon: The Beatitudes
Third in a series on the life of Jesus. A discussion of the Beatitudes, which begin Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1-12.
My Soul Shall Be Joyful in the Lord
“And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation” (Psalms 35:9).
The Psalmist rejoiced in the protection Jehovah afforded him from his enemies. “All my bones shall say, ‘Lord, who is like You, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?’” (vs. 10). While this protection certainly shows both the strength and mercy of God, it pales when compared to the spiritual protection He offers to all who name His name.
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).
We are so blessed to have God on our side. In this uncertain and ungodly time – where the faith of Christian is demeaned, and the degradation of morals has led to an epidemic of selfishness, anarchy and violence – we place our confidence in the Almighty. “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Fear God and serve Him. Rejoice in His salvation!
Sermon: The Joy of Serving the Lord
What are some things we can do to help us remember the joy of serving the Lord in a world full of darkness and sin?
The Path to Joy
The wise man of Ecclesiastes had it right in despairing of a contemplated life without God’s presence. “‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher; ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity’” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Life only has meaning if God is in the picture. Otherwise, it is without any lasting value or purpose. Men everywhere live out their short existence on earth without hope beyond the grave. Such an existence is truly vain. “One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever” (1:4).
Many of the problems we have with sorrow and despair come from this flawed perspective on life. Above all other things, we must recognize our purpose on earth is to serve God. If we do, we can with that realization have a happy and productive life, and after, a sure hope of eternal bliss. As the wise man concluded in his contemplation of life, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (12:13-14).
Sermon: The Joy of Fellowship
The lesson discusses the great joy that we have from fellowship with God, and our brethren in Christ. Some practical suggestions are made showing how to cultivate and rejoice in our love and affection for each other.
Sermon: A Heart Filled with Jesus
Speaker: Brantley Gallman
The lesson calls upon us to have a heart filled with Jesus, and describes what constitutes such a heart.
Sermon: The Joy of the Lord
Speaker: Armando Vera.
The lesson discusses four different perspectives about experiencing the joy of the Lord.
