Tri-Annual Singing!
June 20, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Joy
Subject: Joy
Crown of Rejoicing
The apostle Paul greatly loved his brethren! In his first letter to the Thessalonians he had this to say, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1Thessalonians 2:19-20).
I am especially enamored with the phrase “crown of rejoicing.” Paul was not repeating himself. He had already said they were his “joy.” The great zeal and character that the Thessalonians had shown made him very happy. He was eager to see their faces, because their fellowship as brethren was so pleasant to him. He said he “endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire” (17).
This phrase, however is perhaps a bit more appropriately translated, “crown of pride.” The word crown (stephanos) is indicates a crown of victory! Reserved for Olympic winners, or emperors who had won a war. The word translated rejoicing (kauchesis) is used to indicate boasting (in a good sense) or glorying. Paul was proud of these brethren because of their “work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father” (1:3). He said, “so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth” (1:7-8). Consider: would the great apostle be as proud of you and me?
The Fruit of the Spirit
In Galatians 5 the apostle Paul describes the conflict between the lust of the flesh and the fruit that is developed in the child of God as we grow and mature, heeding the Spirit of God. Noting the works of the flesh first, (19-21), we will in this lesson describe and define the fruit of the Spirit, listed in verses (22-23). This is important, for in this context Paul assures us to, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (16).
Love
The Greek word agape is the word that Paul uses here. It is uniquely used in the New Testament to describe the highest expression of love for others. It is an unselfish love, motivated and informed as to what is best for others. For example, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). It is the type of love we should have for God (John 4:15); for our brethren (1 John 2); for our wives (Ephesians 5:25); and even for our enemies (Matthew 5:44). It is not surprising that this heads Paul’s list. A love for God and for man is the basis of God’s expectations for us as we serve Him (Matthew 22:36-40). Continue reading “The Fruit of the Spirit”
Sermon: Joy
A Discussion of the Joy that ultimately comes only through a relationship with Jesus Christ
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“That Your Joy May Be Full”
In John 15, Jesus begins in the chapter to use the allegory of the Vine and branches to establish both His help to His disciples, and their responsibility to faithfulness and fruitfulness.
In verse 11 of the text, he explains why He told them these things. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Two things to note here. First, Jesus has a great deal of joy to share. “Joy to the world, the Savior reigns” (Isaac Watts). His entire advent on earth was to do what was necessary for man’s reconciliation with God. This joy, if we abide in the Vine, is available to us!
Second, our joy can only be full if we have such a relationship with Him. Men fool themselves into thinking a life lived without our Lord can be a life equally full of happiness and joy. That is the devil’s lie! How can a life lived without God have the same value and joy? The very purpose of life, as established by wise Solomon, “Let us here the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
In John 17:13, Jesus prayed to His Father, “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”
“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?
