Are you happy? Where do you find the most happiness and joy and with whom?
What is the joy required?
The joy required of us is seldom found as a result of an agreeable set of circumstances but an inward joy springing up within us, irrespective of what our difficulties may be. It is a gift of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and is one of the principal consequences of the experience of salvation.
What is joy?
Gladness or delight – Matthew 5:12
Where does it come from?
It is all to do with heart – Psalm 16:8, 33:21, Acts 2:26, 46 and 14:17, Soul or Spirit – Luke 1:47 or the very innermost being (John 7:38)
It is a gift – Romans 15:13
Real Christian joy has God as its object. Psalm 9:2, 33:21, 149:1, God becomes our exceeding joy (Psalm 43:4)
Read Luke 1:46-53 and note how joy is focused on His power; His holiness and His mercy
Christian joy is connected to salvation – Isaiah 44:23 and Revelation 19:7
What are the things in your life that destroys your happiness?
True Christian Joy cannot be lost – John 16:22. It is everlasting – Isaiah 35:10; 51:11
How does joy express itself?
• Acts 2:46 – everyday things
• Ps 27:6 – Praise and thanks giving
• Ps 5:11 - Singing
• Neh 8:10 – Confidence in God
• John 16:24 – Confident prayer
• Rom 12:15 – Christian Fellowship
• 2 Cor 8:2 – Generous giving
What are the obstacles and impediments to Christian joy?
• Failure to progress in the faith – Phil 1:25
• Neglect of practical righteousness Rom 14:17
• Breakdown in loving one another – John 15:10-12
• Unbelief – Phil 1:25
• Disobedience – John 15:10-11
• The neglect of prayer – John 16:24
• Broken fellowship with God and His people – 1 John 1:1-7
• Unconfessed Sin – Psalm 51:3, 8, 9, 12
• All that grieves the Holy Spirit – Eph 4:30
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