Philippians 3:1-3; 4:4 (NKJV)

Chap 31 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit,[a] rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

Chap 44 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Abundance of JoyPhilippians 3:1-3; 4:4

Abundance of Joy• It is time for us to once again pause

and consider our theme for 2014

• The Abundant Life theme derives from John 10:10

• Jesus wants us to have an abundant life as we are here upon this earth, and has given us the tools to have it

Abundance of Joy• Our focus this year is on the things

that God has blessed us with that will make our lives fuller

• Many of the blessings we have, but we may often fail to notice them or appreciate them as we should

• One such blessing is the blessing of joy

Abundance of Joy• Joy should be a word that characterizes

all Christians (Gal. 5:22; I Thess. 5:16)

• However, some look at the world we live in and wonder how we can have joy

• The question then becomes, “What determines our joy?” as well as “What does God offer that produces joy?”

Abundance of Joy• 1. God’s Blessings

– One of the greatest sources of joy for God’s people are His blessings

– Hannah rejoiced in the Lord after He blessed her with a child (I Sam. 2:1)

– The Israelites rejoiced on several occasions due to God’s goodness (II Chron. 7:10; Ezra 6:22; Neh. 12:43)

Abundance of Joy• 1. God’s Blessings

– God continues to bless us today (Js. 1:17)

– We enjoy special blessings found only in Christ (Eph. 1:3)

– All of these blessings should give us joy in our Christian walk

Abundance of Joy• 2. Salvation

– If we never received another good thing from God, this should be enough to cause joy in the Christian

– “My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation” (Ps. 13:5)

– Many rejoiced in the salvation of God (Hab. 3:18; Zeph. 3:14-15)

Abundance of Joy• 2. Salvation

– Jesus told His disciples to rejoice “because your names are written in heaven” (Lk. 10:20)

– There was rejoicing following salvation in Acts 8:39 & 16:34

– Peter said the joy of our salvation is “inexpressible” (I Pet. 1:8-9)

Abundance of Joy• 3. Word of God

– God’s own words should produce joy in our lives as well

– “…Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jer. 15:16)

– Job declared that he treasured God’s word (Job 23:12)

Abundance of Joy• 3. Word of God

– The Psalms gladly declare how wonderful God’s word is

– Psalm 19:10; 119:72, 97, 111

– God’s word brings us joy because of the promises and salvation that are found within its pages

Abundance of Joy• 4. Persecution

– That persecution would bring joy always seems like an odd thought

– However, it is what persecution produces and its reward that brings joy

– Jesus said “rejoice and be exceedingly glad” when persecuted because of the reward (Matt. 5:12; Lk. 6:23)

Abundance of Joy• 4. Persecution

– The apostles rejoiced “that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41)

– Hebrews 10:34 speaks of those who “joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods”

– We also think of James 1:2

Abundance of Joy• 4. Persecution

– Joy comes because there is a product that follows those trials

– Peter said we should “rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings” (I Pet. 4:13)

– Yes, even persecution for the Lord’s sake can bring joy

Abundance of Joy• 5. Hope

– The hope that goes along with our salvation (based on God’s promises) should also bring joy

– Paul mentions that we rejoice in hope both in Romans 5:2 and 12:12

– Just as hope itself is a blessing, the joy it brings is a blessing too

Abundance of Joy• 6. Lost become found

– The Bible also speaks of the joy that comes when the lost are found

– There are 3 separate examples given in Luke 15

– There are many around us who are lost, and there is great joy in helping those lost to become found

Abundance of Joy• 7. God

– As Christians, we should find joy simply in God

– Those who put their faith and trust in Him should rejoice (Ps. 5:11)

– The mere presence of God should bring about joy (Acts 2:28)

Abundance of Joy• 7. God

– Paul said we rejoice in God because of what He has done for us (Rom. 5:11)

– Paul carried the theme of joy in his letter to the Philippians

– He reminds them repeatedly and says “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (4:4)