WELCOME TO THE

JACKSON STREET

CHURCH OF CHRIST

PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you,

that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

THE ABUNDANT

LIFE CHEERFULNESS

THE ABUNDANT LIFE

A. CLEAR CONSCIENCE,

B. COMMITMENT,

C. CONFIDENCE

D. & MISERY???

E. NO, CHEERFULNESS

F. "CHEER UP, THINGS COULD BE WORSE - SO I CHEERED UP & SURE ENOUGH THINGS GOT WORSE".

I. BECAUSE OF SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

A. PEACE - Phil 4:7 "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

B. HOPE - Rom 12:12 "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;"

C. EVERY GOOD GIFT - James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

I. BECAUSE OF SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

D. THINGS PREPARED BY GOD - 1 Cor 2:9 "But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.""

E. ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS - Eph 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,"

I. BECAUSE OF SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

F.LOVE - Rom 8:31-39 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. >>>

I. BECAUSE OF SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 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."

II. IN SPITE OF PROBLEMS A. Cheerfulness is not determined by

outward circumstances

B. Happiness does not depend on what happens outside of you but rather on what happens inside of you.

C. Acts 16:25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

II. IN SPITE OF PROBLEMS D. 1 Pet 3:14 "But even if you should suffer

for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.""

E. 1 Pet 4:12-13 "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."

II. IN SPITE OF PROBLEMS F. Mat 5:4-12 "Blessed are those who mourn. For they

shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart. For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

III. THE VALUE OF CHEERFULNESS

A. Prov 15:13 "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."

B. Prov 17:22 "A merry heart does good, like medicine. But a broken spirit dries the bones."

C. Prov 15:15 "All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast."

IV. THE SOURCEA. CONTENTMENT

1. Heb 13:5 "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you.""

2. 1 Tim 6:6-8 "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."

3. Phil 4:11-12 "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."

IV. THE SOURCEB. SUBJECTION TO GOD

1. Psa 128:1-2 "Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you."

2. Psa 144:15 "Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!"

3. Job 5:17 ""Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty."

CHEERFULNESSA. Eccl 11:9 "Rejoice, O young man, in your

youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment."

B. Rom 14:22 "Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves."

THE ABUNDANT LIFE?

A. CLEAR CONSCIENCE,

B. COMMITMENT,

C. CONFIDENCE

D. CHEERFULNESS

E. NEXT WEEK - COMPANIONSHIP

HAVE A CHEERFUL WEEK