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TITLE: Aim for
Joy
TEXT: Philippians 2:16-18
PROPOSITION: Joy is not circumstantial, but faith-based.
QUESTION: How?
KEY WORD: Suggestions
SCRIPTURE READING: Same
INTRODUCTION:
- Samuel Shoemaker – “The surest mark of a Christian is
not faith, or even love, but joy.”
- The word appears 218 times in the Bible.
- Happiness = temporary, dependent on circumstances
- Happiness is not enduring, lasts until the next trial or
failure occurs
- JOY is not dependent on circumstances. No matter what
life throws at you, you can have joy because you are in Christ.
- Here are some suggestions for having more joy in your
life - - -
How to have a joyful life:
- Don't take yourself so
seriously; nobody else does.
- Givers are more joyful
than takers. (Acts 20:35)
- Enjoy the little things
of life - there are so many to choose from. (birds, butterflies, children
on a playground, etc.)
- Focus on the
possibilities of tomorrow rather than the defeats of today.
- Recognize that your
ultimate joy comes from knowing you are a child of the King. You are
assured of eternal life without pain, suffering, or despair.
- Joy does not depend on
circumstances that fluctuate from day to day. It is grounded in the
assurance of God's love.
- Focus on joy when
undergoing trials. Paul, who was tested, and tortured, 31 times talked
about joy. He knew there would be trials, disappointments, threats, pain, and
suffering. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials
(James 1:2).
- Joy is a deep inner
peace that transcends temporary feelings of happiness.
- Joy comes from Jesus,
not from your journey in life. He is the ultimate companion and friend who
will never leave you or forsake you.
- Joy is experienced in the
fullest when you take risks and stretch your faith. The joy of the Lord
is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Look beyond your circumstances with an
expectant heart knowing that you will have sufficient courage from Christ
(Philippians 1:20).
- Don't let worry or fear
steal away even a moment of your joy. The temporary struggles and pain you
experience are just that - temporary.
- There is a natural joy that
comes from knowing the final chapter of the book - you are His. Your
time on earth is like a drop of water in a huge lake. The real issue has to do
with where you will spend eternity. If your heart and mind are set on eternal
issues, then your joy comes from knowing that the foundation of your faith is
secure, no matter what circumstances come your way.
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