February 23 2014 The Choice To Rejoice
/The Choice To Rejoice
Galatians 5:22 – The fruit of the Spirit is joy.
Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice always in the Lord. I will say it again rejoice.
Three Reasons to Rejoice
1. We have hope.
Romans 5:1-2 – Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have gained access, by faith into this grace in which we now stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope.
2. God has a purpose.
Romans 5:3 – We rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance.
Verse 4 – And perseverance character, and character, hope.
James 1:2-3 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Verse 4 – Perseverance must finish its work, making you mature and complete, not lacking anything.
3. Understand God is with us.
Romans 5:11 - We all rejoice because of what God has done through our Lord Jesus Christ who has made us good friends.
Isaiah 43:2 – When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you, your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire you will not be burned.
Four Steps to Inner Joy
1. Develop the attitude of gratitude.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ.
Psalm 28:7 – My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.
2. Strengthen joy by giving.
Acts 20:35 – It is more blessed to give than to receive.
2 Corinthians 9:7 – God loves a cheerful giver.
3. Increase joy through service.
Mark 8:35 – For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospels will save it.
Ephesians 6:7-8 – Serve whole heartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not man, because you know the Lord will reward everyone whatever good he does.
4. Learn to share Christ with others.
Luke 15:10 – There is rejoicing in heaven when a person comes to faith in Christ.
Romans 10:1 – How I wish with all my heart that my own people might be saved how I pray to God for them.
Jesus said – I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm, I will come to you.
