Subscribe to our PODCAST here.Joy of Being A Christian
Joy of Being a Christian
Intro.
A. Scientific research has show than laughter has a profound effect on virtually every organ of the body.
1. It is beneficial both physically and emotionally - comedy movies are shown in nursing homes to help the sick.
2. Statistics show that hostile people generally die younger than calm people. Does that surprise you?
B. The Bible teaches the same (Prov. 15:13; 17:22; Neh. 8:9,10 “And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites, who taught the people said to all the people, This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. The he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”) It is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22 ..”Love, joy..”).
C. Christians should be happy - and show it. Charles Spurgeon told his preacher students - “When you speak of heaven, let your face light up; let your eyes shine with reflected glory. But when you speak of hell - well, your ordinary face will do!”
D. Why should Christians rejoice and what may prevent rejoicing?
Body:
A. That your names are written in heaven (Lk. 10:17-20).
1. This joy is greater than miraculous power (which was temporary) (1 Cor. 13:8-10 - just as surely as the complete truth was revealed - miraculous gifts ceased, Jn. 16:13.).
2. Heaven rejoices when a sinner turns and his name is written in heaven (Lk. 15:1,7,10,32).
3. Christ’s forgiveness of publicans (tax-collectors were considered the scum of the earth by other Jews) - but Jesus spoke about them six times in Luke; every time in positive sense (Lk. 3:12-14; 5:27-32; 7:29; 15:1; 18:9-14; 19:1-10).
4. Contrast the Pharisaical attitude (Lk. 7:36-50).
a. Both debtors were in debt - could not pay
b. Realization of helplessness causes appreciation for forgiveness and prevents looking down one others who are in debt!
c. Not saying “go and sow wild oats, so you will have more appreciation for forgiveness”
but one who does not recognize his need cannot be helped. (Sin does not produce love but forgiveness does.)
B. That you are in God’s family (Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Jn. 3:1).
1. We have a loving Father (Mt. 7:9-11); never orphans (Rom. 8:37-39 death cannot separate us from His love).
2. We have an inheritance from being in the family (Rom. 8:16,17; 1 Tim. 4:8; 6:6).
3. We are in a family business that cannot fail (Lk. 2:49; 1 Tim. 3:15). The earth was cursed because of sin (Gen. 3:17) but there will be no more curse (Rev. 22:1-3).
4. The Bible is a letter from home (1 Cor. 2:9-13). Agnostic teacher “does anyone believe that stuff in the Bible?” Young student said “Yes.” Teacher said “I have read it and it made no sense.” Student: “that’s what you get for reading other people’s mail!” (Have you ever read a letter from someone else’s family? Was it interesting or did it make sense?)
C. That you have assurance of continual forgiveness (1 Jn. 1:7-9).
1. Our manner of life is walking in the light (truth), but we stumble on occasions. (If I have averaged one sin a day since becoming a child of God - I have committed 20,805 sins! But I live as though had committed none of them - because God forgives.
2. His way with us is to forgive (Mt. 18:21-34 the ten million dollar debt is mine against Him, the seventeen dollar debt is fellow man’s against me) - and it must be our way with one another.
3. We may remember the facts of sin - but not the guilt. Sometime we can forget that others have sinned against us, but we can always refuse to hold it against them!
D. Why do some not have joy?
1. Unforgiving spirit - of self and others.
a. A person who does not forgive himself will be overcome (2 Cor. 2:6-11).
b. A person who refuses to forgive others will not be forgiven (Mt. 6:14,15; Col. 3:13).
(A person cannot be happy with a chip on the shoulder - unforgiving, Lk. 15:28-30).
2. Lack of commitment to God and family.
a. Half-hearted commitment makes on miserable. “He has just enough religion to make him miserable.”
b. When Israel half-way obeyed God - their enemies came back again and again to enslave them. Half-hearted obedience brought half-way blessings.
c. Some are immunized - have a little dose of the real thing and never get the real thing.
d. Cannot serve two masters (Mt. 6:24; 10:38,39). (Fly-by-night relationships are temporary and do not bring long-lasting joy. A total commitment does.)
Concl.
A. The shortest verse in the English translation is “Jesus wept” (Jn. 11:35); the shortest verse in the Greek text is “rejoice always” 1 Thess. 5:16). Jesus did not only weep over the death of Lazarus, he wept over the sins of His people (Mt. 23:37).
B. Because Jesus wept (and died for our sins) - we can rejoice (if we die to sin, Rom. 6).
Intro.
A. Scientific research has show than laughter has a profound effect on virtually every organ of the body.
1. It is beneficial both physically and emotionally - comedy movies are shown in nursing homes to help the sick.
2. Statistics show that hostile people generally die younger than calm people. Does that surprise you?
B. The Bible teaches the same (Prov. 15:13; 17:22; Neh. 8:9,10 “And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites, who taught the people said to all the people, This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. The he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”) It is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22 ..”Love, joy..”).
C. Christians should be happy - and show it. Charles Spurgeon told his preacher students - “When you speak of heaven, let your face light up; let your eyes shine with reflected glory. But when you speak of hell - well, your ordinary face will do!”
D. Why should Christians rejoice and what may prevent rejoicing?
Body:
A. That your names are written in heaven (Lk. 10:17-20).
1. This joy is greater than miraculous power (which was temporary) (1 Cor. 13:8-10 - just as surely as the complete truth was revealed - miraculous gifts ceased, Jn. 16:13.).
2. Heaven rejoices when a sinner turns and his name is written in heaven (Lk. 15:1,7,10,32).
3. Christ’s forgiveness of publicans (tax-collectors were considered the scum of the earth by other Jews) - but Jesus spoke about them six times in Luke; every time in positive sense (Lk. 3:12-14; 5:27-32; 7:29; 15:1; 18:9-14; 19:1-10).
4. Contrast the Pharisaical attitude (Lk. 7:36-50).
a. Both debtors were in debt - could not pay
b. Realization of helplessness causes appreciation for forgiveness and prevents looking down one others who are in debt!
c. Not saying “go and sow wild oats, so you will have more appreciation for forgiveness”
but one who does not recognize his need cannot be helped. (Sin does not produce love but forgiveness does.)
B. That you are in God’s family (Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Jn. 3:1).
1. We have a loving Father (Mt. 7:9-11); never orphans (Rom. 8:37-39 death cannot separate us from His love).
2. We have an inheritance from being in the family (Rom. 8:16,17; 1 Tim. 4:8; 6:6).
3. We are in a family business that cannot fail (Lk. 2:49; 1 Tim. 3:15). The earth was cursed because of sin (Gen. 3:17) but there will be no more curse (Rev. 22:1-3).
4. The Bible is a letter from home (1 Cor. 2:9-13). Agnostic teacher “does anyone believe that stuff in the Bible?” Young student said “Yes.” Teacher said “I have read it and it made no sense.” Student: “that’s what you get for reading other people’s mail!” (Have you ever read a letter from someone else’s family? Was it interesting or did it make sense?)
C. That you have assurance of continual forgiveness (1 Jn. 1:7-9).
1. Our manner of life is walking in the light (truth), but we stumble on occasions. (If I have averaged one sin a day since becoming a child of God - I have committed 20,805 sins! But I live as though had committed none of them - because God forgives.
2. His way with us is to forgive (Mt. 18:21-34 the ten million dollar debt is mine against Him, the seventeen dollar debt is fellow man’s against me) - and it must be our way with one another.
3. We may remember the facts of sin - but not the guilt. Sometime we can forget that others have sinned against us, but we can always refuse to hold it against them!
D. Why do some not have joy?
1. Unforgiving spirit - of self and others.
a. A person who does not forgive himself will be overcome (2 Cor. 2:6-11).
b. A person who refuses to forgive others will not be forgiven (Mt. 6:14,15; Col. 3:13).
(A person cannot be happy with a chip on the shoulder - unforgiving, Lk. 15:28-30).
2. Lack of commitment to God and family.
a. Half-hearted commitment makes on miserable. “He has just enough religion to make him miserable.”
b. When Israel half-way obeyed God - their enemies came back again and again to enslave them. Half-hearted obedience brought half-way blessings.
c. Some are immunized - have a little dose of the real thing and never get the real thing.
d. Cannot serve two masters (Mt. 6:24; 10:38,39). (Fly-by-night relationships are temporary and do not bring long-lasting joy. A total commitment does.)
Concl.
A. The shortest verse in the English translation is “Jesus wept” (Jn. 11:35); the shortest verse in the Greek text is “rejoice always” 1 Thess. 5:16). Jesus did not only weep over the death of Lazarus, he wept over the sins of His people (Mt. 23:37).
B. Because Jesus wept (and died for our sins) - we can rejoice (if we die to sin, Rom. 6).