Real Joy

 

Intro: Are you missing the joy in your life because you are only focusing on being happy? The next time someone asks, “Are you happy?” you should tell them, “Sometimes I’m happy, sometimes I’m sad, but I’m always joyful in the Lord.”

I. You may ask “what do I have to be joyful about?” First & foremost, we have joy in the fact God loves us so much He paid the price for our sin with the life of His Son Jesus Christ & through Him we have eternal life. We also find joy by being with one another. Being together, in church and even in our homes. We can do things like tell stories, share memories, talk about our family, & many other things. We can have joy because God invites us to take all our cares to Him in prayer and leave them with Him. 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV) casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

II. The Bible has many things to say about godly joy. Psalm 5:11 (NKJV) ¹¹  But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. In John 15:11 we read were Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” This is God's will for you!

III. Even when we are put through hard times we still have joy with the Lord. The apostle Paul probably went through more hardships than anyone in the Bible except for Jesus. But he had joy. Joy that could not be taken away. Many of the Books he wrote were written in prison. Paul was locked up when he wrote Philippians. He was imprisoned but Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Here he is in prison telling us to rejoice. If Paul can find reason to rejoice in times like this we can do the same. Godly joy cannot be taken away from us! Life has times of hardship & sorrow, but through anything we can rejoice & be joyful in our Lord!

Invitation: The only way to have true joy is if you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. You must confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you. If you are sincere, He won't turn you away! Then you will know true joy as you live in Him!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill each one reading this with Your joy. Fill them with Your Spirit and hold them close to You. Give them the strength, comfort and encouragement they need for each day. Let them experience Your love and joy in a special way. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen!

Overcoming Unbelief

 

Scripture Text Mark 9:14-24

Introduction: Webster defines unbelief as lack of belief. We in the church would describe it as lack of faith in God. Abraham is considered the father of faith because he believed God, and for his belief in God it was counted unto him for righteousness. (Romans 4:1.)
Mark 9:14-24.¹⁴ And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. ¹⁵ Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. ¹⁶ And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?” ¹⁷ Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. ¹⁸ And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” ¹⁹ He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” ²⁰ Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. ²¹ So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. ²² And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” ²³ Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” ²⁴ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” ²⁵ When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” ²⁶ Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. A. Unbelief is one of the biggest strongholds a believer will encounter. Why? Because the stronghold of unbelief is not so readily identifiable and it is personal. First, it can be easily hidden by an outward display of emotions or participation. Second, because it takes a confession from the person to admit that they do not believe God. Many people, not only the saved, but the unsaved claimed to believe in God, but do not believe God. There is a big difference in believing in something or someone and believing the truthfulness of the system or person. Take for example the American political system, many of us believe in democracy but do not believe the politicians. Many Christians today suffer from the same syndrome, they say they believe in Him, but do not believe Him. Unfortunately, because of the stronghold of unbelief they go thru this life unfulfilled and never really reach their full potential. We believe God for salvation (eternal life) but often question if he will keep us or supply our every need. One must understand why this stronghold is so dangerous, is because it takes you out of a faith walk with God. It leads you to rely on your own means or others, thus opening the doors for pride, idolatry deception, etc. to take root in your life. (1). First thing you must do is recognize that God is greater than any problem you encounter and change your thought pattern by:

(1). Believing God for who He says He is. The Supreme Master and Ruler of the universe.
B. Believing God can do what He says he can do. He cannot lie!
C. Believing you are who He says you are. 1 John 3:1 (NKJV)Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God.

(2). Second renew your mind: Romans 12:2 (NKJV) ²And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Praying God’s word (scripture) out loud, in this manner you are breathing, speaking and hearing faith. It is a release of the spirit of faith. (2 Corinthians 4:13). ¹³ And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak. Speaking God's word increases faith, by creating confidence in Him, rather than your ability to believe.

(3). Third, Pray continuously: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV) pray without ceasing,
This brings a break through. It is God's will that we be free from strongholds of every kind. Galatians 5:1 (NKJV) Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. It keeps you in constant fellowship and communion with God.

(4). Fourth, study God’s word: It teaches us to have faith in God's word. Romans 10:17 (NKJV) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Reading God's word increases our confidence (trust) in Him. We trust what He said and who He is.

Invitation: First step to overcoming unbelief is to believe God's word concerning salvation. Romans 3:23 (NKJV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 10:9–10 (NKJV) But if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Confess your sin to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life and if you mean business, you will be saved. Then you will become a child of God!

Blessings of the Believer

 

Scripture Text

Psalm 36:7-9

Intro: We who are children of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are the most blessed people on earth. Some envy the wicked, but they are not blessed of God. Psalms 1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

I. There is security in the Lord. Psalm 36:7 (NKJV) How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.                                                        A. His unfailing love endures forever. We have the Security of a merciful, loving, kind, caring God. (Psalm 57:1) Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. God’s loyal love is precious, because humans can take refuge in the Lord like chicks taking refuge under their mother hen’s wings. If we are in God’s will, nothing can touch us without His permission.

II. There are abundant provisions. Psalm 36:8 (NKJV) They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.                                                A. The fullness of God’s house. The psalmist here uses the imagery of the temple to say that believers enjoy the provisions of God’s house. (Isaiah 55:1-2) ¹ "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; and you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come; buy wine and milk Without money and without price. ² Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. God invites people to come to Him. The blessings God gives are available without cost. Salvation is a free gift of God; it refers to spiritual redemption and physical deliverance. Both are intended here. The Lord asks how people could be interested in other things besides Himself as He is the only One who can bring genuine satisfaction. Throughout all history people have tried to find satisfaction through many things other than God.

III. There is life in the Lord. (Psalm 36:9a) For with You is the fountain of life; A. Jesus came for this purpose. John 14:6 (NKJV)Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the (life.) No one comes to the Father except through Me. Understanding, joy, and abundant life come from the Lord, our Source. (John 10:10b)

IV. There is light in the Lord. (Psalm 36:9b) For In Your light we see light. A. The light of the Lord overcomes darkness. John 8:12 — Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." Jesus lights our way through the darkest of times. His Spirit guides us.      2Cor. 4:6 — For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion: So in contrast with the corruptions of the wicked, an obedient believer’s life is characterized by security in the Lord, abundant provisions, life, and understanding in God’s presence. This is the promise of God for all His children.

Invitation: If you are enjoying these provisions of the Lord you should give thanks right now. If you are not enjoying all these provisions of the Lord, now is the time to correct that. Simply confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life. Do it now!