Where is the Joy?

Where is the Joy?

Introduction:

Make a list of the things that a person should experience because of a relationship with Jesus. What would you put on your list?

I. Joy should be a basic reality in the Christian life.

A. Jesus would bring great ______________________ – Lk. 2:8-14.

B. Jesus promised __________ would turn to ____________ – John 16:20

1. See also Acts 2; 5:40-41; 8:38-41; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16

2. What was the source of this great joy? ____________________!

II. Christians can look at their ________________ with thanksgiving & joy to God.

A. How is our perspective? Can we look back & see God at work in our lives?

1. Rom. 8:28

B. Paul could have concentrated on all that was bad.

1. But…chose not to look at that & took great joy in how God was there _______________ time for Him.

C. Think of the negative situations you have faced in life:

1. What if we have to face those problems ________________? Without God? Where would we be?

D. Truly, we can look at our past & rejoice. Remember happiness is a choice!

III. The Christian can look at his _______________ circumstances and rejoice.

A. We can move forward in our lives w/extreme confidence in God.

1. Phil 2:12 - Our confidence is not so much in _____ as it should be in _____!

B. God does not look for perfect people in whom to work. If He did, He would never work in anyone.

1. Rather…he looks for those who will allow Him to work in their lives.

C. God can work through us.

1. Through His _______________ – Heb. 4:13

2. Through ___________________ in life – Js. 1:2-3

3. Through ________________________ – 2 Cor. 7:6

IV. Christians can look at their __________________________ and rejoice!

A. This is all contingent upon a healthy _________________________- with God!

B. Phil. 1:9-11

1. We must make a commitment to grow in love, knowledge, & discernment.

2. grow in Christian character

3. Grow in fruitful and productive lives.

C. To experience true joy – the focus must be taken off of _____________ & turned on to ___________________-!

Conclusion:

A. How much joy exists in everyday life because of our faith in the resurrected Jesus?

B. Do you possess the joy that comes through Jesus?

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Where is the Joy? Introduction: Make a list of the things that a person should experience because of a relationship with Jesus. What would you put on your list? I. Joy should be a basic reality in the Christian life. A. Jesus would bring great ______________________ – Lk. 2:8-14. B. Jesus promised __________ would turn to ____________ – John 16:20 1. See also Acts 2; 5:40-41; 8:38-41; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16 2. What was the source of this great joy? ____________________! II. Christians can look at their ________________ with thanksgiving & joy to God. A. How is our perspective? Can we look back & see God at work in our lives? 1. Rom. 8:28 B. Paul could have concentrated on all that was bad. 1. But…chose not to look at that & took great joy in how God was there _______________ time for Him. C. Think of the negative situations you have faced in life: 1. What if we have to face those problems ________________? Without God? Where would we be? D. Truly, we can look at our past & rejoice. Remember happiness is a choice! III. The Christian can look at his _______________ circumstances and rejoice. A. We can move forward in our lives w/extreme confidence in God. 1. Phil 2:12 - Our confidence is not so much in _____ as it should be in _____! B. God does not look for perfect people in whom to work. If He did, He would never work in anyone. 1. Rather…he looks for those who will allow Him to work in their lives. C. God can work through us. 1. Through His _______________ – Heb. 4:13 2. Through ___________________ in life – Js. 1:2-3 3. Through ________________________ – 2 Cor. 7:6 IV. Christians can look at their __________________________ and rejoice! A. This is all contingent upon a healthy _________________________- with God! B. Phil. 1:9-11 1. We must make a commitment to grow in love, knowledge, & discernment. 2. grow in Christian character 3. Grow in fruitful and productive lives. C. To experience true joy – the focus must be taken off of _____________ & turned on to ___________________-! Conclusion: A. How much joy exists in everyday life because of our faith in the resurrected Jesus? B. Do you possess the joy that comes through Jesus? C. I N V I T A T I O N