Nehemiah 8:10 Charles Lin 11/13/2016

Happy Vs. Joy Happy Joy External Delighted, pleased, or glad Often depends upon our circumstances Joy Internal A state of well-being Depends upon our confidence

Can A Person Always Be Happy? Joyful?

Joy Of The LORD Neh 8: 9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Background Jews had returned to Jerusalem from 70 years of foreign captivity in Babylon (Ezra)

Background Cont. They rebuilt the Temple and the walls around Jerusalem

Background Cont. Ezra the priestly scribe read the Holy Scripture ( Neh 8:4-5) They were profoundly grieved after realizing how much they strayed from the Will of God (Neh 8:9)

Joy Of The LORD Neh 8: 9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” .

Joy Of The LORD Is Your Strength Gladness of heart Remains even amidst the suffering Phil 1:18 And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice Grapes become wine True contentment that comes from faith in Jesus Christ Joy produces strength

Can A Person Always Be Joyful? Joy Promised Rom 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit Sources of Joy John 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete Fruit of the Spirit Gal 5 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control

Joy Blockers Sins Worries of the World Satan’s Lies

Joy Blocker 1 - Sin Gal 6 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction Rom 6:23 the wages of sin is death

Overcome Sin - Repent 2 Ch 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness

Joy Blocker 2 - Worries of the World Worry is like a rocking chair—it's always in motion but it never gets you anywhere Prov 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart Mk 4:19 worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful

What Are You Busy With?

Overcome Worries of the World Heavenly Father knows your needs Matt 6 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life Turn over your worries Matt 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest 1 Pet 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (NLT)

Overcome Worries of the World Prayer and thanksgiving Phil 4 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus 1 Thess 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

Joy Blocker 3 - Satan’s Lies Examples of lies You have so many faults and weaknesses, you’ll never be able to successfully live the Christian life You have messed-up so many times, God is not going to continue to forgive you You are a spiritual loser You are ugly and stupid You will never amount to anything You __________________________________________________________

Overcome Satan’s Lies You Are Loved New is here Armor of God Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us New is here Gal 2:20  I’ve been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me Armor of God Eph 6 10-17 Belt of truth; breastplate of righteous; gospel of peace; shield of faith ; helmet of salvation; sword of the Spirit

Cry Out To The LORD Ps 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Ps 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth

Shout For Joy Ps 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy Ps 20:5 May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God Ps107:22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy

Keys To Joy Of The LORD Overcome Sins Overcome Worries Repent Overcome Worries Heavenly Father knows Turn over worries Prayer and thanksgiving Overcome Satan’s Lies You are loved New is here Armor of God Cry out to the LORD Shout for joy

But if you look at Christ, If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest (Corrie Ten Boom )