Modern Views of Joy

Lasting Joy comes from physical things 11 When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their eyes? 12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.

Lasting Joy comes from physical things 13 There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. 14 But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand. Ecclesiastes 5:11-14

Lasting Joy comes from worldly social scenes. 1. Drugs use (legal or illegal) 2. Sexual relations outside of marriage

Joyful Hope

Rejoicing in Hope for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Hebrews 10:34

Rejoicing in Hope Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

In patient tribulation 1. Being faithfully active despite hardships 2. It is continuing to do good, despite trials a. Not simply refraining from doing something bad

Continuing steadfastly in prayer 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Lessons For Us Today

We have reasons for hope, patience & prayer 1. Hope because there is more to look forward than the things of this world. 2. Patience because the reward awaiting the faithful is worth the hardship and the wait. 3. Prayer because this is how we communicate with God.

Joy can be found in all these things. But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 50:20

Joy can be found in all these things. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

Conclusion 1. The Christian must do their best to be joyful in this life. 2. When we think of things that are the opposite of joy many words come to mind. 3. To be joyful is to be positive the Christian cannot afford to be negative, especially before the world.