“ Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing steadfastly in prayer; ” Romans 12:12

“ Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing steadfastly in prayer; ” Romans 12:12

“ Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing steadfastly in prayer; ” Romans 12:12

“ Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing steadfastly in prayer; ” Romans 12:12

The Joyful Life is based on Hope Many have wrong concept –Matter of personal temperament –Matter of circumstances

The Joyful Life is based on Hope How can that be when being joyful is enjoined upon us all? –It is a command! –1 Thess. 5:16 “ Rejoice always ”

The Joyful Life is based on Hope How can that be when being joyful is enjoined upon us all? –It is a command! –Phil. 4:4 “ Rejoice in the Lord always, Again I will say rejoice! ”

The Joyful Life is based on Hope How can that be when being joyful is enjoined upon us all? –It is a command! –Even when times are rough – 1 Pet. 4:13

1 Peter 4:13 “ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ”

Joyful Life is based on Hope True Joy is able to Rise Above the Circumstances of Life... –Hebrews 10:34a “ for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods... ”

Joyful Life is based on Hope True Joy is able to Rise Above the Circumstances of Life... –1 Peter 1:6 “ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials. ”

1 Peter 1:3-5 “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, … ”

1 Peter 1:3-5 “ … 4 to an inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ”

Key to Joy is “Hope”... “ rejoicing In Hope ” It should be easy to see how hope is the source of joy –It was the strong hope of the Hebrews that gave them joy despite the seizure of their property

Hebrews 10:34 “ 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 “ 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 “ 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. ”

1 Peter 1:5-6 “ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ”

1 Peter 1:5-6 “ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ”

1 Peter 1:5-6 “ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ”

To be Joyful, we must have Hope! If Christians are not joyful, it is because they are not full of hope! If they spent more time thinking on the hope we have as Christians, joy would automatically follow!

Hebrews 11:1 “ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ”

Romans 10:17 “ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ”

Patient in Tribulations "patient" –Means more than simply enduring, forbearing –It also takes in the thought of activity despite the hardship It is continuing to do good, regardless of the trials Not just sitting there, refraining from doing something bad

Patient in Tribulations "tribulations" –These could be trials suffered for the cause of Christ –Or those common to all Sickness Death

Key to Patience is “Joyful Hope”... Can be illustrated in several ways –The Athlete –The Pilgrims –The College Student

Key to Patience is “Joyful Hope”... The Early Christians –Why did they endure persecutions, pressing on in their faithfulness to Christ? –The joyful hope of their inheritance in heaven!

Hebrews 10:34 “ 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 “ 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. ”

Key to Patience is “Joyful Hope”... This explains why some Christians do not remain steadfast when things get rough –They do not have the "joyful hope" necessary –And why not? Their minds are so preoccupied with worldly things!

Our Lives will be as Hopeful, Joyful, and Patient, as they are Prayerful “ Continuing steadfastly in prayer ” is Essential! –The relationship between prayer and the joyful life is implied elsewhere in the Scriptures

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

For in proper prayer … we are constantly reminded of … –Our HOPE –The REASON for our hope –The OBJECT of our hope

“ Pray Without Ceasing! ” Is this Possible? –Not if we mean formal words of supplication and petition –But prayer does not always have to be with formal words

1 Chronicles 5:20 “ And they helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him. ”

1 Chronicles 5:20 “ And they helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him. ”

“ Pray Without Ceasing! ” Prayer can also be: –A mental attitude of devotion –An unspoken reference to God in all that we do

Are our lives as joyful and productive as they should be? Then let God's Word sink into our hearts " Continue steadfastly in prayer "

Are our lives as joyful and productive as they should be? Do this, and we will more likely " rejoice in hope " and be " patient in tribulations "!