1. the Joy of Serving the Lord Acts 8:5-8
There is joy in becoming a Christian.
(Acts 8:5-8), “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.”
After being baptized, the Ethiopian eunuch “went on his way rejoicing” (v. 39).
The Philippian Jailer “rejoiced” after his baptism (16:34).
Unfortunately, this joy often becomes diminished over time.
The trials and struggles of life continue, with the added persecution that comes because of our commitment to Christ.
These things can cause us to lose our focus, our zeal, and our joy.
What are some things we can do to help us remember the joy of serving the Lord in a world full of darkness and sin?
Based on an article by the same title written by Heath Rogers
Acts 8:5-8

2. The joy of… Knowing we are doing what is right Hosea 14:9; Eph. 2:10
The Joy of Knowing We Know We Are Doing What Is Right.
Serving the Lord is the right thing to do, and there is joy and satisfaction in knowing we are doing what is right, even if we are in the minority.
(Hosea 14:9), “Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.”
In serving the Lord we are laying a solid foundation for our lives
(Matthew 7:24-27), “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
We are preparing ourselves to be useful to others
(Titus 3:14), “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.”
We are doing what we were created to do!
(Ephesians 2:10), “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
This should bring us great satisfaction and joy.

3. The joy of… Knowing we are doing what is right Hosea 14:9; Eph. 2:10
Worshipping God Psalm 122:1; 95:1-2
The Joy of Worshipping God.
(Psalm 122:1), [Like David, we need to say], “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord’” (Ps. 122:1).
The joy of worship is not merely, or even primarily an emotional or reactionary experience.
It is a joy that is based in knowledge, reason and logic.
When we remember who God is and what He has done for us (despite our sins), we will enter into worship with joy in our hearts.
(Psalm 95:1-2), “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.”

4. The joy of… Knowing we are doing what is right Hosea 14:9; Eph. 2:10
Worshipping God Psalm 122:1; 95:1-2
Fellowship Acts 2:46; 2 Jn. 4; 3 Jn. 4
The Joy of Fellowship With Other Christians.
One of the greatest blessings of being a child of God is that we are not alone.
We are part of a spiritual family, and this family is intended to be a source of joy.
There is joy in our association with our brethren
(Acts 2:46-47a), “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people.”
There is joy in knowing others are walking in the truth
(2 John 4), [The apostle to the elect lady], “I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.”
(3 John 1:4), [to Gaius], “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
We rejoice when sinners are converted to Christ
When erring brethren are restored
There is joy in receiving help from our brethren
(Psalm 133:1), “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

5. The joy of… Leaving a good example Matt. 5:14-16 Phil. 2:14-15
Knowing we are doing what is right Hosea 14:9; Eph. 2:10
Worshipping God Psalm 122:1; 95:1-2
Fellowship Acts 2:46; 2 Jn. 4; 3 Jn. 4
The Joy of Leaving a Good Example.
We are to let our light shine so it can be seen by others
(Matthew 5:14-16), “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Some people may not appreciate our example, but others will benefit greatly from our godly example.
The time we spend serving the Lord, without grumbling or complaining, is setting a positive example for others.
(Philippians 2:14-15), “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world”

6. The joy of… Leaving a good example Matt. 5:14-16 Phil. 2:14-15
Investing in something eternal Cor. 9: Luke 10:20
Knowing we are doing what is right Hosea 14:9; Eph. 2:10
Worshipping God Psalm 122:1; 95:1-2
Fellowship Acts 2:46; 2 Jn. 4; 3 Jn. 4
The Joy of Investing in Something Eternal.
We want to make wise investments of our time and money.
Everything in this world will eventually perish
(2 Peter 3:10), “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”
We are not to labor for and lay up treasures that will perish on the earth, but that will endure to be enjoyed into eternity
(John 6:27), “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
We should be different from the people of the world
(1 Corinthians 9:24-27), “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
Our reason for rejoicing is found in eternity!
(Luke 10:20), [Jesus told his disciples], “rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

7. “…so that I may finish my race with joy
“…so that I may finish my race with joy.” Don’t get distracted or discouraged!
Conclusion
Acts 20:22-24
(Acts 20:22-24), [the Apostle Paul’s determination], “And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Conclusion:
The Lord is not going to force us to serve Him.
Neither is He going to force us to be happy while doing so.
It is easy to become distracted and discouraged.
The devil would love to see us walk away from the Lord, but we need to be like Paul and “finish our race with joy” (Acts 20:24).
Do you find joy in serving the Lord?