1. Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com

2. Biblical Passages:  Romans 14:17-18 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. “  John 10:10 - “... I have come that they [His sheep] may have life, and have it to the full.”  1Thessalonians 5:16 - “Be joyful always”  Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com

3.  Defined as “active good will”, that which seeks the highest good of others.  Should be the “universal motive” for all that we do (1 Cor 16:14)  Greek Word “Chara” – “joy, gladness, delight”  Used 60 times in the OT  Closely related to the Word “Charis”  The joy of the Lord is enduring. (Neh 8:10) Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com

4.  Joy is a consequence of faith. – confident trust. Phil 1.25  Joy is also the result of obedience. Conversion stories.  Joy is based upon forgiveness  Joy also comes from Christian fellowship  Joy comes from Christian Service-the highest form of joy. Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com

5. A failure to remember those things graciously given us which make for joy in our lives can explain why some Christians do not have the degree of “joy” (gladness, delight) they should have. Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com

6. “BEING JOYFUL IS NOT ENOUGH, HOWEVER, WE SHOULD CONTINUALLY BE GROWING IN JOY. IT IS A CONTRADICTION FOR A CHRISTIAN WHO PROFESSES TO BE A CHILD OF THE ONE AND ONLY GOD—who created the universe and who governs it for His glory and the good of His people—TO WEAR A GLOOMY COUNTENANCE. IT IS A PRACTICAL ATHEISM FOR IT IGNORES GOD AND HIS ATTRIBUTES.” Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com

7.  Happiness depends on what happens; joy does not. O SWALD C HAMBERS  Happiness is a feeling. Joy is an attitude. A posture. A position. A place. T IM H ANSEL  If you have no joy in your religion, there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere. B ILLY S UNDAY  Joy is magnified when shared. T IM H ANSEL  Joy is not in things; it is in us. R ICHARD W AGNER  Joy is that deep settled confidence that God is in control in every area of my life. P AUL S AILHAMER Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com

8. “Joy is distinctly a Christian word and a Christian thing. It is the reverse of happiness. Happiness is the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy has its springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jeus gives that joy. He had joy, singing its music within, even under the shadow of the cross.” S AMUEL D ICKEY G ORDON (1859–1936) Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com

9. 1) Sin in our lives 2) Misplaced Confidence 3) God’s discipline 4) Experiencing Trials of Faith Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com

10. 1) SIN IN OUR LIVES Psalm 51:10-14 - “ (10) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (11) Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. (12) Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (13) Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. (14) Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.” Psalm 32:3-4 – “ (3) When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. (4) For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” (Selah) 2) MISPLACED CONFIDENCE “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord !” – Philippians 3:1 Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com

11. 3) GOD’S DISCIPLINE › Hebrews 12:6, 11 › “because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” › “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” 4) EXPERIENCING TRIALS OF FAITH › Job 1:21 - "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.“ › Lamentations 3:32 – “Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.” Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com

12. 1. Get comfort from God’s Word ›T›The scriptures: the Holy Spirit will use to produce joy in our lives. (Romans 15:4,5, 13) 2. Confess and forsake sin (Psalm 32:2-4) 3. Trust in God ( Romans 15:13) 4. Take a long-range view of life ›B›Because our names are written in heaven 5. Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Th 5:18) ›P›Pleasant or unpleasant, we are to be thankful all the time. Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com

13.  THE CHOICE IS OURS! › Joyful Christian or Joyless Christian?  It is our privelege and duty to be joyful.  To be joyless is to dishonor God and to deny His love and His control over our lives.  To be joyful is to experience the power of the Holy Spirit within us, and to say to a watching world, “our God reigns!” Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com

14. (17) For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (18) because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.” Romans 14:17-18 Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com

15. MAKE A CHOICE TODAY! Metro Batangas Christian Church http://mbcconline.wordpress.com