1. The Joy of Being a Faithful Christian Philippians 4:4

2. Matthew 13:46 Difficulties in Being Joyful in the Lord Unable to see beyond the restrictions of God’s word: can’t feel free. Difficult being joyful when they see the sin in their lives: discouraged. Try to reach for Christ, but godliness and maturity seem so far away: grow weary. Difficulty letting go the things of the world.

3. Joy in seeing from where we have come. Eph. 2:1-6: dead in trespasses and sins, but made alive. Eph. 2:1-6: dead in trespasses and sins, but made alive. Eph. 2:12: Without God in the world. Eph. 2:12: Without God in the world. Eph. 4:17-19: Futility of mind, darkened understanding, ignorant, blind. Eph. 4:17-19: Futility of mind, darkened understanding, ignorant, blind.

4. Joy in seeing from where we have come. To say a blind man is blind is simply a statement of his physical condition. God gives us a description of our spiritual condition. We can take joy that that condition is removed in Christ! Eph. 4:20-24

5. Joy in Forgiveness Without Christ we are in sin. Without Christ we are in sin. Without Christ we have no way of overcoming sin. Without Christ we have no way of overcoming sin. To be forgiven in Christ brings great joy—Acts 8:39; 16:34 To be forgiven in Christ brings great joy—Acts 8:39; 16:34 But this is just the beginning! But this is just the beginning!

6. Joy in Truth and Simplicity To those who see this, God’s word is not a burden, but a lifeline to pull us out of the muck! To those who see this, God’s word is not a burden, but a lifeline to pull us out of the muck! John 6:45; 8:32. John 6:45; 8:32. It is a light to our feet: Ps. 119:105 It is a light to our feet: Ps. 119:105 The World is a spiritual mire of human reasoning and speculation 2 Tim. 4:3-4; Col. 2:28, 23; Rom. 1:21-23

7. Joy in Spiritual Growth Many wait to become Christians because they think they have to perfect now. Many wait to become Christians because they think they have to perfect now. On the contrary, we cannot be made perfect without Christ. On the contrary, we cannot be made perfect without Christ. We come to Him poor and wretched and He lifts us up and helps us to grow. We come to Him poor and wretched and He lifts us up and helps us to grow. – It starts with a new birth (John 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:23). – As babes, we grow (1 Pet. 2:1-2). – Each step we take brings greater joy (Gal. 6:4).

8. Joy in Peace Not the peace of the world (John 14:27). Not the peace of the world (John 14:27). Peace with God (Rom. 5:10). Peace with God (Rom. 5:10). Peace with brethren (Eph. 4:1-6). Peace with brethren (Eph. 4:1-6). Peace of heart (Phil. 4:7) Peace of heart (Phil. 4:7) – Free from turmoil of sin. – Free from prodigal living in the world. – Peace and comfort in God’s eternal promises.

9. Joy in Eternal Hope What can we look forward to in the world? What can we look forward to in the world? – An attractive plot of ground? – Life without God → Eccl. 9:5-6 But for the faithful there is so much more! But for the faithful there is so much more! – Glory beyond compare (Rom. 8:18). – 1 Cor. 15:50-58; Matt. 6:21

10. Joy in FAITHFULNESS Only those who build their houses upon the words of Jesus can know this joy. (Matthew 7:24-27) Faithfulness: full of faith—faith perfected by works (James 2:22). Only those who do the will of the Father can know this joy. (Matthew 7:21-23)

11. Conclusion God offers this joy to all men. God offers this joy to all men. But we must be willing to let go of the passing pleasures of this world in order to appreciate the eternal joy in Christ. But we must be willing to let go of the passing pleasures of this world in order to appreciate the eternal joy in Christ. Faithfulness is worth it! Faithfulness is worth it!