REJOICE IN THE LORD

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. As God's people, we should be a happy. Psalm 35:9
      1. Rejoicing is commanded. Phil. 3:1; 4:4; 1 Thess. 5:16
      2. It is promised to God's people. Psalm 132:16
      3. Let's make a study of "joy," "rejoicing," "happiness," and  
         see if we can't be a more joyful and happy people.

I. VARIOUS KINDS OF JOY.
   A. Consider the joy experienced by the wicked.
      1. Is derived from foolish things. Prov. 15:21
         a. For example, to obtain a thrill by driving a car down a
            road at 120 miles per hour is sheer folly.
         b. The wicked rejoice in these kinds of quick thrills.
      2. Definitely, the joy of the wicked is short-lived. Job 20:5
         a. One can enjoy the pleasures of sin only for a season.
            Heb. 11:24-26
      3. The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes impresses upon our
         minds the vainty of seeking happiness from earthly things.
         Eccl. 2:10-11; 11:8
      4. The joy of the wicked should be turned into mourning. James
         4:8-9
   B. Consider the joy experienced by the righteous.
      1. It is a joy inexpressible and full of glory. 1 Pet. 1:8-9
         a. One must experience it to know of it.
         b. To describe to someone else the joy which we
            experience is very difficult.
      2. This joy is increased in the meek and lowly. Isa. 29:19
      3. This joy of the righteous is constant--not short lived. 2   
         Cor. 6:10
         a. Trials, persecutions, or hardships do not lesson the joy
            the Christian has.
         b. As a matter of fact, they can increase their joy. Matt.
            5:11-12; James 1:2; Heb. 10:34; Acts 5:41
      4. The joy of the saints is made full by:
         a. Abiding in Christ. John 15:10-11
         b. The love that we have for our fellow Christians. 2 Tim.
            1:4; Phil. 4:1
         c. Children who walk in truth. 3 John 4; Prov. 23:24
            (1) Any who are abiding in the faith, whether they be
                family or otherwise, bring happiness to all fellow
                Christians.

II. WHAT REASONS DO I HAVE FOR REJOICING?
   A. The reasons for the Christian to rejoice are many, but let's   
      look at specific verses which state reasons for rejoicing.
      1. Because of temporal blessings. Joel 2:23-24
      2. That our names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20 
      3. For salvation. Psalm 21:1; 1 Pet. 1:5-6
      4. For deliverance from bondage. Psalm 105:43; Jer. 31:10-13
      5. For divine protection. Psalm 5:11-12; 16:8-9
      6. For divine support. Psalm 28:7; 63:7 
      7. For the hope of glory. Rom. 5:2
      8. For the success of the gospel. Acts 15:3

III. WHAT CAN MAKE ME HAPPY?
   A. What is the source or power that brings happiness?
      1. God gives joy. Eccl. 2:26; Psalm 4:7-8
         a. We rejoice in God through Christ. Rom. 5:11
      2. Jesus Christ brings joy; it was part of the work of the
         Messiah. Isa. 61:3; Luke 2:10-11
         a. We rejoice in the Lord. Phil. 3:3
      3. Joy is to be found in the Holy Spirit. Rom. 14:17
         a. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22
      4. The Word of God brings joy. Neh. 8:12; Jer. 15:16; John
         17:13 
         a. To know and understand the Word of God brings great
            rejoicing in our hearts.
         b. This is a blessing, a great treasure, that we experience
            nearly every time we study the Word of God.
         c. The Word makes our hearts rejoice.
      5. The benefits of prayer brings joy. John 16:24
   B. Thus, through the Godhead, the Word of God, and prayer, we
      find happiness.
    
IV. EXHORTATIONS TO JOY, REJOICING.
   A. Let the righteous rejoice. Psalm 68:3; 32:11
   B. Let us serve God with gladness. Psalm 100:2-5
   C. Let us engage in all worship services with rejoicing. Ezra 6:22
   D. Let us rejoice in all of our undertakings. 1 Thess. 5:16-18
   E. Let us express our joy; ex. in song. James 5:13
   F. Let us promote joy in other people. 2 Cor. 1:24; Phil. 1:25
   G. Let us pray for joy in others. Rom. 15:13
   H. Let us rejoice and be happy for we have received manifold
      spiritual blessings. Isa. 61:10

V. THERE IS COMING THE GREAT ETERNAL JOY.
   A. Saints shall be presented to God with exceeding joy. 1 Pet.    
      4:13; Jude 24
   B. Entering the joy of the Lord will be the reward of saints at   
      the judgment day. Matt. 25:21
      1. Heaven is pictured as a marvelous place of happiness and
         joy. Rev. 21:4; Psalm 16:11
   C. Through faithfulness, we can finish our course on earth with   
      joy. Acts 20:24

Concl.
   A. Worldly people everywhere are looking for joy and happiness.
      1. They look for it in worldly pleasures and in material
         possessions.
      2. They look for it in all kinds of activities: employment,    
         sports, hobbies, etc.
      3. They look for it in friends, relatives, family, etc.
      4. The Christian does not spurn any honorable worldly reward,
         but recognizes the greater value in the spiritual.
   B. We rejoice not in the things of this world, but in the Lord. 
      1. As Nehemiah said, "...The joy of the Lord is our strength."
         Neh. 8:10
      2. And as David said, "My soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it
         shall rejoice in His salvation." Psalm 35:9
      3. And as Jesus said, "...Your heart shall rejoice, and your   
         joy no one will take from you." John 16:22
   C. The worldly do not remain happy long; they are never satisfied,
      but our joy is real, satisfying and lasting.

Chart #1
WHAT REASONS DO I HAVE FOR REJOICING?

1. Because of temporal blessings. Joel 2:23-24
2. That our names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20 
3. For salvation. Psalm 21:1; 1 Pet. 1:5-6
4. For deliverance from bondage. Psalm 105:43; Jer.
   31:10-13
5. For divine protection. Psalm 5:11-12; 16:8-9
6. For divine support. Psalm 28:7; 63:7 
7. For the hope of glory. Rom. 5:2
8. For the success of the gospel. Acts 15:3

Chart #2
EXHORTATIONS TO JOY, REJOICING 

1. Let the righteous rejoice. Psalm 68:3; 32:11
2. Let us serve God with gladness. Psalm 100:2-5
3. Let us engage in all worship services with rejoicing. Ezra 6:22
4. Let us rejoice in all of our undertakings. 1 Thess. 5:16-18
5. Let us express our joy; ex. in song. James 5:13
6. Let us promote joy in other people. 2 Cor. 1:24; Phil. 1:25
7. Let us pray for joy in others. Rom. 15:13
8. Let us rejoice and be happy for we have received manifold         
   spiritual blessings. Isa. 61:10