DID SOMEONE STEAL YOUR JOY OR DID YOU MISPLACE IT?

LUKE 2:8-10

Pastor Rick Jackson

From September of 1978 until May of 1991 I taught school at Tennessee Temple High School in Chattanooga, Tn. Occasionally I would have a student accuse another student of stealing a pen. The conversation was often humorous and it was all I could do to keep from laughing. Usually the end result was that the student had lost his pen and the other student found it, or that the other student had bought one just like it. Convincing a 7th grader of this was not always easy. Oftentimes the "wronged" pupil would come to me later in the day and sheepishly confess they found their pen in their locker and thank me for not accusing their friend.

Are you missing your joy? Did someone steal it from you or did you just misplace it? Strange as it may seem, no-one but you can steal your joy! The Devil can't, and if the Devil can't I guarantee you no human can steal your joy... at least, not without your full permission! So where is your joy? Did you ever have it? Where have you left it? How can you get it back?

1. There is Joy in knowing the Saviour- Jesus! [Lk. 2:10-20, 24:44-53]


Following the ministry of Philip - Acts 8:8 And there was great joy in that city.

2. There is Joy in Serving Jesus [II Chr. 30:21-26, Neh. 12:26-43, Ps. 126:5-6, Acts 15:3, II Cor. 8:1-5, Philemon 1:7]


3. There is Joy in Suffering for Jesus [Lk. 6:22-23, Acts 5:40-42]