Pastor Rick Jackson
Far too many Christians seem to endure their faith rather
than enjoying it. Some think God delights in the dour, somber, and pathetic
displays of sadness. That's NOT what the Bible teaches! Enjoy your faith as the
Bible says. What about when things go bad? Enjoy your faith as the Bible says. What
about when loved ones go to be with Jesus? Enjoy your faith as the Bible says. What about when people don't understand you? Enjoy
your faith as the Bible says. What about when people leave the church? Enjoy
your faith as the Bible says. What about "whatever" or "blah
blah blah" or "this or that"? Enjoy your faith as the Bible
says. God helping us, we can to rejoice in:
I. SALVATION
1. The Relationship with Him (Lk. 1:46-47, 10:20, Phil.
3:3)
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit
hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are
subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the
spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
2. The Fellowship with Him (1 Jn. 1:3-4)
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that
ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the
Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that
your joy may be full.
3. The Lordship of Him (Joel 2:23, Ph. 3:1, 4:4, 10)
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD
your God:
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same
things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last
your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye
lacked opportunity.
II. TRIBULATION
1. For His sake (Mt. 5:11-12)
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute
you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is
your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before
you.
2. For His work (Ph. 2:17-18)
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of
your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy,
and rejoice with me.
3. For Him (I Pet. 4:12-13)
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial
which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But
rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his
glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
III. EXPECTATION
1. God's leading (Mt. 2:10, 2 Jn. 4)
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great
joy.
I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in
truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
2. God's Working (Lk. 10:21, 19:37, II Cor. 7:7)
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank
thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from
the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for
so it seemed good in thy sight.
And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the
mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and
praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith
he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning,
your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
3. God's Glory (Jn. 15:8, Ps. 126:5-6)
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so
shall ye be my disciples.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth
forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with
rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
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