Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning and evening, Nov. 7, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
THINGS WHICH BRING JOY
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:1-4
Text: Philippians 4:4
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Introduction: Philippians 4:4 is not a suggestion; it is a command. We are commanded to experience a particular emotion: JOY.
That’s more easily said than done. However, it CAN be done, with God’s help, or He would not command us to do it.
I think the secret to having the right emotions is to think on the right things, as we are commanded in this very chapter in verse 8. I want to give you some things to think about today. These are things which help bring joy.
I originally wrote out these seven sources of joy in Feb., 1975. I was onboard the USS William V Pratt, finishing up a period in the Mediterranean Sea. The sailors on board had gone through Christmas in separation from their loved ones. Valentine’s Day was approaching. I brought this basic outline to saved people on my ship in a Tuesday night Bible study, Feb. 11, 1975, which also happened to be my 8th spiritual birthday. Many years have passed, but I still believe you can be joyful as you think on the following things:
I. THE POWER OF GOD BRINGS JOY
Acts 8:5-8 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
A. God’s power saves
B. God’s power strengthens
C. God’s power stirs
* When God blesses the preaching of His word, things happen!
* People either get glad, sad, or mad!
* They either get right, fight, bite, ignite, or get out of sight!
* A church is like a power plant. Every time you attend it, you shoiuld get either a charge or a shock!
II. THE PRESENCE OF JESUS CHRIST BRINGS JOY
John 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
John 20:20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
A. His presence in a Christian brings joy
* In the believer
* In other believers around him
B. His presence in a church brings joy
* Rev. 3:20
C. His presence in a conversation brings joy
* Let’s talk about Jesus!
* More about JESUS would I hear … !
III. THE PROMISE OF REWARD BRINGS JOY
Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
A. Salvation is received as a gift
B. Spirit-fulness results in godliness
C. Service to God brings rewards in glory
IV. THE PREACHING OF CHRIST BRINGS JOY
Philippians 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
A. HE is the one who came
B. HE is the one who was crucified
C. HE is the one who conquered death, hell, and the grave when He rose again
D. HE is the one who converts souls
E. HE is the one who is coming soon
F. HE is the one who COUNTS!
* You and I are not that important!
* HE, JESUS, is EVERYTHING!
V. THE PROSPERITY OF BELIEVERS BRINGS JOY
2 Corinthians 7:13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
A. Their submission to God’s word brings joy to us!
B. Their steadfastness in God’s work brings joy to us!
C. Their seeking of God’s will brings joy to us!
VI. THE PRESERVATION OF SCRIPTURE BRINGS JOY
Psalms 119:160-162 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. 161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. 162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
People who only believe in INSPIRATION and do not believe in PRESERVATION do not believe that we have a Bible today that is infallible and inerrant.
What a blessing it is to know that you have the word of God in your hands, and to know that it is the PERFECT, PRESERVED, POWERFUL, AND PURE WORD OF GOD!!!!! I say that because of some Bible-rejecting preachers who say they believe the King James Bible is the word of God but who also believe it has errors in places like 1 John 5:7; Acts 8:37; Rom. 8:1 and other places.
A. I rejoice in holding God’s perfect word!
B. I rejoice in hearing God’s perfect word!
C. I rejoice in hiding God’s perfect word in my heart!
D. I rejoicing in heeding God’s perfect word in my life!
E. I rejoice in heralding God’s perfect word to others!
VII. THE PARDON OF GOD BRINGS JOY
Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
A. Because of the hell that was my penalty
B. Because of the heaven that is now my promise
C. Because of the heartache that is past!
* Gone, gone, gone, gone,
YES, my sins are gone!
Now my soul is free and in my heart’s a song!
Buried in the deepest sea,
YES, that’s good enough for me!
I shall live eternally,
Praise God, my sins are G-O-N-E, GONE!!!!