Category Archives: Joy

Psa 16 – The secret of happiness (sermon notes)

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Text: Psalm 16

Today (11th April, 2021) is a time of thankfulness (for the life of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh), and of hopefulness (as Covid restrictions are further eased tomorrow).

But what about happiness?  Has anyone ever discovered, or will anyone ever discover, the secret of real and lasting happiness?

I want to introduce you to someone who has discovered the secret of happiness.

Happy, though in danger, v1

v1 – ‘Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.’…

The joy of Jesus Christ

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Jesus Christ’s joy originates in God

From his intimate relationship with his Father and the Spirit Lk 10:21 pp Mt 11:25-26 See also Isa 11:2-3; Mt 3:16-17 pp Mk 1:10-11 pp Lk 3:22; Mt 12:18; Isa 42:1; Ac 2:28; Ps 16:11

From his awareness of God’s purposes Heb 12:2 See also Jn 8:29

Jesus Christ’s coming brings great joy

His birth Lk 2:10-11 See also Mt 2:10; Lk 1:44; 2:20,28-32

His resurrection and ascension Jn 16:20-22 See also Mt 28:8-9; Lk 24:40-41,50-53; Jn 20:20

Jesus Christ gives joy to his people

He brings joy to his disciples Jn 17:13 See also Isa 61:1-3; Jn 15:11; Ro 12:12; Php 1:26

Being in his presence is likened to the joy of a wedding Mt 22:1-10 See also Mt 9:14-15 pp Mk 2:18-19 pp Lk 5:33-34; Mt 25:1-10; Jn 3:29; Rev 19:7,9

To know Jesus Christ brings great joy to others Lk 15:7 See also Mt 8:11; Lk 15:10,22-24,31-32; Jn 8:56

(Dictionary of Bible Themes, Martin Manser)…

How adversity can promote fruitfulness

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The Spirit often effects greater fruitfulness in our lives in the presence of adversity, Jas 1:2-4; Rom 8:28:-

  1. Love matures when there are people who hate us, Mt 5:43-48.
  2. Joy deepens in adversity, being directed to eternal things and to him who never changes, Ps 63:3; Hab 3:27-28; Lk 6:20-23; Jn 16:33; Acts 16:25; 2 Cor 12:10; Jas 1:2.
  3. Peace is magnified in difficult circumstances. We have peace with God, Rom 5:1; peace from God, Php 4:7; and we are peace-makers, Mt 5:9.
…

Thoughts on thankfulness

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The class was set a task to write a short paper on “Things I Am Most Thankful For.” One small boy put at the top of his list, “My glasses. They keep the boys from punching me and the girls from kissing me.”

‘As the Lord loves a cheerful giver, so likewise a cheerful thanksgiver.’ (John Boys)

‘The Christian is suspended between blessings received and blessings hoped for, so he should always give thanks.’ (M.R. Vincent)

Bible commentator Matthew Henry, after being robbed, wrote in his diary: ‘Let me be thankful.…

Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing

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‘The Christian life oscillates between these two poles — the overflowing joy of the “already” redeemed (Ephesians 1:7) and the tearful yearning of the “not-yet” redeemed (Ephesians 4:30). Not that we ever leave the one or the other in this life. We are always “sorrowful yet rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10).’

John Piper…

Habakkuk 3 – I will rejoice – sermon notes

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Habakkuk 3

Psalm 65:9-13 – God has given us many material blessings. And we have as many reasons to be thankful.

But what if there is nothing? What then?

Ch 1 – Habakkuk’s complaint. The Lord’s reply. Habakkuk’s further complaint. 2:1 – He sets himself to watch and wait for what God will say.

Ch 3 – Nothing in Habakkuk’s circumstances has changed. He is still facing an appalling prospect: the ravages of war, the horrors of invasion, the devastation of resources, the removal of all basic necessities.…

Celebrating the Cross

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Reflection on the death of Christ and its achievement, so far from being a sombre experience, actually leads to a type and degree of celebration that can be found nowhere else.

For the cross brings us into a new relationship with God.  This relationship is marked by boldness, love and joy.  And these do not belong merely in the interior experience of the individual believers, but are to distinguish our public worship.

As W.M. Clow points out:-

‘There is no forgiveness in this world, or in that which is to come, except through the cross of Christ. …

Quotes on joy

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’The Stoic bears, the Epicurean seeks to enjoy, the Buddhist and Hindu stand apart disillusioned, the Muslim submits, but only the Christian exults.’ (E. Stanley Jones)

’The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows; but God is the substance.…