0863. The Joy in Christ Jesus

The Joy in Christ Jesus

The Beauty of Joy (Neh_8:10).

Fullness of Joy (Joh_15:11).

Joy in the Word (Jer_15:16).

The Present Joy (Gal_5:22).

The Joy Set Before (Heb_12:2).

Joy in Soul Winning (1Th_2:19-20).

Saved with Joy (Isa_12:3).

Joy is the Christian's heritage. Joy is not a theme to be relegated to distant ages. Of course, there is "fullness of joy" at God's right hand, but there is joy down here, too.

The Book of Philippians is a treatise on the life of joy. This fact is the more striking when we remember that it was in Philippi that Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God. Thus, this message of the Book was exemplified in the one by whose hand the Holy Spirit wrote the Book.

By way of introduction, it will be helpful for the leader to read and to speak briefly of the fourteen occurrences of "joy" and "rejoice" in the brief Philippian Epistle.

Php_1:4 : "Making request with joy."

Php_1:18 : "Christ is preached * * I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice."

Php_1:25 : "Your * * joy of faith."

Php_1:26 : "Your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ."

Php_2:2 : "Fulfil ye my joy."

Php_2:16 : "That I may rejoice in the day of Christ."

Php_2:17 : "I joy, and rejoice with you all."

Php_2:18 : "Joy, and rejoice with me."

Php_2:28 : "That when ye see him (Epaphroditus) again, ye may rejoice."

Php_3:1 : "Finally, my brethren rejoice in the Lord."

Php_3:3 : "Rejoice in Christ Jesus."

Php_4:1 : "My joy and crown."

Php_4:4 : "Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice."

Php_4:10 : "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that * * your care of me hath flourished."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR