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The Joy of Christianity

The Joy of Christianity. Theme : No matter how difficult your situation may be, you can still be happy as a Christian. Acts 16:25-34. Introduction. No doubt, faithful Christians encounter many trials as they endeavor to follow Christ. COUNT the COST of discipleship.

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The Joy of Christianity

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  1. The Joy of Christianity Theme: No matter how difficult your situation may be, you can still be happy as a Christian. Acts 16:25-34

  2. Introduction • No doubt, faithful Christians encounter many trials as they endeavor to follow Christ. • COUNT the COST of discipleship. • Be faithful until death. • Endure the wrongs of this life.

  3. Introduction • In spite of all the toils and persecutions a faithful servant may endure, there is no greater joy than being a Christian because... • You know you’re saved. • You know your brethren are there for you. • The peace of God is within you.

  4. The Joy of Knowing You’re Saved • God sent His Son to assure that mankind could have this great joy. (Luke 2:8-11) • Those saved through the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will have great joy. • You know you’ve been delivered from the bondage of sin. (Romans 6:17, 22,23) • When you’re free from sin, you have divine protection. (Psalm 5:11; Romans 8:28)

  5. The Joy of Knowing You’re Saved • Don’t be lulled into a false sense of joy. • Too many think they know they’ve been saved because theyfeel saved.(Acts 26:9-11) • This false sense of joy is NOT based on the revealed truth.(2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

  6. The Joy of Knowing You’re Saved • To truly have this type of joy: • One must know the message of truth.(Romans 10:17; John 8:24) • Receive that message with joy. (Matthew 13:20) • Then, arise out of the watery grave of baptism (like the eunuch and the Philippian jailer), knowing he is in Christ.(Acts 8:38,39; 16:25-34)

  7. The Joy of Knowing Your Brethren Are There for You • You’re not alone! You’re a member of the body of the saved. (Acts 2:46,47; Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 12:25,26) • When you are hurting, your brethren are praying for you and sharing your burdens. • When you are being honored, your brethren are there rejoicing with you.

  8. The Joy of Knowing Your Brethren Are There for You • You forfeit this type of joy if: • You exclude members of Christ’s body from your life.(Galatians 6:1-5) • You do not strive to give yourself to helping others with their physical and spiritual needs. • This also holds true for nonChristians. • It is more blessed to give than to receive.(Acts 20:35) • Helping others is a great source of happiness.

  9. The Joy of Knowing Your Brethren Are There for You • You can have this type of joy: • If/when you allow your brethren (of this body) to become an integral part of your life. (Galatians 6:10) • If/when you strive to become an integral part of their lives.(1 John 3:17,18)

  10. The Joy of Having the Peace of God Within You • God’s peace will guard your heart/mind through Christ. (Philippians 4:6,7) • You must learn about this kind of peace (so you can know what it is). • You must receiveit. • You must put it into practice.

  11. The Joy of Having the Peace of God Within You • God’s peace will guard your heart/mind through Christ. (Philippians 4:6,7) • This kind of PEACE is the culmination of the previous two points. • The joy of knowing you’re saved. • The joy of sharing intimate fellowship with your brethren. • God’s peace MUST rule in our hearts. (Colossians 3:12-15)

  12. Conclusion • In spite of the toils, tribulations, and struggles you endure along the way, there is no greater joy than being a Christian. • Would you like this JOY to be part of your life? • Obey the gospel. • Be an active and faithful member of Christ’s body. • The joy will be there for the taking!

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