Joy 050506 Cell
"In Him Our Hearts Rejoice!"
Some stereotypes of Christians:
- fuddy duddies
- boring killjoys
- unhappening
Definition of joy:
- different from happiness
- happiness is dependent on external factors whilst joy exudes from within
What does God say about joy and Christians?
- last year's camp theme was on the abundant life.
- God does desire us to live our lives to the full, not in sorrow and depression, but joyfully.
- Biblical examples:
> angels proclaiming a msg of joy at Christ's birth. (Luke 10:21)
> David danced before the Lord in joy.
> Israelites came before God with joy in religious festivals.
> beauty in nature and love in relationships stimulate our joy as they reflect the invisible qualities of God.
Read Psalm 33:1-11
- all of us are called to sing to the Lord in praise
- relationship between praise and joy> praise is a natural outflow of joy
- but we are not happy and it is hard to praise the Lord all the time
Read Psalm 33:20-22
- hope and joy
- the source of our hope is the steadfast character of God, a secure promise that never wavers
- from this hope, springs out joy> even when everything falls apart, we can still be joyful
So, what is this hope that we have?
Read 1 Peter 1:3-9
- we are promised an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade
- it is kept in heaven for us, who through faith are shielded by God's power
- the hope is this is a major reason that Christians at the time facing severe persecution could remain joyful in Him
Why does God sometimes allow Christians to suffer? (v7-9)
- to strengthen their faith
- will result in greater praise, glory and honour when Christ is revealed
- Examples:
> Job - Read Job 1
> in the midst of his suffering, he still said:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."
> Minfeng played Blessed be your Name on the guitar. haha ;)
Shared about various ways we can retain a joyful faith in difficult times and in our every day lives.
Let's make Joy our focus for this week and practise ways we can choose the Spirit's way over our human ones.
God bless ya! (:
Some stereotypes of Christians:
- fuddy duddies
- boring killjoys
- unhappening
Definition of joy:
- different from happiness
- happiness is dependent on external factors whilst joy exudes from within
What does God say about joy and Christians?
- last year's camp theme was on the abundant life.
- God does desire us to live our lives to the full, not in sorrow and depression, but joyfully.
- Biblical examples:
> angels proclaiming a msg of joy at Christ's birth. (Luke 10:21)
> David danced before the Lord in joy.
> Israelites came before God with joy in religious festivals.
> beauty in nature and love in relationships stimulate our joy as they reflect the invisible qualities of God.
Read Psalm 33:1-11
- all of us are called to sing to the Lord in praise
- relationship between praise and joy> praise is a natural outflow of joy
- but we are not happy and it is hard to praise the Lord all the time
Read Psalm 33:20-22
- hope and joy
- the source of our hope is the steadfast character of God, a secure promise that never wavers
- from this hope, springs out joy> even when everything falls apart, we can still be joyful
So, what is this hope that we have?
Read 1 Peter 1:3-9
- we are promised an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade
- it is kept in heaven for us, who through faith are shielded by God's power
- the hope is this is a major reason that Christians at the time facing severe persecution could remain joyful in Him
Why does God sometimes allow Christians to suffer? (v7-9)
- to strengthen their faith
- will result in greater praise, glory and honour when Christ is revealed
- Examples:
> Job - Read Job 1
> in the midst of his suffering, he still said:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."
> Minfeng played Blessed be your Name on the guitar. haha ;)
Shared about various ways we can retain a joyful faith in difficult times and in our every day lives.
Let's make Joy our focus for this week and practise ways we can choose the Spirit's way over our human ones.
God bless ya! (:
posted by greeeeeeenx at 9:55 PM
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