2.  “He looks as though he was weaned on a pickle.” —Alice Roosevelt Longworth  Do you live a “joyful” life?  “The trouble with many men is that they have got just enough religion to make them miserable. If there is not joy in religion, you have got a leak in your religion.” (Billy Sunday) 2

3.  Does your relationship with God bring you joy or misery?  Can you join with Paul in Philippians 4:4?  Consider what Paul says about joy: Rom. 14:17; Gal. 5:22-23  You may have the wrong impression about joy.  “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” —A. Lincoln  Joy requires conscious effort, a CHOICE! 3

5.  Those of the world only experience joy when good things happen to them, not so with Christians! Jas. 1:2  How can we find joy in trials?!  Because it tests and refines our faith: 1 Pet. 1:6-9; 2 Cor. 4:16-5:11  Because it gives us an opportunity to develop patience, hope and faith: Jas. 1:2-3; 5:11; Job 1:20-22  We put our trust in God and look beyond the “here and now”: 1 Pet. 1:6-9; Heb. 11:13-16  We develop Christian character and strengthen our hope: 1 Pet. 1:3; Psa. 126:5-6; 1 Pet. 4:12-13 5 Joy Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

6.  Similar to joy in trials: Matt. 5:11  Jesus is the ultimate example in this regard: Heb. 12:2; 1 Pet. 2:23  How do we overcome persecution? Just like Jesus did! Lk. 6:22:23; 2 Cor. 4:17  The apostles provide a wonderful example of finding joy in persecution: Acts 5:40-42  The Lord’s “cheering section” is urging us on to victory! Heb. 12:1-2  Let’s follow Paul’s example: Acts 20:22-24 6 Joy Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

7.  Paul praised the Philippian saints: Phil. 2:2  What a joy to be able to associate with the best people on earth! 2 Pet. 1:1  Compare God’s people with people of the world…who do you want to associate with?  Fellowship with gospel preachers also a source of joy: Phil. 4:14-16, 17; 1:4-5 7 Joy Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

8.  John found joy in obedient brethren: 3 Jn. 3-4  Paul expressed similar thoughts: Col. 1:9-10; Phil. 1:25-26; 1 Thess. 1:6-7  The Psalmists expressed similar thoughts: Psa. 119:111-112, 131, 162  Jesus praised the church in Philadelphia for their obedience: Rev. 3:8  Drawing ourselves closer to God is always an occasion for joy! Jn. 8:31; 1 Jn. 2:5; Jn. 14:21, 23 8 Joy Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

9.  Isaiah expressed the joy of salvation: Isa. 12:2-3; Hab. 3:18-19  God has solved our most unsolvable problem! Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 3:23; 6:23; Matt. 16:26; Eph. 2:1, 5-6  We can see the “joy of salvation” by heaven’s response: Lk. 15:2-7, 8-10, 11-32  The Ethiopian eunuch experienced this joy: Acts 8:38-40; Matt. 13:44, 45-46 9 Joy Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

10.  All faithful Christians want to hear these words: Matt. 25:23  God promises us a “crown of righteousness”: 2 Tim. 4:6-8; 1 Thess. 2:19-20  Please read this week’s Words of Life.  Do you spend time contemplating the “joy” of heaven? Jn. 16:22; Jude 24-25 10 Joy Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

11. 11  Living the Christian life is the only way to experience true and lasting joy.  Even in the face of trials and persecution the Christian can know true joy! Isa. 26:3-4; Psa. 5:11-12; 16:11  And, most importantly, only the faithful Christian will experience the ultimate joy of eternal life!