Restore the Joy of My Salvation! By David Turner

Christians Should Rejoice Philippians 4:4–7 (ESV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We Should look like this.

But many Christians look like this?

Or this

We can lose our joy. Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. If David could lose his joy, can’t we? How can we restore the joy of our salvation?

God’s Children should be filled with Joy Joy means: – To be glad – To take pleasure in – To rejoice over – To be happy

Christian joy is not: A euphoric, glassy eyed smile A denial of hardships An ignorance of circumstances An escape from reality

Christian Joy is: Seeing the big picture even in the midst of adverse circumstances Rejoicing because we know God is in control and bigger than our circumstances.

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

The OT is filled with theme of joy The festivals of Israel were celebrated with joy (Deut. 12, 14). The psalms are filled with joy of the Lord. – Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. – Psalm 13:5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. – Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the L ORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

OT is filled with the joy of the Lord Psalm Praise the L ORD ! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the L ORD ! Praise the L ORD !

If under law there was cause for joy, how much more under grace. The word Gospel means “Good News”. – A message of forgiveness – A message of deliverance from sin and law – A message of reconciliation between man and God, and access to that God – A message of a kingdom, both present and future – A message of victory – A message of love – A message that it is a gift, unmerited. – A message of eternal life

Joy is a NT theme Three Greek terms for joy or rejoice used 171 time in NT. Luke uses rejoice 20 time in four chapters of the gospel (1, 2, 10, 15). Even though in prison Paul makes rejoicing his primary theme in Philippians (used 14 times).

How Can I Restore the Joy? Ask: – “Have I ever experienced the joy of salvation?” How can one restore what one has never had? Am I saved?

How Can I Restore the Joy? Ask: – “When did I loose the joy of my salvation?” Is there unresolved sin in my life? Psalm 51:title–2 T O THE CHOIRMASTER. A P SALM OF D AVID, WHEN N ATHAN THE PROPHET WENT TO HIM, AFTER HE HAD GONE IN TO B ATHSHEBA. 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

How Can I Restore the Joy? Ask: – “Was there a tragic event or an incident in my life where God didn’t respond the way I thought he should? Am I angry or disappointed with God?” Let God be God, Isaiah 55:8–9 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the L ORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

How Can I Restore the Joy? Ask: – “Was my joy truly in Christ, or was it a joy stimulated by the excitement of the church programs or the charisma of a preacher?” – Maybe it was a joy created by something other than salvation. If so, it was lost because it wasn’t grounded. People and the church will disappoint you.

Rejoice in Your Salvation Rejoice: – In the creation – In the person of God: his love, grace, mercy, kindness, goodness – In the works of God other than salvation – Most of all In salvation: your and others – In eternal life – In the community of the saints – In your access to the throne of God

Rejoice in Your Salvation Rejoice in: – In private While reading scripture While praying In song – Corporately In the successes and victories in lives of others In salvations In the birth of a child, a wedding, etc.

When do we rejoice in our salvation. During Good times – When we are blessed – When others are blessed – When our health is good

When do we rejoice in our salvation. In hard times and tribulations: Habakkuk 3:17–19 17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the L ORD ; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 G OD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

When do we rejoice in our salvation. In life In death Philippians 1:20–24 20 …. Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.