A Christian Has A Reason To Rejoice Christianity is not supposed to be doom and gloom because we can’t have any more fun.

INTRODUCTION Proverbs 17:22 It is right and desirable to be merry in one’s heart. Galatians 5:22-23, 25 Joy is an essential element of the “fruit of the Spirit”. Whereas any one of the “works (plural) of the flesh” will damn a soul, it takes every part of the “fruit (singular) of the Spirit” in order to be right with God. To lack joy is to be incomplete. 1st Thessalonians 5:16 It is a straightforward command to “Rejoice always”.

FOOD Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; 5:18-20 In a book about the meaning of life, emphasizing the vain pursuits of existence under the sun, Solomon points out, more than once, the goodness of taking simple pleasure in food. Psalm 128:2 Deriving pleasure from what one has worked to earn is appropriate. Acts 2:46 It is even better to share that meal with those of like precious faith.

MARRIAGE Proverbs 5:18-19 Marriage is a relationship to “rejoice” in. Ecclesiastes 9:9 Marriage is often depicted as an adversarial situation in modern society, but God intends it to be filled with joy. Deuteronomy 24:5 Under the Old Law, men were ordered to “bring happiness” to their wives. In order to achieve that, they were relieved of military duty and business travel during an imposed yearlong honeymoon.

CHILDREN Psalm 127:3-5 Although children are sometimes regarded as a burden or, jokingly, as an accident, Solomon calls the man with many children “happy”. John 16:21 Despite the tremendous pain of childbirth, the outcome is full of joy. Proverbs 23:24-25 Real joy and gladness in childrearing comes when one’s offspring proves “righteous”.

TRIBULATION James 1:2-4 Even adversity ought to produce joy since it develops character. Luke 6:22-23; Acts 5:40-41 Christ encourages to His disciples to react joyfully – even to “leap for joy” – when persecuted because it puts such disciples in the good company of the prophets of old. 2nd Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul took “pleasure in infirmities” because it placed the emphasis of his success on Christ. John 16:33 Cheer can be experienced despite tribulation because Christ overcomes!

GOD Psalm 5:11-12; 9:1-2; 32:11; 66:1-4; 95:1-7; 100; 144:15 God Himself is the best reason for joy just because of who He is.

CHRIST Luke 2:8-11; John 8:56; Psalm 118:22-24 Christ’s birth was a cause for rejoicing. The prospect of His coming brought gladness and rejoicing to Abraham. Philippians 4:4 It is worth repeating that one’s joy should be constant, and that joy should be in the Lord. Mark 6:48-51 The reason for such cheer is that He is the one who calms the storms.

GOSPEL Matthew 13:44-46 The acquisition of the kingdom of heaven is so joyous that it is worth giving up all else. Acts 13:48 When the gospel is preached, sincere souls will rejoice to hear it. 1st Thessalonians 1:6 “Affliction” notwithstanding, the Thessalonians “received the word” with “joy”. Acts 26:2 Paul derived happiness from defending the gospel. Luke 8:13 The joy of receiving the word must persist.

FORGIVENESS Matthew 9:2 Forgiveness should bring “good cheer”. Acts 8:35-39; 16:33-34 Having been saved, the Ethiopian eunuch and the Philippian jailer with his family rejoiced. Luke 15:7, 10, 31 Angels and men rejoice in the repentance of one wayward soul. 2nd Corinthians 7:9-10 Paul rejoiced when the Corinthians’ sorrow motivated their repentance. Psalm 35:9 Salvation is the greatest cause of joy there is.

SCRIPTURE 1st John 1:4 John explained his purpose in writing as being to complete the joy of his readers. Acts 15:30-31 The brethren in Antioch rejoiced at the reading of the epistle from Jerusalem. Psalm 19:8 Jehovah’s statutes cause the heart to rejoice! Proverbs 29:18 Law keeping based on the revelation of God’s word brings happiness.

WISDOM & UNDERSTANDING Proverbs 3:13-18 Wisdom and understanding make a man happy. Ephesians 5:17; 3:4 Understanding the Lord’s will is essential and can be achieved through reading.

BRETHREN Philippians 1:1-5; 4:1 The apostle counted the brethren of Philippi as his “joy and crown”. Colossians 2:5 He rejoiced to see the steadfastness of the Colossian brethren. 1st Thessalonians 2:19-20; 3:9 He called the brethren of Thessalonica his “glory and joy”. 2nd John 12 The fullness of joy isn’t just having brethren, but spending face time with them.

UNITY Philippians 2:2 Like-mindedness produces fullness of joy. Psalm 133:1 Unity among brethren is “good” and “pleasant”. 1st Corinthians 1:10 Being of the same mind only happens when people consent to a single, objective standard – namely, the Scriptures.

OTHERS’ JOY Romans 12:15 Christians ought to experience joy in the joy of others. 1st Corinthians 12:26 Genuine love means being in touch with the emotions of brethren.

ANSWERED PRAYER John 16:24 Jesus taught His people to derive joy from answered prayer. Matthew 21:22 Answered prayers are prayers offered in faith, not doubt. 1st John 3:22 Answered prayers are prayers from commandment keepers. James 4:3 Answered prayers are selfless prayers.

HEAVEN Luke 10:20b Above all else, the one thing that should cause joy is that one’s name is enrolled in heaven. Romans 12:12 “Hope” in heaven is a cause for “rejoicing”. 1st Peter 1:3-9; 4:12-13 The incorruptible inheritance of heaven causes the Christian to “greatly rejoice”, even if trials are present. Hebrews 12:2 Jesus endured what He did because of the “joy set before Him”. We should, too.

CONCLUSION Proverbs 15:13; James 5:13 If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it. Real joy is expressed in smiles and songs. James 4:7-9 Not everyone should be rejoicing. Sinners ought to grieve in order to repent, so that they may be saved.