1. Rejoice! Psalm 100

2. The Righteous Shall Rejoice! Be glad in Jehovah, and rejoice, ye righteous; And shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalms 32:11

3. What’s Going On in the World? Mixed messages: Mixed messages: If you’re stressed or down, people now say you have emotional problems If you’re stressed or down, people now say you have emotional problems More and more “self-help” books More and more “self-help” books The expectation seems to be that we “should be” happy all the time The expectation seems to be that we “should be” happy all the time

4. What’s Going On in the World? More Mixed Messages: More Mixed Messages: The Media also sends a steady message of gloom The Media also sends a steady message of gloom Our colleges make a constant complaint about all that is wrong in our culture Our colleges make a constant complaint about all that is wrong in our culture People are said to be more unhappy than ever People are said to be more unhappy than ever

5. So, what is the Truth? “Should” we be happy? “Should” we be happy? Is our society the greatest ever? Is our society the greatest ever? Or – Are we the most miserable ever? Are we the most miserable ever? Are “things” getting worse daily? Are “things” getting worse daily?

6. The Truth is from the Word Turn off the TV Turn off the TV Forget the politicians Forget the politicians Use the newspaper for the birdcage Use the newspaper for the birdcage Don’t be just another person the “experts” lead into error Don’t be just another person the “experts” lead into error

7. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control… Galatians 5:22-23

8. For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

9. Joy Is Ours in Jesus! The Scriptures Tell Us Why & How

10. Our God is merciful and full of grace and lovingkindness I will be glad and rejoice in thy lovingkindness; For thou hast seen my affliction: Thou hast known my soul in adversities Psalms 31:7

11. God Sent His Son – the Messiah The Angel of God spoke to the shepherds: … behold I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people Luke 2:10

12. Jesus has overcome the world! These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

13. We Are Saved! And my soul shall be joyful in Jehovah: It shall rejoice in His salvation. Psalms 35:9 Yet I will rejoice in Jehovah, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:18

14. We Are Saved! And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Phillip away; and the Eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:39

15. God’s promise cannot be overthrown ! Therefore you too now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one takes your joy away from you. John 16:22

16. We Are Free from the Worries of Life “Be anxious for nothing…” Matthew 6:25-34, Luke 12:22-31 Philippians 4:6

17. Free from the Fear of Death! O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

18. Angels in Heaven Rejoice Over Us! I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons, who need no repentance. Luke 15:7

19. Rejoice When You Are Tempted Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials… James 1:2

20. Rejoice If You Are Shamed for Christ So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. Acts 5:41

21. Jesus Is Here Right Now! For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

22. Jesus is Coming Back! We will be raised alive We will be raised alive 1 Thessalonians 13-18 He will gather us to Him in the sky He will gather us to Him in the sky Matthew 24:30-31

23. Rejoice for Eternity! We are going to spend eternity doing “nothing” but rejoicing, praising, and glorifying God. Revelation 19

24. Live Joyfully for Jesus Every Day! We are taught to actively live for Him We are taught to actively live for Him Let Your Joy Show! Let Your Joy Show! In worship – songs and prayers In life – your attitude and actions In freedom from fear & worry In gladness for salvation

25. Joy is Contagious! Let it Show Each Day Let it Show Each Day Most People Are Drawn to Happiness Most People Are Drawn to Happiness Let Your Light Shine Out! Let Your Light Shine Out!