WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO REJOICE IN THE LORD

 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO REJOICE IN THE LORD

12-31-2020


I. IT MEANS TO DELIGHT IN THE LORD, Psalm 37: 4

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

(Psalms 37:4)

A. To delight means to take pleasure.
  1.  Oftentimes, we choose to do what brings us pleasure or enjoyment.
        a) Satisfying the desires of the flesh, Romans 8: 5. 
        b) Spiritually dead people live in pleasure.  1 Tim.5:6

B. Sinful pleasures bring bad consequences. 
        a) Its pleasure is for a season, Heb 11: 25
        b) The end is death, Prov 16: 25 

C.  There is pleasure in doing God's will.
        a) Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Psa. 126: 5-6 
        b) Your joy may be full, John 15: 11. 

 D. You can take pleasure in God.
        a) When you are lonely
        b) When in hard times, Psa 1: 1-3

II.  IT MEANS TO TRUST IN THE LORD

A.  If you trust in man... 
    1.  You will easily believe what man says than what God's word say.  Rom. 3:4
    2.  You will easily believe man's promises and forget about God's promises. Romans 3: 4 
    3.  You will easily believe gossips without realizing its damaging effects. Prov 18: 8
    4.  You will think that your future depends on man and not on God, Psalm 37: 3.  
B. If you trust in your feelings...
    1.  Deceitful, Jer. 17: 9
    2.  Fool, Prov 28: 26 
    3.  Untrustworthy, 1 John 3: 20, Prov 16: 25 
C. Trust in God...
    1. Even if it is hard to understand, Prov 3: 5-6
    2. Even in times of problems, Romans 8: 28, James 1: 2 
    3. Because His promises are true, Josh 1: 7-8. 

III. IT MEANS ABIDING AND GROWING IN CHRIST.
    A.  It is God who can make you grow, not man, 1 Cor. 3: 6.
    B.  Growth is the result of dependence on God, Psa. 1: 1-3. 
    C.  Preaching helps but believers must study God's word and apply them, John 15:5-8. 
    D.  Godly leaders are a great help to growth when ...
        1.  they teach, lead with sincerity, and give the right motivation. 
        2.  They work honestly not deceitfully, 2 Cor. 10: 14-17. 
        3.  Focus on their tasks, not on others. 
    E.  Bloom where you are planted, Psalm 92:12-13. 
        1.  Do your best in the place where you are and God will put you at the right place tomorrow. 
                -- when you are blessed or transferred to a place of greater opportunity.  
        2.  Not all plants will grow when rooted up and transferred to another farmland. 
    F.  One evidence of growth is your love and support for the ministry, Prov 3: 5-9.  

IV.  IT MEANS FINDING CONTENTMENT IN THE LORD. Phil. 4: 11; 1 Tim. 6: 6-8.  
    A.  Be contented instead of complaining or murmuring, Phil 2: 14. 
        1. Discontentment leads to strife, 1 Cor. 11: 16. 
        2. If you have to complain, go to the right person. 
        3. Do not complain to others if they are not the solution to the problem. 
    B.  Being contented means you must have patience and love, instead of complaining. 
    C.  Being contented means you have to accept what cannot be changed. 
        1.  "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, 
            Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference"
    E.  Being contented does not mean.. 
        1.  Not striving for progress and improvements, Phil 3: 13-14. 
        2.  Not having goals. 
    F.  Being contented means you have to live by your means. 
        1. Do not borrow money for the sake of today's party and tomorrow nothing to eat. 
    G.  In every situation, be thankful.  1 Thes 5: 18.  

 V.  IT MEANS WINNING SOULS FOR JESUS, Psa 126:5-6.  
    A.  Soul-winning ... 
        1.  Is not winning Christians already.
        2.  It is winning the lost 
    B.  Soul winning is likened to fishing. Mat 4: 19.
        1. You do not go buy fish at the market 
        2.  You do not fish at the aquarium.
        3. You launch to the deep seas, Luke 5:4
    C. Soul-winning gives joy Psa. 126: 5-6 
        1. Christians not doing soul winning are bored, John 10: 10. 
        2. We are more than conquerors, Romans 8: 37. 
        3.  It is the way to be blessed, John 15: 8, 16, Isa 58: 10-12.  




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