JOY (Philippians 4:4) Introduction I. What is Joy? A. I believe that everyone has their own definition. The world has its own but we will answer that through a careful observation as we go through to this topic II. God’s Eternal Purpose for us From the Beginning is to live with Him perfectly for His glory forever III. Sin Ruined it A. In Genesis 3 we read Adam’s Fall B. In Romans 5:12, the Bible said, “Wherefore, as by one man SIN entered into the world, and DEATH by sin; and so DEATH PASSED UPON ALL MEN, for that ALL HAVE SINNED.” IV. Every Man is Born for Trouble (Job 5:7). Sin Brings trouble to ALL MEN! And the privilege of having eternal Joy that God desire for us is lost. V. An American Psychologists named Abraham Maslow, who is an Atheist, tried to offer solutions to the world on how to find Joy. A. It’s called Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: A psychological proposal that prioritizes MAN more than God. B. According to His proposal When reached and Food, Shelter, Clothing, Sleep, Security both physical and emotional, had all friends and connections; had power and respect of others; and has reached full potential; then He will be finally be satisfied and joyful. So unless these needs are met, one will have no true Joy. VI. Isaiah is right that Men are really seeking Joy and Satisfaction from the World (Isaiah 55:2) a. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? AND YOUR LABOUR FOR THAT WHICH SATISFIETH NOT? B. I see the resemblance of Maslow’s Idea to Rich Man in Luke 12:16-21. a. God Called Him a Fool C. Maslow is a FOOL too because as he thought that earthly riches and goods will satisfy a man. a. He didn’t know that those things are not the most important thing in life b. His soul “Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” 1. By the way, a word of warning to parents and students, this idea and teaching is taught to schools In Senior Highschool and in College. Secular Universities and Colleges are teaching students to be FOOLS. VII. With all these problems around us, are there still reasons to be joyful? Where can we be Joyful and When is the right time to be Joyful? A. These will be answered in the word of God in KJB. Body I. Why Christians should Be Joyful? A. Because it is commanded (Philippians 3:1) i. Finally, my brethren, REJOICE in the Lord B. Because of God Never Changes (Malachi 3:6) i. For I am the Lord, I change not C. Because we are Assured and Secured (Romans 8:38-39) i. The Bible Assures us that Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. II. Where Christians Can be Joyful? A. In Fellowship with God (1 John 1:3-4) i. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL. B. In the Fellowship with Bible Believing Brethren (2 Timothy. 1:4) i. Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, THAT I MAY BE FILLED WITH JOY; C. In God’s Word (Psalm 19:8; Jeremiah 15:16) i. The statutes of the Lord are right, REJOICING THE HEART:.. ii. Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and THY WORD WAS UNTO ME THE JOY AND REJOICING OF MINE HEART D. In Prayer (John 16:24) i. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL. E. In Giving (2 Corinthians 8:2) i. How that in a great trial of affliction THE ABUNDANCE OF THEIR JOY and their DEEP POVERTY ABOUNDED UNTO THE RICHES OF THEIR LIBERALITY. III. When Should Christians Be Joyful? A. When Sinners Repent (Lk.15) i. The whole chapter is dedicated to God’s response over a sinner who repents. Heaven Rejoices over one sinner who repents. B. When we are in the House of God (Psalm 122:1) i. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. C. When in Persecutions (Luke 6:23) i. Rejoice ye in that day, and LEAP FOR JOY: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: (spiritually application) D. When in Trials and Temptations (James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:6-9) i. My brethren, COUNT IT ALL JOY when ye fall into divers temptations ii. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, YE REJOICE WITH JOY UNSPEAKABLE AND FULL OF GLORY: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. E. Alway (Philippians 4:4) i. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again, I say, Rejoice 1. Alway? What do you mean Alway? Should it be Always? And Not Alway? 2. Dr. Ruckman commented on the King’s usage of the word “Alway” a. It is superior than the Modern English “ALWAYS” b. It means “IN EVERY KIND OF WAY” and “AT ALL TIMES” c. So, Rejoice in every kind of way we can at all times. CONCLUSION I. Based on our study, we now can define Joy. So, what is Joy? A. Joy is an inner gladness and happiness based on spiritual realities. It does not depend what is external event. It is supernatural. The Bible said it is “Joy unspeakable “. It is an abiding inner rejoicing whether unfavorable circumstances happen. II. Who gives Joy? A. The Bible says in Romans 15:13 “Now THE GOD OF HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” i. It’s God who gives Joy ii. Remember it’s one of the whole packages of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, in Galatians 5 III. God’s plan of Joy for His Creatures is to be eternally with Him. This is His plan ruined by Sin. IV. Sin was ultimate the Joy stealer. And it’s still up until today. i. The Lord said NO MAN CAN STEAL THIS JOY. But Sin CAN STEAL IT ii. Are we weak? The Bible said in Nehemiah 8:10 “The Joy of Lord is your Strength” V. We Christians, who are also Bible Believers will never have reasons not to be Joyful except for the sins must need to be repented. VI. We have reasons to Be Joyful. We know When and Where to Be Joyful VII. By God’s Word, the KJB, we know that Joy is not found in this world but in God and His Word alone. VIII. By those grounds, Christians have all the right to be Joyful. Not the Charismatic Pentecostal People can steal that from us IX. True Joy is not found in in externalities and temporal things. A. Soul is the one who truly feels Joy. B. SINCE SOUL IS SPIRITUAL, WHAT MAKES US THINK THAT MATERIAL GOODS CAN GIVE JOY? i. Since soul is eternal, how can a man find this eternal Joy? The answer is found in our Lord Jesus Christ. ii. Since sin is the Soul’s Problem, and there’s only one solution. The Blood of Christ. As old preachers use to say Death is Sure but Christ is the Cure. iii. Remember also that our Saviour borne all our griefs and sorrow on the Cross. That’s why we can sing: “At the cross, at the cross Where I first saw the light, AND THE BURDEN OF MY HEART ROLLED AWAY, It was there by faith I received my sight, AND NOW I AM HAPPY ALL THE DAY!” X. Maybe some are not Joyful. There’s only one reason I know. Sin. It’s either Unforgiven Sin or Unrepented Sin A. Unforgiven Sins are carried by unsaved people who haven’t trust the Lord Jesus Christ for their Salvation B. Unrepented Sins are committed by those who trusted the Lord for their salvation but are still living outside the will of God. XI. But either of the two, there’s only one solution. “Repent” Amen! CHALLENGE Can’t Find Joy? I. Maybe you are Finding Joy in the Wrong Place II. Maybe you are trying to convince yourself that you are joyful even though you are not. III. Maybe you are trying to patch your sorrows with worldly and carnal stuffs. A. But know this, that only Jesus Can Satisfy your soul. Only Him can make you Whole. He’ll give you, peace, love and Joy that no other man can give. IV. Fellow Believers, maybe you are in different trials and persecutions. Amen to those Christians who stands firm in the Promises of our God our Saviour! Continue! Press on! Keep on the firing Line! Let the Joy of the Lord be Our Strength. Amen! V. So, brethren in Christ, as Apostle Paul said, “REJOICE IN THE LORD!” When and How? “ALWAY”. And in case you didn’t get that, “AGAIN I SAY REJOICE!”