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The Joy That Cannot Be Taken From You. John 16:22. Christian Joy is Needed Today. Many things are taken from us: life, health, things, etc. The apostles needed joy during unhappy circumstances (Jn. 15:11; 16:20-24; 17:13) We need joy in an unhappy world (sin, natural disasters)
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The Joy That CannotBe Taken From You John 16:22
Christian Joy is Needed Today • Many things are taken from us: life, health, things, etc. • The apostles needed joy during unhappy circumstances (Jn. 15:11; 16:20-24; 17:13) • We need joy in an unhappy world (sin, natural disasters) • Many brethren have cheapened the true nature of Christian joy by turning it into something social or recreational • What is the true joy of Jesus that cannot be taken from us?
joy that can be taken away • Joy connected with human relationships (Prov. 17:21; Mt. 10:37) • Joy connected with wealth (Prov. 23:4-5; 27:24) • Joy connected with possessions (Isa. 9:3; Mt. 6:19; Lk. 12:15ff; Heb. 10:34) • Joy connected with unrighteousness (2 Thess. 2:12; Heb. 11:25) • Joy connected with pleasure (Eccl. 2:10; 2 Tim. 3:4)
joy that cannotbe taken away • Joy of my salvation (Psa. 51:12; 71:23; Isa. 61:1-2; Lk. 2:10; Ac. 8:39) • Joy of the salvation of others (Lk. 10:17; 15:7,10; Acts 13:52; 15:3) • Joy of faithful brethren (Acts 2:46; Phil. 2:2,17-18; Col. 2:5; 1 Thess. 2:20; Phile. 20; 3 Jn. 4) • Joy of a faithful family (Prov. 23:24-26) • Joy of living right for Jesus (Prov. 21:15; Gal. 5:22)
joy that cannotbe taken away • Joy of knowing the Lord is on our side (Psa. 5:11; 21:6; Heb. 13:5-6) • Joy of God’s word (Psa. 119:162; Jn. 3:39; 1 Jn. 1:4) • Joy of worshipping God (Psa. 95:2; 122:1; 2 Cor. 9:7) • Joy of suffering for right (Mt. 5:11-12; Jas. 1:2) • Joy of heaven set before us (Jn. 14:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:1-2; Heb. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:4)
Christian Joy • Joy that is based upon purely temporal (earthly) things does not last, is short-sighted, is misplaced • Joy from Jesus based upon true spiritual relationships cannot be taken away • True Joy that cannot be taken away, makes us strong and will help during unhappy circumstances (Neh. 8:10)