16th November, 2014 - Rejocing In The Lord - Newton & Charles
This is the live webcast of the Sunday Church Service from Christian Fellowship Church, Bangalore
Summary
The central message is that believers should live with constant joy and gladness because the Lord rejoices over them. The speaker supports this by citing numerous biblical passages, including Psalms and Isaiah, which emphasize rejoicing in God's salvation and goodness despite circumstances. He urges the congregation to approach God with joy and confidence, rather than condemnation, and to pray for the restoration of the joy of salvation.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Serving God with joy and gladnessGod warns against failing to serve Him with joy and gladness of heart, showing that true worship involves internal happiness in the Lord.
Joy during the feast in EzraDuring the revival in Israel, the people kept the feast of unleavened bread with great joy because the Lord made their hearts joyful.Ezra 6:22
David's expression of joyDavid expressed deep happiness in God from his youth, finding more gladness in his heart than others found in material increase.
Rejoicing in salvation and righteousnessIsaiah declared that he would greatly rejoice in the Lord because He clothed him with garments of salvation and covered him with a robe of righteousness.Isaiah 61:10
Rejoicing despite worst circumstancesEven when fig trees fail and agricultural yields disappear, the child of God can still choose to rejoice in the Lord as their strength.
God rejoices over His peopleJust as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, God rejoices over His people with singing, meaning believers should approach Him with confidence rather than guilt.
Restoring the joy of salvationWhen sin breaks fellowship with God, believers should pray like David to have the joy of their salvation restored.
Rejoicing that names are written in heavenJesus told His disciples not to rejoice merely over spiritual authority, but rather that their names are written in heaven.
Fullness of joy in God's presenceDavid prophesied that in God's presence there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore.
Being filled with the Holy SpiritThe early disciples were full of joy and the Holy Spirit, transforming believers from a gloomy demeanor into a life marked by unspeakable joy.
Finding joy in God's WordJust as Jeremiah ate God's words and found them to be the rejoicing of his heart, believers must dig into Scripture rather than looking to worldly distractions for happiness.
Humility brings fulfilled joyJohn the Baptist rejoiced greatly at the bridegroom's voice, modeling the truth that the more humble a person is, the more joyful and fulfilled they will be.
Entering into the joy of the Master through faithfulnessJesus promised faithful servants that they would enter into the joy of their Lord.
Counting trials as joyJames instructs believers to count it all joy when they fall into various trials, using them as education for spiritual maturity.James 1:2
Jesus anointed with the oil of gladnessBecause Jesus loved righteousness and hated wickedness, God anointed Him with the oil of gladness above all companions, making Him the most joyful person on earth.
Experiencing Christ's full joyJesus spoke His words so that His joy might remain in His disciples and that their joy might be made full, an attitude He maintained even on the eve of His crucifixion.John 15:11
A joyful heart as good medicineProverbs teaches that a joyful heart acts as good medicine and a continual feast, whereas a broken spirit dries up the bones.
