Here’s the main point the Bible will teach us about joy:

A Christian’s joy emanates from the saved relationship - its hope of heaven plus any current blessings.

I Peter 1:8

What can we learn about the source of joy from passages such as Hebrews 10:32-36?

Acts 22:4-5

“knowing that you have a better possession and an abiding one”

What was it that elicited the rejoicing on the part of the Ethiopian man (Acts 8:38-39?

They had been baptized into Christ! They now experienced the joy of salvation.

Psalms 51:8-14

Matthew 13:44

What was Paul’s circumstance when he was inspired to write Philippians (Philippians 1:7?

He was in prison.

What can we learn about joy from the book of Philippians?

Joy comes from:

Being saved

Being in fellowship with other saved people

Being able to get others saved

What does the Bible mean when it describes people who were, for instance, “continually filled with joy” (Acts 13:52?

Continual joy is the long term attitude of joy that is not threatened by the ups and downs of life.

Hebrews 12:11

If others see a Christian being truly joyful, it has a good influence on them.

• Loss of spiritual appetite.
• An aversion to straightforward Bible teaching.

Acts 2:22-23 - the plan that God made for our salvation

Planning is a way to use blessings and fulfill responsibilities wisely.

I Chronicles 28:10-11 - examples of planning

Matthew 16:26 - Shouldn’t we make plans to take care of our soul?

Excuses we made for not planning:

“Planning takes the future for granted.” (James 4:13-15

Planning should be done with the right attitude.

“Planning is not as good as doing.”

Planning helps us to do well.

“We need to live by faith.” (II Corinthians 5:6

Planning does not prevent us from walking by faith.

What can you start planning?

Plan to get the most out of Bible classes and sermons. Ezra 7:10

Plan to read the Bible. Matthew 19:3-4

Plan to reach out to someone by the end of April. John 1:29

Plan to teach a kids’ Bible class. Ecclesiastes 12:1

Deity is the perfect example of love.

Love is an action.

Galatians 5:22 - The fruit of the Spirit is love.

I Corinthians 13:1-8 - the Holy Spirit’s description of love

John 13:34-35 - Jesus was to be the example to the apostles of how to love. He is our example, too.

I John 4:7-11 - Learning about God and His love for us helps us understand love and motivates us to love others.

Notice two points in the way God loved mankind:

He took the initiative.

He solved our problem at His own expense.

Matthew 22:35-40 - Jesus enumerates the two greatest commandments:

Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

I John 3:16-18

Matthew 16:26 - We ought to demonstrate appropriate love for self by doing what we need to for our souls.

All of our earthly relationships benefit greatly when we demonstrate true love.