Joy comes from obedience
Matthew 7:24-27
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Joy does not come from
- Relationships
- Stuff
Finding joy
- Submit to God’s rule
Psalm 19:8
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
Finding joy
- Submit to God’s rule
- Run from sin
Proverbs 29:6
Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.
Finding joy
- Submit to God’s rule
- Run from sin
- Live generously
2 Corinthians 8:1-4
And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
