Announcements
Going Forward Developing Disciples on Purpose for the Glory of God 2015 Theme: Reconciliation
LIVING A JOYFUL LIFE
GOAL This series of 12 lessons, both rooted in and derived from the word of God, will be instrumental in providing the Christian believer with the spiritual tools necessary for living a joyful life.
John, the beloved disciple, records Jesus as having said, the thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (Jn. 10:10). The adversary presents every life with its share of challenges, be they great or small. God, however, in the personhood of Jesus Christ, would have us as the people of God to live a joyful life amid trying times. This lesson shall offer several ways by which this can be accomplished.
I. Staying on Top of Circumstances II. Triumph over Troubles III. Relying on The Love of God IV. Don t Worry V. Grow Better, Rather than Bitter, as you Grow Older.
Key I: STAYING ON TOP OF CIRCUMSTANCES
1. Guard your Heart 2. Guard your Spirit 3. Guard your Mind
How? 1. Guard your Heart Prov. 4:23 KJV (23-27 Message) Matt. 15: 18-20 (words and deeds) Luke 6:45 (words) Prov. 17:20 (deeds) cf. 16:28
Guard your Heart: Continued Prov. 18:12 (your Standing/Status) Matt. 12:34-37 If your guard your heart you don t have to worry too much about minding your mouth Psalm 119:11 (Purposeful Precaution)
2. Guard your Spirit - Guards your health) Prov. 18:14 physical (also Message) Prov. 17:22 (v. 21-22) physical Prov.15:13 psychological Prov. 12:25 psychological
2. Guard your Spirit (Cont.) - Guards your Standing/Status Can result in either Demotion or Promotion Prov. 16:18 19 (cf. Prov. 25:7; also 18:16, Jm. 1:17 ) Dan. 6:3
3. Guard your mind Prov. 29: 11 (Wisdom and Discretion) Punishment for not guarding your mind Isaiah. 17:10 11 Ezekiel 11:5 (5-12) Romans 1: 28-31
3. Guard your mind (Cont.) Negative impact/bad Influence from not guarding your mind Acts 14:2
3. Guard your mind (Cont.) Reward for guarding your mind Isaiah 26:3 Lamentation 3: 18-26 (i.e. hope) Matt. 22:37 (34-40) The Foundation of Godly living
3. Guard your mind ( Cont.) Reward for guarding your mind (cont.) Acts 17: 11(10-13) (Faith and Belief; as oppose to disbelief from bad influence) Acts 14: 2 Romans 7:23,25; 8:5-6 (1-9); 12:1-2
3. Guard your mind ( Cont.) Reward for guarding your mind (cont.) Eph. 4: 21-24, Phil. 2:5 (Privilege of deity; Message) 2 Tim. 1: 7 (3-12) (Boldness of Testimony; Message)
Key II: TRIUMPH OVER TROUBLES
1. Share your Problems with Jesus 2. Meet your Problem with Peace 3. Avoid Making Problem (i.e. For Yourself) 4. Plan to Pray About Your Problem 5. Praise Through Your Problems
1. Share your Problems with Jesus Matthew 11: 28-30 (cf. Luke 11:46) 2. Meet your Problem with Peace Psalm 34: 14 Romans 12: 18 Romans 14:19 Hebrews 12:14
3. Avoid Making Problems (i.e. for yourself) With our Eyes: Proverb 4: 25-27 Psalm 101:3 With our Mouths: Psalm 34: 12-13 Proverb 21:23 Proverb 12:13 James 3: 2, 3ff
4. Plan to Pray About Your Problem II Chronicles 7: 14 Philippians 4: 6-7 I Thessalonians 5: 17 Hebrews 4: 16 (14-16) Jams 5: 15-16
5. Praise Through Your Problem Job 1:20-22 (1-22) Psalm 145: 1-3; 48:1 Psalm 34: 1ff. Psalm 22:3 Isa 24: 15a; 25:8 Habakkuk 3: 17-19
5. Praise Through Your Problem (cont.) Philippians 4: 4-7 (also Msg) I Thessalonians 5: 18 (also Msg) Romans 12:12 (also NEB) Ephesians 5: 19-20 Acts 16:25-26 (16-26)
Key III: RELYING ON THE LOVE OF GOD
Jude 21 (17-25): How? 1. By Staying in The Word of God 2. By Staying in The House of God 3. By Staying in Conversation with God 4. By Staying in the Will of God
1. By Staying in The Word of God Amos 3: 3 Psalm 1:1-3 Romans 15: 4-7 2 Tim 2: 14-15 2 Tim 3: 12-17
2. By Staying in The House of God Hebrews 10: 25 Matt. 23: 37 (27-39; Msg.) Eccl. 4:12 (9-12) Romans 15:1 (1-7) Matthew 18: 19-20
3. By Staying in Conversation with God Process Matt. 6: 5-13; Luke 11:1ff., (Isa 65: 24 (17-24)) Persistence I Thess. 5: 17, Lk 11: 5-9, Lk 18:1, Rm. 12:12 Place - Gen 19: 27, Matt. 26:36 Power - James 5: 16-18; I Kings 17:1, 18: 41-46 (also v Msg.); Rm 10:17
4. By Staying in The Will of God Old Testament: Lev. 10: 1-3 - Vital for Being in the Presence of God 2 Sam. 15: 24-25 2 Kings 20: 15-20 - Can be Generational Psalm 103: 20-21 - Blesses God
4. By Staying in The Will of God (Cont.) New Testament: Matt. 6:10 Model for Prayer to God Matt. 26:39, 42, 44 - Spiritually Preferable - Carnally Un-preferable -Chronologically Unalterable - Ultimately Unavoidable
4. By Staying in The Will of God (Cont.) New Testament (Cont.): Acts 21: 14 James 4: 15 (13-17)
1. By Staying in The Word of God 2. By Staying in The House of God 3. By Staying in Conversation with God 4. By Staying in The Will of God