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Count It All Joy

James 1:2

The Celebration downtown is one weekend a year...but many celebrate every weekend.  But who celebrates every day?  People return from vacation bummed out, why?  Because normal life is nothing to celebrate.  Should that be so?

James makes it sound so easy. "My brethren, count it all
joy when ye fall into divers temptations" (James 1:2). the "all"
here means everything that could possibly come our way. Paul
urged the Thessalonians, "Rejoice evermore" (I Thess. 5:16). He
told the Philippians, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I
say, Rejoice" (Phil. 4:4).
Jesus said of His disciples, " . . .And these things I speak
in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in
themselves" (John 17:13). John said, "And these things write we
unto you, that your joy may be full" (I John 1:4).
Let us notice five areas of joy.

I. JOY IN THE SCRIPTURES
There was great singing for joy when Pharaoh and his army
were drowned in the Red Sea. Hannah said, "My heart rejoiceth in
the Lord . . ." when little Samuel was born (I Sam. 2:1). Naomi
was thrilled and rejoiced when Boaz took Ruth as his wife.
Israel shouted for joy when Saul was crowned king. The streets
were filled with women singing and shouting for joy when David
killed the giant and the soldiers came home.
There was a time of great joy and celebrating when the
captured Ark of the Covenant was brought home to God’s people.
All Israel joined in the rejoicing at the dedication of the
Temple. Nehemiah led the people in a time of great joy when the
city walls were finished. Esther, Mordecai and all the Jews were
filled with joy when Haman hanged on his evil gallows. The birth
of Christ was an occasion of joy to the angels, the shepherds,
Mary and the others.
When the prodigal son came home, a joyful celebration was
held. The followers of Jesus cried, "Hosanna" or "Joy to the
Highest," when He rode into Jerusalem. There was great joy at
Pentecost. The impotent man leaped with joy after the healing of
his body. Paul and Silas rejoiced and sang praises at midnight
in the Philippian jail.
On and on the story goes. The Scriptures are filled with
incidents that brought joy to multitudes.

II. JOY IN SALVATION
When Philip brought revival to the city of Samaria, many
turned to Christ, and we read, "And there was great joy in that
city" (Acts 8:8). In the story of the prodigal son, we clearly
see the joy of salvation. Notice, first, the father’s joy. "his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on
his neck, and kissed him" (Luke 15:20). This pictures God,

"not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance" (II Pet. 3:9). The Lord rejoices when sinners come
home.
Notice, too, that the neighbors and friends rejoiced. He
called them to come and rejoice with him.

Thirdly, see the angels of Heaven rejoicing. They really
get excited in Heaven over one repentant sinner. " . . .joy
shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over
ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance" (Luke
15:7).
Then, notice the sinner’s joy. What a relief and blessing
to get the load of sin off your back! This poor, sinful boy came
back fully expecting to be a bond servant, but ended up as a son
again.

{Oh, happy day that fixed my choice,
On Thee, my Saviour and my God.
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.}

III. JOY IN SERVICE
The Queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon. She had heard of
all the glory of his kingdom. When she saw for herself, she
said, "Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants." There
is a joy in service. The servants of the Lord Jesus are happy,
too! Isaiah 65:14 says, "...my servants shall sing for
joy of heart..."
Solomon said, "There is nothing better for a man, than that
he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy
good in his labour" (Eccles. 2:24). David said, "I delight to do
thy will, O my God..." (Ps. 40:8). Someone has said, "Happy
is the man whose occupation becomes his hobby."
Many in GBC love their service opportunities…they love the time they have…maybe not the work as much as the fellowship and fulfillment…they wouldn’t want to do the same things for money, but they take joy in doing them for the Lord!

IV. JOY IN SORROW
"Your sorrow shall be turned into joy" (John 16:20). Jesus
spoke of a woman in travail and sorrow because her hour was come,
"But as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no
more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world"
(John 16:21).
Paul continually emphasized this great truth. "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (II Cor. 6:10); "I am filled
with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation"

(II Cor. 7:4). Jesus reminded His disciples, "In the world ye shall
have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the
world" (John 16:33).
The psalmist said that "weeping may endure for a night, but
joy cometh in the morning" (Ps. 30:5).

V. JOY IN SOULWINNING
Angels rejoice more over people being saved than anything
else. Surely we ought to agree with them in this matter. "They
that sow in tears shall reap in joy" (Ps. 126:5). "He that goeth
forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come
again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (vs. 6).
There was great joy when the lost son came home, when the
lost coin was found and when the lost sheep returned.
The dear Lord wants us to have joy in our heart and life at
all times. The result of dedicated obedience is a filling of the
Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit--JOY.

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