27/6/2021 [Sunday Service] www.lifechurchmissions.com

The Secret to Enjoy Christian Rest and Joy.  <Ps16:4; 37:4; Ecc 11:9; Gen 2:2-3; Ecc 3:12-13; 5:18-19>

1. “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply” <Ps 16:4>

* Sin (especially sin of idolatry) cannot bring us joy!

* Opposite of sin is “holiness”.

* Holiness and happiness come together, not at odds. *

* <Ps 37:4> Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

* Holy living too boring and dull?

* Believers also can enjoy entertainment and leisure; what matters is our response to them.

* Examine: After relaxing, are we more energized to do God’s work, or more bound by entertainment?

* <Ecc 11:9> You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

2. Grasp the secret of “enjoying happiness without guilt”.

* Only after finishing what we ought to then we can enjoy true rest.

* <Gen 2> 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

* Resting after faithfully doing what God wants us to do, then won’t feel accused, but can enjoy rest.

* God also let us enjoy the fruits of our labor.

* <Ecc 3> 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

* <Ecc 5> 18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lotand be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.

3. Some people are not happy enough, perhaps due to “boredom”.

* “Boredom” may not mean nothing to do or lazy.

* When people feel bored, they easily become preys of the evil one.

* Restore life purpose in the Lord, do not focus too much on own needs and feelings.

4. Gratitude is a great channel to happiness.

* It is not that God has not given us good things to delight us, but we are not easily satisfied.

* If not thankful enough, bitterness in one area can rob us of joy in another area.

5. Joy comes from “heart” and “faith”.

* Restore a pure heart of delighting in the Lord <Ps 37:4>.

* God gives us rest and joy in order to bring us to a greater grace – He Himself.

* When our hearts are closely connected to God and are protected by Him, no matter how great the suffering is, it cannot steal away our joy. Just as Paul said, “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” <2 Co 6:10>.

* Choose to believe our own deceitful hearts or trust the God who never lies?

* Struggle till our hearts can trust God.