Weekly Update | July 27, 2023
Joy in The Life of a Christian
Dmitriy Zherebnenkov
Let us once again talk about joy. About joy in a Christian’s life. About joy that isn’t tied to successes and the peace in life, but about joy that is deeply rooted in the Lord!
Beloved, are you joyful right now? Do you have a deep, wide, bright joy? If your answer is no, then read the whole epistle to the Philippians and underline every time you see the word “joy,” then study those passages.
Here are some observations about a Christian’s joy:
- The Bible commands us to rejoice (Phil. 3:1; 4:4)
The immediate question becomes: “How can I rejoice?” The answer is simple – in the Lord! It’s talking about being satisfied in God. This is a realization of His greatness, His holiness, and His loving mercy toward us sinners. This is a realization that He does all things for our good, even today. This is a realization that He is our Good Shepherd. Beloved, if this makes no sense to you, then you simply need to be born again. Because a believer will take comfort in the Lord (Ps. 37:4).
- We rejoice in the faith of other Christians (2:29; 4:1)
When we notice and learn about the deeds of faith of other Christians and we realize that we’re part of one family, we take pride in and rejoice in their display of faith.
- Joy when others participate in evangelism (1:3-5; 18)
It’s interesting how Paul ignores even the motives of some in evangelism but rather rejoices that the Good News is being spread. When was the last time we actually rejoiced in the evangelism of other people (and our own evangelism)?
- We add to each other’s joy with unity (1:25-26; 2:2; 17-18; 28; 4:10)
We become filled with joy when we show care and attention to each other, when we are interested in the good of each other, and when unity grows among us.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Continue supporting the churches working among the people who have suffered from the war in Ukraine: gfchurch.com/ukraine/
The Scripture memory text:
34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.
36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?
38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:34-38
Below are the services and meetings for this weekend:
- Thursday (7:00 PM) – Bible study and prayer meeting
- Saturday (8:00 – 9:30 AM) – Men’s prayer breakfast and Church board meeting (9:30 AM)
- Sunday services:
- Worship Service in Russian at 9:00 AM
- Worship Service in English at 11:15 AM