“Where does joy come from?”, Psalm 126 - sermon for the Watford church of Christ

“Where does joy come from?”, Psalm 126

Introduction
They are surprised - can this really be happening?
Joy is significant - fruit of Spirit, Gal 5.22-23
Joy is different from pleasure
“All Joy reminds. It is never a possession, always a desire for something longer ago or further away or still “about to be.” CS Lewis

1. Joy comes from the LORD, vv1-3
A. What has he done?
Question: “What has the Lord done for you?”
They want the present to catch up with the past - perhaps we need this too….

B. Important to deliberately remember/recall
Take time to do this

C. Gone viral
Many reasons non-believers might talk about us as Christians, but perhaps joy is the best reason
Remembrance brings them joy and leads them to pray for a refreshed experience.
How do they live in the meantime?

2. Joy comes from faithfulness, vv4-6
A. Soberness
They live in the real world - tears, weeping
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4.
Sometimes sorrow and joy go together

B. Active
They go out sowing

C. Patient
Waiting for the harvest
A confident patience - “will”

Conclusion
Remember & request - vision of the fruitfulness
Jesus:
Our sorrow turns to joy - John 16:22–24
Hebrews 12:1-3.

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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John