1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 New International Version

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

• your joy
• to God daily
• Don’t let circumstances ruin your

[1] Following Jesus… we turn into super serious, rigid people we don’t want to be and nobody else wants to be around

Matthew 19:13-14 NIV –  Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

• Creation was an act of by God

Genesis 1:20-23 NIV

²⁰ And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” ²¹ So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.²² God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” ²³ And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

• Creation was an act of by God

John 1:1-3 NIV – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

• Our happiest moments are often we’ve something!

Genesis 1:31 NIV – ³¹ God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

[2] Following Jesus… means we are learning how to in his

John 15:10-12 NIV –  If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Romans 14:17-18 NIRV – ¹⁷ God’s kingdom … is about doing what is right and having peace and joy. All this comes through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ Those who serve Christ in this way are pleasing to God. They are pleasing to people too.

[3] When God’s people are full of joy… God is … and the church

Acts 2:38-39, 41-42, 45-47 NIV

³⁸ And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit… ⁴¹ So then, those who accepted his message were baptized; and on that day about 3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers]. ⁴² They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to eating meals together and to prayers… ⁴⁵ And they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing the proceeds with all [the other believers], as anyone had need. ⁴⁶ Day after day they met in the temple [area] continuing with one mind, and breaking bread in various private homes. They were eating their meals together with joy and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God continually, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were being saved.

• The got baptized
• They learned God’s word
• They spent quality time together
• They ate meals together
• They prayed together
• They met each others needs
• They built new friendships
• They have new beliefs
• They have a new weekly schedule of activities

[4] If I want live with my joy tank at … I can’t just dip my toes in at the of the faith pool