This was a tremendous sermon! One that my notes will not do justice! A definiete must listen!
http://1drv.ms/1krDdbF
Ps. 122:1
Why do we go to the house of the Lord? What makes us glad to go?
~because it's the house of God?
~because it's tradition?
~to see our friends?
If we don't get our pleasure solely from God, we aren't very happy.
Life is not always joyful. Sometimes we are in the valley of Bacca, but if we know God, we know that "joy will come in the morning!" We can praise God in the valley because we know that God is greater than our valley and He will bring us out!
1. Expression of Decision-Gladness is a choice (Verse 4) "As for me"
-Personal Decision-Your gladness is not dependent on anyone or anything. You were not created to find joy in earthly things. They will always grow stale and disappoint. You were created to find your absolute pleasure in God. Things and people will not fill that void. Gladness is based in God.
-Permanent Decision-Life is what you make it. Ps 84:6. When you are in the valley, you make it a spring and God will rain on you there. if you are determined to praise God even in the valley, He will meet you there and your greatest hardship will become your greatest victory!
2. Expression of Designation
~Particular choice-You choose gladness. It's not vague. It's not fate. It's your choice. Gladness is virtuous, God-like.
~Particular character-Gladness is lively! The dead are quiet. They lose their gladness, they slowly backslide, they die inside and it shows on the outside!
3. Expression of Direction..."in the Lord"
~Our gladness is in God because of what He's done. It is not self or earthly focused on jobs, money, family or possessions. It's not secular with a godly veneer. That is insincere.
~It's because of the greatness of our God. It comes with a daily, fresh, growing knowledge of God and His Word; worshipping daily; seeing God daily! When we live self centered, we live small and in a world of sadness. When we live in God's greatness, we live glad!
http://1drv.ms/1krDdbF
Ps. 122:1
Why do we go to the house of the Lord? What makes us glad to go?
~because it's the house of God?
~because it's tradition?
~to see our friends?
If we don't get our pleasure solely from God, we aren't very happy.
Life is not always joyful. Sometimes we are in the valley of Bacca, but if we know God, we know that "joy will come in the morning!" We can praise God in the valley because we know that God is greater than our valley and He will bring us out!
1. Expression of Decision-Gladness is a choice (Verse 4) "As for me"
-Personal Decision-Your gladness is not dependent on anyone or anything. You were not created to find joy in earthly things. They will always grow stale and disappoint. You were created to find your absolute pleasure in God. Things and people will not fill that void. Gladness is based in God.
-Permanent Decision-Life is what you make it. Ps 84:6. When you are in the valley, you make it a spring and God will rain on you there. if you are determined to praise God even in the valley, He will meet you there and your greatest hardship will become your greatest victory!
2. Expression of Designation
~Particular choice-You choose gladness. It's not vague. It's not fate. It's your choice. Gladness is virtuous, God-like.
~Particular character-Gladness is lively! The dead are quiet. They lose their gladness, they slowly backslide, they die inside and it shows on the outside!
3. Expression of Direction..."in the Lord"
~Our gladness is in God because of what He's done. It is not self or earthly focused on jobs, money, family or possessions. It's not secular with a godly veneer. That is insincere.
~It's because of the greatness of our God. It comes with a daily, fresh, growing knowledge of God and His Word; worshipping daily; seeing God daily! When we live self centered, we live small and in a world of sadness. When we live in God's greatness, we live glad!