Real Joy Through Opposition

Fear

GuiltDiscouragement

AnxietyBitterness

Stress

Weariness

DiscontentmentJealousy

Envy

Anger

Fear

GuiltDiscouragement

AnxietyBitterness

Stress

Weariness

DiscontentmentJealousy

Envy

Anger

JOY

Materialism

“Success”

Legalism

RelationshipsAlcohol

Fear

GuiltDiscouragement

AnxietyBitterness

Stress

Weariness

DiscontentmentJealousy

Envy

Anger

JOYMaterialism

“Success”

Legalism

RelationshipsAlcohol

REAL

Nehemiah 4

Pray! Keep on Keeping on!

Outside Opposition – Sanballat and Tobiah

Opposition for Nehemiah

Opposition

The World – 1John 3:13, John 15:19,

The Devil – 1 Peter 5:8, Eph 6:10

The Flesh – To be continued

Keys

The Why -

The Strength – Prayer = Dependence, Joy

Prepare for more – Be on Guard!

Eph 6, Acts 5:41

Inward Opposition

Those among us -

The Flesh – Romans 7:13

I Cor. 9:27

Never Give Up!

Winston Churchill

I Cor 15:58

Nehemiah 8:10

3 John 1:4

Hebrews 12:2

“It’s not about you”

Real JoyOTHERS

John 15:1-17

Choose to Abide = Choose Joy

Real JoyYOU

Phil 4:4-7

• 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life;• 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us;• 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.• 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

1 John 1:1-4

1 John 1:1-4

Here’s the real deal!

Verse 1

“That which was from the beginning,”

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He is eternal!

*All that He promises is eternal, not temporary

Was = was already in existence

1 John 1:1-4 Verse 1

“which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon”

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

God not only reached down, He came down!

Eternal God has been has come down for us to see

1 John 1:1-4 Verse 1

“which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon”

Isaiah 40:12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales And the hills in a balance?

How we deal with Jesus is how we deal with God.

1 John 1:1-4 Verse 1

“which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon”

2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

1 John 1:1-4 Verse 1

“and our hands have handled,”Luke 24:36-43 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and

supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Andy why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself, Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have,” When He had said this , He showed them His hands and His feet.

1 John 1:1-4 Verse 1

“concerning the Word of life.”

John 1:1,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and

truth.

Why is Christ called the Word?

The Bible Exposition Commentary

1 John 1:1-4 Verse 2

“the life”

Not saying His life, but describing Jesus as THE Life

Christ is life!

John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

1 John 1:1-4 Verse 2“the Life”

Christ is life!John 14: 6 “Jesus said, I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father

except through me.”

Ephesians 2:1 “And you he made alive, who were dead in your trespasses and sins”

The Matrix

Dead men walking!

1 John 1:1-4 Verse 2“the Life”

Christ is life!

John 10:10-11 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

1 John 1:1-4 Verse 2

“with the Father”John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the

Word was God.

Ephesians 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in

love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,”

1 John 1:1-4 Verse 3

“that you may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ”

“to share in common”

We are offered a close bond with each other and with God.

1 John 1:1-4 Verse 3

“that you may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ”

“to share in common”John 17:20-21 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their

word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that you sent Me.”

1 John 1:1-4 Verse 4

“And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”

John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

John 16:24 “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

1 John 1:1-4 Verse 4

“And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”

I Peter 1:8 “whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,”

Joy that is separate from circumstances.

Trust Him and Seek His Joy!