Introduction.
I. "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
Psalms
16:11.
II. "In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted."
Psalms 89:16.
III. "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation."
Isaiah
12:3.
IV. "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her
jewels. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations."
Isaiah
61:10-11.
V. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
John
15:11.
VI. "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
Romans
14:17.
VII. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." Phil
4:4.
VIII. Christians ought to be full of joy, and that joy starts when you become a Christian.
Body.
I. In order to appreciate the joy that comes from becoming a Christian, we must first realize our condition prior to becoming a Christian.
A. The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts
8:26-34).
1. This Ethiopian was a religious man. He had come to Jerusalem to worship
(v.27).
2. He was studying the Scriptures on his way back home.
3. Yet he was completely confused because he did not know of Christ (vv.30-31).
4. Here we have an example of one who was searching for the truth but was unable to find it by himself because he did not have enough information.
5. Make no mistake, even though he was searching, he was still lost.
B. The Philippian Jailer (Acts
16:23-27).
1. The Jailer had no idea that he would find salvation that night.
2. It seems that all he had in the world were his physical possessions.
3. When those were threatened, he was willing to kill himself.
a. Under Roman law, if a guard allowed his prisoner to escape, he had to take the prisoner's place.
b. Don't you just know that the Devil was hoping he would just fall on that sword.
4. He came within a hair's breadth of going into eternity unprepared.
C. Regardless of one is searching or not, without Christ, he is lost.
1. Eph.
2:12. We are without hope if we are without Christ.
2. Isa.
59:1-2. We are separated from God if we are without Christ.
3. Mk.
16:16. We are damned to an eternity in hell without belief in Christ.
4. Rom.
7:24; "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"
5. What a grim picture!
II. However, both of these men were blessed by coming into contact with teachers of the Gospel.
A. The Eunuch met Philip (Acts
8:35).
1. Philip preached Christ unto the Eunuch (8:35).
2. Preaching Christ unto him included baptism (8:36).
3. The Eunuch never would have figured this out without a teacher.
B. The Jailer met Paul and Silas (Acts
16:28-30).
1. For whatever reason, the Jailer understood that Paul and Silas knew what he must do to be saved.
2. Paul and Silas told him what he must do to be saved (vv.31-32).
C. Well, what do we have to do to be saved?
1. First of all, they both had to hear and understand the truth.
2. They had to repent of their sins.
a. This is obvious on the Jailer's part when he washed their stripes.
3. They had to confess their belief in Christ.
a. As the eunuch did.
4. They had to be baptized.
a. They were both baptized after being taught the truth.
b. Salvation comes after baptism and not before.
5. Notice the urgency.
a. The Jailer went the same night and was baptized.
b. The Eunuch had the chariot stopped and was baptized along the road.
c. They realized the importance of what they had to do.
III. Now is where the Joy comes in.
A. The Eunuch went on his way rejoicing (Acts
8:39).
B. The Jailer rejoiced with all his house (Acts
16:34).
C. Why did they rejoice?
1. Before they had no hope.
a. Hope at the time of death (Prov.
14:32).
b. Hope of eternal life (John
8:51).
c. Hope at the appearing of Christ (Titus
2:13).
d. Hope to anchor our soul (Heb.
6:18-19).
2. Before they were separated from God by their sins.
a. Now they are at peace with God through faith (Romans
5:1-2).
3. Before they were damned to an eternity in hell.
a. Now they have the hope of heaven (John
14:1-3).
b. Now they will have a crown of life (Rev.
2:10).
c. Now they need not fear death (Rev.
14:13).
Conclusion.
I. Do you have reason to rejoice in salvation today?
II. If not, now is the time of salvation (II Cor.
6:2).
III. Don't let the Devil deceive you. You are not guaranteed another moment. Do it now!
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