WHICH JOY DO YOU HAVE? CARNAL OR  SPIRITUAL?

October 3, 1999
God’s people who have been washed in the blood of Jesus, do not need the world.

They are content with just being in close fellowship with the Lord. John 16:33

Since unsaved people do not have access to the Holy Ghost, they create an artificial joy, that today has been coined as "ENTERTAINMENT."  It has been around since Adam and Eve sinned, and the Devil is serving the same rotten food at his table, from generation to generation: Sexual activity outside marriage, pharmakaia (alcohol, and other drugs), sexual dancing to arouse people, dirty jokes, gambling, murder, lying, theft etc.  Exodus 32:1-8, 15-25

Carnal joy does not last! When it ends it makes people frustrated, angry, nasty, disgusting, complaining, whining and the list can go on and on. Genesis 4:3-8

Jonah was one of God’s prophets. But he was not an obedient prophet: Jonah 1:1-17

Jonah had his own program. He hated the people of Nineveh! He wanted death and destruction upon them. When a Christian has his own program, there will be plenty of PAIN, SORROW and downright HELL!  Jonah 2:1-10

God gave Jonah a second chance:  Jonah 3:1-2

Jonah preached, but there was no love in his message:  Jonah 3:3-10

Instead of rejoicing in the repentance of the people, Jonah went into a rage - Jonah 4:1-5

Jonah was not tuned to God, he was tuned to his flesh!  Galatians 5:19-21

Jonah could not rise above his flesh - Jonah 4:6

God taught him a lesson - Jonah 4:7

Compare Jonah with Abraham:

Jonah was a selfish person - Jonah 4:8-11

Abraham loved God - Genesis 22:1-17

Carnal Christians go to Egypt for some joy. They sit before their house gods (TV) or they frequent Satan’s entertainment centers.  Jesus told his followers, WEEP OVER YOUR SINS AND THE PEOPLE WHO PERISH! Luke 23:25-31

No apostle suffered so much as the apostle Paul - 2 Corinthians 11:1-30, 12:1-11

Yet, Paul’s life was filled with JOY!  Philippians 4:1-8

What about you?