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New Life
------------------------------------------------REJOICING IN THE LORD
Lesson Thirteen
1. What does the apostle Paul declare every Christian to be?
(2 Corinthians 3:2, 3) (2) Ye are our _________ [letter] written in our hearts, known and read of all men: (3)
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with
the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
Note: In every one of His children, Jesus has sent an epistle, or letter, to the world. Our lives are “known and read of
all men.” If you are a Christian, Christ has sent you, as His letter, to the family, the town, the street where you live.
He wants to speak through you to the hearts of those who do not know Him. They may never read the Bible or look
to His love, but through you they may be led to understand something of His goodness and come to love and serve
Him.
2. In what way are we to duplicate the work Jesus came to earth to do?
(John 17:18) As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent ______ into the world.
Note: Jesus came to reveal the Father’s love to a world that knew Him not. As His children, we are called to be
representatives of Christ, doing the same work He did in revealing the true character of God’s tender, pitying love
for fallen human beings.
3. As representatives of the Lord Jesus, what picture should we give of life in God’s service?
(Psalms 5:11)…let all those that put their trust in thee _________: let them ever shout for _____, because thou
defendest them: let them also that love thy name be ___________ in thee.
(1 Peter 1:8)…though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Note: Christians who gather up gloom and sadness to their souls, murmuring and complaining, are giving others a
false representation of God and the Christian life. They give the impression that God is not pleased to have His
people happy, and thus they bear false witness concerning God.
4. What is the work of Satan in regard to the character of God?
(John 8:44)…there is _____ truth in him. When he speaketh a _____, he speaketh of his own: for he is a ______,
and the ________ of it.
Note: It is Satan’s studied purpose to misrepresent the character of God as One who lacks compassion and pity. He
loves to lead men and women to mistrust God and look upon Him as harsh and unforgiving. Satan tries to make the
Christian life appear to be one of gloom, difficulty and toil. If this is the attitude we project to others, we are
supporting Satan’s misrepresentations.
5. In reviewing our past lives, on what should we focus?
(Psalms 105:3, 5) (3) Glory ye in _____ holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD… (5)
Remember _____ marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
Note: When you look back on the chapters of life’s experiences, do you not recall some pleasant pages? Some
precious seasons when your heart rejoiced in response to God’s love and kindness? Have there not been bright spots
as well as sadness? Draw continued sweetness and contentment from these bright occasions and rejoice in God’s
care.
6. What practical benefit is promised as a result of being happy?
(Proverbs 17:22) A _______ heart doeth good like a __________e: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Note: It is not wise, nor beneficial, to gather to mind all the unpleasant recollections of the past – its sins and
disappointments – to talk of them and mourn over them until life is filled with gloom and discouragement. Thank
God for the bright pictures of His care and solicitude for you. Group together the blessed assurances of his love and
look upon them often. It is true that thorns are on the rose, but if you look at the flower’s beauty, the thorns will fail
to distress you.
7. Is there any logical reason for us to doubt the Father’s love?
(Romans 8:31, 32) (31)…If God be _____ us, who can be _________ us? (32) He that spared not his own Son,
but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely ______ us all things?
8. When tempted by Satan to doubt God’s goodness, what should be our defense?
(Isaiah 61:10) I will greatly _________ in the LORD, my soul shall be ________ in my God; for he hath clothed
me with the garments of ___________, he hath covered me with the robe of ______________…
(Philippians 4:4) Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Note: When Satan attempts to discourage you, breathe not a word of doubt or darkness. Every expression of doubt
strengthens Satan’s temptations and separates you from the angels of God assigned to minister to you. If you talk out
your gloomy feelings, every word expressed will not only react upon yourself, but will act as seed to germinate and
bear fruit to other lives. When you take the hand of a friend, let praise to God be on your lips and joy be in your
heart. Angels are listening to hear what report you give to the world regarding your heavenly Master.
9. Can we avoid influencing others whether for good or evil?
(Romans 14:7) For none of us liveth to _________, and no man dieth to _________.
Note: By our unconscious influence others may be encouraged and strengthened or they may be discouraged and
repelled from Jesus and His truth.
10. What was Jesus’ personality like when He was on earth?
(Isaiah 53:3, 4) (3) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of _________, and acquainted with _______…(4)
Surely he hath borne our ________, and carried our _________…
Note: It is often said that Jesus wept but was never known to smile. He is spoken of as a “man of sorrows and
acquainted with grief.” And this is true, for He opened His heart to all of human woe. But though His life was
shadowed with care and pain and self-denial, He was not gloomy nor discouraged. His face did not wear an
expression of grief or dissatisfaction, but always showed peaceful serenity. Wherever He went, He carried with Him
rest and peace, joy and gladness.
11. If we are like Jesus, will our lives mirror His in this regard?
(Isaiah 26:3) Thou wilt keep him in perfect _______, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he __________ in
thee.
(Psalms 119:165) Great _______ have they which ______ thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Note: The religion of Jesus gives peace like a river. It does not quench the light of joy; it does not restrain
cheerfulness nor cloud the sunny, smiling face. Christ came not to be ministered to, but to minister in joy; and when
his love reigns in the heart, we shall be like Him.
12. How can we have and maintain this attitude of quiet, confident joy?
(Proverbs 3:5, 6) (5) _______ in the LORD with _____ thine heart; and lean not unto thine _____
understanding. (6) In _____ thy ways ____________ him, and he shall ________ thy paths.
Note: Some are always fearing the future and borrowing trouble. Every day the evidences of God’s love surround
them, but they overlook these present blessings to dwell upon something disagreeable which they fear may come.
Sometimes real difficulties may exist, which though small, blind their eyes to the many things that should call forth
their gratitude and praise.
Do we well to be thus complaining and fearful? All heaven is interested in our well being; Jesus Himself is
our friend. We should not allow the perplexities of everyday life to fret our minds and rob us of the happiness God
wants us to enjoy.
13. Can we expect, then, no trials or difficulties in the Christian life?
(John 16:33) These things I have spoken unto you, that in ____ ye might have _______. In the _______ ye shall
have _____________: but be of good _______; I have __________ the world.
Note: The Lord does not deceive us. He does not say, “Fear not; there are not dangers in your path.” He knows the
Christian life is subject to trials and dangers, and He deals with us plainly. He does not propose to remove us from a
world of sin, but points us instead to a never-failing source of strength and victory.
14. How does Jesus bring home to our hearts the wisdom of trusting Him?
(Matthew 6:25, 26, 28-30) (25) Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or
what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than
raiment? (26) Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your
heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?... (28) And why take ye thought for raiment?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: (29) And yet I say unto you, That
even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (30) Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the
field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Note: The birds go forth to their work singing, for their heavenly Father cares for them. “Are ye not much better
than they?” Jesus asks. If God, the divine artist, gives to the simple flowers that last only a day their delicate tints
and varied colors, how much greater will He care for the men and women created in His own image?
15. What is Jesus’ desire for each of His followers?
(John 14:27) _______ I leave with you, my _______ I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be __________, neither let it be ________.
(John 15:11) These things have I spoken unto you, that my _____ might remain in you, and that your
_____ might be ______.
16. In addition to the joy of following Jesus in this earthly life, what even greater cause for rejoicing does the
Christian have?
(Matthew 25:34, 23) (34) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
_________ the _________ prepared for you from the foundation of the world… (23)Well done, good and faithful
servant; thou hast been __________ over a few things, I will make thee _______ over many things: enter thou into
the joy of thy lord.
(1 Corinthians 2:9) …Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the
things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Note: Soon the redeemed will be welcomed into the home that Jesus is preparing for them. There their associates
will not be the impure, the evil ones of earth, but those that through divine grace have overcome Satan and formed
perfect characters after the pattern of the Saviour. Every sinful tendency, every imperfection, every result of sin that
has caused pain and grief and sorrow will have been removed by the blood of Christ. The excellence and brightness
of His perfect glory will far surpass the glory and brightness of the sun. But the perfection of His character, which
will be reflected in the redeemed and shine through them, will exceed even this outward splendor. They will shine as
the stars forever and ever.
Little wonder, then, the prophet says, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem:
behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation…” (Zechariah 9:9)
Little wonder, then, Jesus assures us that “…there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that
repenteth.” (Luke 15:10)