Understanding Christian Joy

The True Life of Joy

• The Holy Bible encourages us to live a life of joy, as seen in Deuteronomy 16:15 "you shall surely rejoice".
• There are two types of gladness:
  • Worldly happiness: temporary, showy, and affects our thoughts and emotions but not our spirit.
  • True Christian Joy: given by our Lord Jesus, and is the source of our joy "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4).

Sources of Joy

• The Joy of Repentance:
  • Recognizing our wrongdoings and feeling the need for repentance.
  • Going to our father the priest, confessing, and receiving absolution.
• The Joy of Fellowship, Service, and Giving.
• The Joy of Enduring Hardships: "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:41).

Rejoice in the Lord Jesus My Savior and Redeemer

• Our Lord Jesus is great, He offered the greatest love ever, creating us in His image and likeness to enjoy His unlimited love and live with Him in paradise.
• He died on the cross for our sake, was buried, and rose on the third day to raise us with Him.
• He ascended into heaven and sat at the right hand of the Father to take us with Him to His throne.

Rejoice in the Holy Bible

• The Holy Bible is our personal divine message, containing love, rebuke, commandments, promises, teaching, and details about the way to eternal life.
• Every Christian should study the Bible regularly, fulfilling the Lord's commandment "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39).

Rejoice in the Church - The House of Joy

• Our Coptic Orthodox Church is unique, redeemed by the Lord's blood, and received the sound faith from our fathers the apostles.
• The Church is the house of joy, giving us joy and teaching us to serve inside the Church and witness to the Lord in society.

Rejoice in Being a Member of the Body of Christ

• We receive membership through the Holy Sacraments and keep it through spiritual strife.
• Each member has a role and a message for society, bringing joy to our life, knowing our identity and calling.

Joy in Spiritual Fulfillment

• The true Orthodox believer has a life of joy and fulfillment through:
  • Praying the Psalms daily
  • The Arrow Prayers (Jesus Prayer)
  • Daily lectionary readings
  • Reading the Synaxarion daily
  • The Midnight Praises
  • Church Fasts
  • Church seasons
  • Church Feasts
  • The Eucharist
  • The Church Fathers sayings

Joy in Asceticism

• Our moderate Coptic asceticism is based on St. Anthony and St. Paul's teachings.
• Sound asceticism is under the direction of the father of confession, offering our asceticism to the Lord.

Joy in Martyrdom

• "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." (Acts 5:41)

Rejoice in the Eternal Life to Come

• We can recognize the following glories in our joyful eternity with the Lord:
  • Joy in the glory of holiness
  • Eternal Joy: "Enter into the joy of your lord." (Matthew 25:21)
  • Joy of the Communion with the Lord: living in continuous communion with God and the "members of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19)
  • Joy in the Glory of Eternal Life: The Lord promised us saying, "Because I live, you will live also." (John 14:19)

Discover the difference between worldly happiness and true Christian joy, and explore the sources of joy in the Bible, including repentance and faith.