In our world, there is so much sorrow, misery, and sadness.

We see indicators all around us that reveal to us that most people are looking for something,

anything, that can bring them true joy. In this study on joy,

Scott Pauley will take us to God's Word and help us discover the source of true, lasting joy.

And as we study the Bible together, we will find that God's joy is readily available to us

through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are no perfect preachers just like there are no perfect people. The reality is all of us

are just sinners. All of us are in the process of being sanctified and growing in Christ.

But I want to tell you, there is such a thing as a faithful minister of Jesus Christ.

There are faithful preachers.

Not all of them are famous and well known.

Not all of them are in large places, but that's never how God measures his

servants. No, they are measured in this way. Do they point you to the Lord Jesus Christ? There is a joy

to having a faithful minister. And if you have a faithful minister, I mean by that someone that

preaches the word of God, that teaches the truth, that feeds the flock and leads you nearer to

God, you ought to stop right now and say, thank you, Lord, for that faithful minister. You not

only should thank the Lord, you should thank them. Let them know how meaningful it is to you and hold them up in prayer.

Because one of the great joys found in the New Testament is the joy of the faithful minister.

I want to bring you to a couple of scriptures today.

The first, in 2 Corinthians chapter number one, where the Apostle Paul is writing to a group of people,

frankly, who he has invested a great deal in.

I found through the years that many times the people you invest the most in seem to appreciate it the least.

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