Serve the Lord with Gladness

hunting with the dog the next day. They shot some ducks. The ducks landed in the pond. The optimist ordered his dog to get the ducks. The dog obediently responded and instead of swimming in the water the dog walked on top of the water, retrieved the ducks, and walked back on top of the water with the ducks. The optimist turned to his friend and said, “Now, what do you think of that?” The pessimist replied, “Hmm, he can’t swim can he?”
C. Listen to their teachings.
1. No humor! No ability to take themselves lightly!
2. They talk as if God were a tyrannical Taskmaster, and not our loving Father. Give an inaccurate picture of who God is!
D. Observe how they worship.
1. How dull and uninspiring! Like we are attending a funeral!
2. No beauty or brightness! Everything must be somber!
3. Reminds me of the story of the small child who was in a church service and he was having a grand time of smiling, cuing and laughing at everyone. Finally, his mother whispered to him, “Stop grinning! You’re in a church!” With that, she gave him a belt on his hind side and as the tears rolled down his cheeks added, “That’s better,” and returned to her prayers.
4. In Colorado a church went before the county board of commissioners and the church was applying for permission to build a new building. They were outgrowing their facilities. As a part of their presentation, the church showed children worshipping the Lord as only children can do in their children’s church. They were dancing and singing and jumping around to the music. After their presentation, one of the commissioners said, “I believe that you are a cult! I am the son of a preacher and we would have never worshipped the Lord like those children! This is disgraceful!” And so the commissioners denied them permission to build their new building. It is being fought in court right now!
5. We leave the service depressed instead of encouraged!
E. Ask our own consciences.
1. Is it right to be burdened with many cares all of the time?
2. Now there is a time in our worship where it should generally be serious and somber. That is our communion time! Beyond this, there are times of serious reflection and times of encouragement!
F. Why is this gladness so rare?
1. With some there is a sense of sin and inward struggle against temptations. Much failing and transgression. But through Jesus, doesn’t God forgive and forget? Conviction is good but hopeless if not washed away through Christ!
2. For some the presence of earthly sorrow. There are seasons of distress and grief! But their whole life! With some afraid to ask how are you? Everything is suffering and sorrow!
3. Misunderstandings of the Bible! Must work our way to heaven! The Pharisees never really had joy! Any fun was wrong among the Puritans! We have freedom in Jesus Christ!

II. Gladness in the Lord is most reasonable.
A. We serve the Lord. Psalm 100:5. How is the Lord described?
1. Good- Only those who personally know God can understand His goodness. The unsaved person is continually focuses on the evil in the world and asks, "How could God allow it?" The Christian sees the personal aspects of His goodness.
2. Loving-(1 John 4:10) This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
3. Faithful- Our God is a covenant-keeping God.