Proverbs 10:28, The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.


John 15:11, These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

1) Righteousness and wickedness are divergent.

Proverbs 10:2, Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.

Proverbs 10:6, Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 10:7, The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

Proverbs 10:11, The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 10:16, The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.

Proverbs 10:20, The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

Proverbs 10:24, What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

Proverbs 10:25, When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.

Proverbs 10:30, The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

Proverbs 10:32, The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

2) You can become righteous through Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:21-24, …The righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…

3) Only when you become righteous do you have true hope.

a. Expectations shift from temporary to eternal.

I Corinthians 15:19, If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Titus 2:13, …Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…

b. Righteous living produces joy.

Psalm 37:4, Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

c. God’s Holy Spirit produces joy.

Romans 15:13, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

John 15:8-11, By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Disciple = God’s love = obedience = joy