Reflections on: Joy (2023)

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Another virtue that is worth reflection is joy.

Joy is an element of the kingdom of God Rom14:17)

Romans 14:17 NASB95

17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

It is a part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gak5:22)

Galatians 5:22 NASB95

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

(Insert Eeyore slide here; already saved on computer)

Do we lack a deficientcy of joy?

(lack of enthusiasm in worship) - insert illustration here

So tonight lets look at joy defined, sources of joy and results of joy

I. Joy Defined

χαρά = Greek word “chara” (noun form)

Thayer’s defines: Joy, gladness

Vines adds to it delight

used 60 times in the N.T. in that form

χαίρω = Greek word “chairo” (verb form)

Often translated - to rejoice

Used 72 times in the N.T.

Both of these words are closely related to the word

χάρις = Greek word “charis” (noun)

This is translated to the word “grace” - and according to Vine’s is defined in the objective is “that which bestows or occasions pleasure, delight, or causes favorable regard”

But how about some scripture showing it defined (Mt2:10; Lk6:23: Act13:52) .

Great joy

Matthew 2:10 NASB95

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Leaping joy

Luke 6:23 NASB95

23 “Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.

Joy with the Spirit

Acts 13:52 NASB95

52 And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Joy, gladness, delight, rejoicing that comes from grace. Joy and grace are related to one another

Mark Copeland says “Joy is directly proportional to grace one has received or at least to the perception of grace one received.”

Receive a small gift; joy maybe minimal

Receive a large gift, your joyous reaction is greater (insert matchbox car of your dream car vs. dream car)

When we lack joy there is something wrong

“If you have no joy in your religion, there’s a like in your Christianity somewhere.” - Billy Sunday

in a paraphrased quote from William Gurnall “why so many have little heat of joy is they have so little light of the Gospel in their mind. . . . the further you are from the light of truth the further he must be from the heat of comfort” or in other words joy.

Understanding grace will help us to experience more of God’s joy (Rom5:15-17)

Romans 5:15 NASB95

15 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

Romans 5:16 NASB95

16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.

Romans 5:17 NASB95

17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

For the joy of the Lord is abiding (Jn15:11)

John 15:11 NASB95

11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Joy of the Lord is inexpressible (1Pt1:6-8)

1 Peter 1:6–7 NASB95

6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 1:8 NASB95

8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

Contrary or counterpart to the passing pleasures of sin (Heb11:24-25)

Hebrews 11:24–25 NASB95

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,

Even Solomon after trying, searching out everything found out the things in this life are but vanity (ref: Ecc2:10f)

But the joy of the Lord has made it possible, regardless of situations we may be in, maybe facing, may have just gone through to rejoicing

Joy through rejoicing (Php4:4)

Philippians 4:4 NASB95

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

when we have grace by faith when we understand what we have in grace, we have joy and we can reflect on the sources of our joy.

II. Joy, It’s sources

Joy comes as a result of faith (Php1:25; Mt6:25ff, 14:27)

Philippians 1:25 NASB95

25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,

Faith has an object, God and our joy is being fulfilled by our faith in God and in Jesus Christ

It’s source takes away our need to have worry doubt or fear

Like in Mt6:25ff - don’t worry about what you will eat, what you will wear, God takes care of the birds, etc. He will take care of you

Faith got Peter out of the boat, took away fear (Mt14:27ff)

God’s Word is a source of joy (Rom10:17; 15:13)

Romans 10:17 NASB95

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Joy is linked with faith and faith comes by the Word of God.

and in turn it produces Joy

Romans 15:13 NASB95

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

Just another reason to get into God’s Word on a daily basis, to keep your faith strong and your joy full.

Another source for joy is through obedience (Act8:35-38; 1The1:6).

“Obedience to the Word of God fosters joy in the hearts of the obedient.” - author unknown

It is exampled in the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch

Also the brothers in the church at Thessolinica

Acts 8:35–36 NASB95

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

Acts 8:37–38 NASB95

37 And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

and the other reference

1 Thessalonians 1:6 NASB95

6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

Is lacking joy because of a lack of obedience?

One might ask if someone is lacking joy is it that they are lacking obedience to the Word of God in some part?

Another source of joy is forgiveness (Ps51:7-12)

We carry guilt, shame, remorse at times when we sin and it can steal our joy, David was an example of that in Psm31:1-5, 10-11 but I want to bring in from his repentance to restoration

Psalm 51:7–8 NASB95

7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.

Psalm 51:9–10 NASB95

9 Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:11–12 NASB95

11 Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.

You can find Paul struggling with this dilemma in Rom7:22ff but with limited time will let you look that one up yourself -

Where there is forgiveness there can be joy! In fact joy oftentimes follows forgiveness (Rom5:1-2, 10-11)

Romans 5:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:10–11 NASB95

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

The only way to have forgiveness, to have everlasting joy is in Christ Jesus and if you are not in Christ Jesus that is vital to take care of. (expand on if time permits)

Another good source of joy is Christian fellowship (Phi1:7)

Paul had it as he witnessed i tin Philemon

Philemon 7 NASB95

7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Joy in Christian restoration 2Cor7:7; 2Jn1:12)

2 Corinthians 7:7 NASB95

7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.

Or how about

2 John 12 NASB95

12 Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full.

Christian fellowship helps to develop, or add to, joy and joy results in Christian service. In sharing the gospel

Joy in sharing the gospel (Act11:20-23)

Acts 11:20–21 NASB95

20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

Acts 11:22–23 NASB95

22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;

Your joy can bring joy to others (Act15:3)

Acts 15:3 NASB95

3 Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren.

Spiritual growth, spiritual progress, spiritual birth are great ways to bring joy or are a source of joy (1The3:6-9)

1 Thessalonians 3:6–7 NASB95

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;

1 Thessalonians 3:8–9 NASB95

8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account,

Joy can also result in giving, giving to others (Act20:35)

Acts 20:35 NASB95

35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Preaching, teaching, giving time, giving energy, giving money will experience joy from any or all of these services that are pleasing to God.

Drawing a conclusion (Nem8:10)

(Conclusion)

Nehemiahs said

Nehemiah 8:10 NASB95

10 Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

He found strength in the joy of the Lord so let you joy be open to

Joy of faith “in” Christ

Joy in obedience to Him

Joy in the forgiveness received through His blood

Joy in the fellowship of the believe and

Joy in serving the kingdom of God together

First need to be in the kingdom (Invitation)

and finish with

Invitation (Rom15:13)

Romans 15:13 NASB95

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