Sermon Tone Analysis

Don’t be an Eeyore

Who wants to reflect, contemplate on things that are a downer or depressing?

May we continue to reflect on things we see in:

Another virtue that is worth reflection is joy.

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

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

(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

Leaping joy

Joy with the 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)

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

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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

and in turn it produces Joy

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

and the other reference

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

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)

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

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

Or how about

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)

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

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

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

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

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)

(Song) (Prayer) -Close