Joy That Lasts
Joy Unspeakable • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 28:50
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· 148 viewsToday, Pastor Chris shares on the topic of Joy! Does your life show the signs, the evidence of Joy?
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(An Intro to Joy)
As we finish 2020, we’re finishing the study on the spiritual disciplines. With December comes the season of Christmas and our calendar had celebration as the final study, but when I read that I heard the word, “JOY”.
Does that resonate with you today? I hope so, but if it doesn’t I can’t think of a better reason to talk about it.
What does it mean? What a great word study to do!
What does it mean? What a great word study to do!
It occurs 88 times in the Old Testament, 57 times in the NT. It’s a big deal!
Hebrew -> simchah (8057)
Greek -> Chairo (kha-ee-ro) (5463)
to rejoice, be glad, full of joy
Definition -
A state of mind and orientation of the heart. A settled state of contentment, confidence & hope.
We rejoice because of WHO Jesus is and because of WHAT He’s done!!
The Truth of Joy - It will OVERFLOW
The Truth of Joy - It will OVERFLOW
Jesus showed us that out of our Love, comes Joy -
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
The same LOVE that the Father loves Jesus with! I think we need to let that sink in for a minute. You think we might have Joy unspeakable from that? For God so loved, He gave!
16 “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”
19 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
Are you walking in His Love?
There is Evidence!
There is Evidence!
I don’t think it’s any surprise that one of the scriptures we will look at today is Galatians 5:22!
Joy is the 2nd fruit of the spirit!
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Now, maybe you didn’t grow up in church and you’re not into farming or growing your own fruits and vegetables. So, what are we talking about? We are talking about evidence. The Bible tells us that not only will there be many that rise up and pretend to be Christ in the last days, but that there are people, in church, that will sound good, look good, etc but they are NOT His. The way we know this is by the evidence. Do they show the fruits or signs that the Holy Spirit is working in them and through them?
Does your life show the signs, the evidence of Joy?
It’s not worldly, in fact -
It defies all logic!
It defies all logic!
**Even in our troubles, we can have Joy!
17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
2 My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! 3 For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. 4 And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.
It’s so easy to assume that Joy is something that we receive through blessings only, but sometimes we find that it comes from pain & sorrow as well. How can this be?
It’s something that we commit ourselves to, as we are being transformed!
26 There was great joy in the city, for Jerusalem had not seen a celebration like this one since the days of Solomon, King David’s son. 27 Then the priests and Levites stood and blessed the people, and God heard their prayer from his holy dwelling in heaven.
They dedicated themselves and everything to the Lord and His service. Then, boom! JOY and God heard them!
1 Thess 5:16-18 or just read the whole chapter!!
16 Let joy be your continual feast. 17 Make your life a prayer. 18 And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.
The Aramaic can be translated “Be joyous in every season.”
Verses 16–18 identify three areas our lives we must focus on:
(1) unbounded joy,
(2) praying continually, and
(3) giving thanks to God no matter happens in our lives.
These three virtues combine to form the wonderful expression of Christ’s life within us.
LISTEN - This isn’t a fake smile or a special mask that we wear on Sunday so people won’t know what we just did or said on the way to church this morning!
It will well up within us from the knowledge we have about Him and the relationship that we live out with Him. Coming up from the river of LIVING WATER that He put in us.
Pastor Craig Groeschel shared a reminder this week -
“Who you are with determines who you become.”
“Who you are with determines who you become.”
So, you can say, “no matter what, I have THIS HOPE!”
Are you dedicated to His service, His will, His way?
Are you experiencing His joy in every season of your life?
SPEAK JOY
SPEAK JOY
We must remind our souls to be joyful!
As I’ve shared before, we wander. We need to remind each other and ourselves.
Ask the Lord to guide you in this, remember Joy is a gift He gives.
Psalm 40, 47 and
Psalm 34!! Taste and See
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
Closing
Closing
Is this something that you’ve been searching for? Have you tried other things or looked to people to fill you with joy that is temporary?
You can have the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy - down in your heart(where?) - TODAY!
**Because He Lives…I can face tomorrow!