INTRODUCTION
-Tonight, we are going to begin a series on the fruit of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23
-Warning 1: These fruits are the results and evidences of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives
-We cannot create them in ourselves
-Much as we would like to and often try to
-But, we can cultivate a susceptible place for them to be grown and to thrive
-Warning 2: The Fruits of the Spirit are not to be confused with the Gifts of the Spirit
-Tonight we will take a look at joy
-We’ll save love for later in the series
-As a fruit, I would symbolize joy with the lemon
-I will note why later on
-I Peter 1:3-9
-Joy is perhaps one of the most misunderstood concepts of human life
-It is too often tied to happiness
-They are not synonymous
-The presence of one does not impact at all the presence of the other
-Happiness is an outward condition
-Ruled by what happens around the individual
-Joy is an inward condition
-Ruled by the person’s makeup or characteristics
-This is why so many vices are present in society
-Man looks for happiness when what he really needs is God-given joy
-Tonight let’s take a look at four marks of joy in our lives
I. Joy Is A Constant
-I Thessalonians 5:16
A. People who are Spirit-filled will always have joy
-Joy is not the same thing as happiness
-Joy is like the results of child birth
B. Some to a greater measure than others
-Dependent on their willingness to allow the Spirit to
work it in their lives
-You can lead a horse to water. . .
II. Joy Brings Strength
-Nehemiah 8:10b
A. To battle discouragement
-This is why I symbolize joy with the lemon
-ILL: Paul and Silas in jail
-Certainly they were not happy about their circumstances
-But their joy in the Lord gave them strength to hold a praise rally in prison
-Discouragement is going to come to you
-But, joy will give you the strength to battle it
-It shows what you are truly made of
B. To battle temptation
-When we are joyful, we are less likely to fall from our temptations
-Satan tempts us the most frequent and the most severe when we lack joy in the Lord
-When we are dissatisfied
III. Joy Looks At The End Results
-Not necessarily the present circumstances
-Oswald Chambers once said, “The Bible nowhere speaks about a "happy’ Christian; it talks plentifully of joy. Happiness depends on things that happen, and may sometimes be an insult: joyfulness is never touched by external conditions, and a joyful heart is never an insult"
-James 1:2-4
-I learned much and grew in my faith that day
A. God has a perfect plan
1. For mankind
2. For individuals
B. God provides blessings along the way
1. In response to promises
2. Because He is gracious
-He is our Heavenly Father
C. Heaven will outshine everything here
-II Corinthians 4:17-18
IV. Joy Can Be Increased
-I John 1:4
A. By focusing on God’s promises
B. By following of God’s commands
-You see, the commands of God are not a heavy yoke
-They are an easy yoke
-By following God’s commands, we actually are more joyful for we are more in the center of God’s will
CONCLUSION
-Let’s leave here walking in the joy that comes only from the Lord
-Let it remain in you always
-Let it strengthen you
-Both in discouragement and temptation
-Let it see what lies ahead, not only what is
-And let it increase day to day
