Proverbs 10:28 NIV - The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
INTRODUCTION
• Have you ever felt like you lost your joy?
• Do you ever wake up and think… “I used to be happy.”
• Could it be that satan has stolen your joy?
• Let’s explore this today…
I. SATAN ATTACKS US ON MANY FRONTS.
A. He attacks our joy by trying to make us live in a state of constant lack. (no peace, no security, not enough time in the day…)
1. It’s time to attack lack!
2. There are some loses that God can restore! With the rest He can give you peace. (Example: Loss of a loved one)
B. He attacks our joy through family conflict. (strife, division, war)
1. Matthew 10:36 KJV - And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
• This is predominately talking about the proclamation of and the demonstration of the Gospel with power.
• Your family will use, abuse and misunderstand you. They see the “human you”.
• Don’t let it steal your joy. God will always think more of you than your family does!
C. He attacks our joy through physical, emotional and financial pain. (disease, shame, bankruptcy)
DISEASE
Isaiah 53:4-5 AMP
4 Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.
Matthew 8:17 AMP - And thus He fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, He Himself took [in order to carry away] our weaknesses and infirmities and bore away our diseases.
SHAME
Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
FINANCES
2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV - For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9 AMP - For you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing), [in] that though He was [so very] rich, yet for your sakes He became [so very] poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied).
II. REMEMBER
A. Where your joy comes from
1. Godly love results in joy - Philemon 1:7
2. Godly fellowship results in joy - 2 John1:12
3. The primary source of joy however comes from God
Psalms 126:4-6 God says our weeping will turn to rejoicing as we return with harvest.
1 Thessalonians 1:5-7 KJV
5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
B. Take some time and reminisce with gratitude all the good things God has done for you
1. We just finished Thanksgiving. There is so much to be thankful for.
2. We achieve (some say “become”) what we focus on.
C. That the Joy of the Lord is your strength - Nehemiah 8:10
Bonus Insight: Joy and Healing go together
III. DO’S & DONT’S (A LITTLE PASTORAL WISDOM FOR THE HOLIDAYS!)
A. Do “choose” joy
Don’t let the devil “steal” your joy
B. Do surround yourself with “happy” people
Don’t surround yourself with “negative” people
C. Do “take responsibility” for your own actions and if necessary RISE ABOVE them.
Don’t blame everyone else for what is wrong in your life
D. Do “Reverence the Lord”. It brings life and health. - Proverbs 3:7-8
Don’t think you can slack in this area and maintain real joy!
IV. UNCOMMON BATTLES MEAN UNCOMMON VICTORIES AND UNCOMMON SPOILS OF WAR
A. David and Goliath - 1 Samuel 17
1. David had already been anointed King by the prophet Samuel but the people did not see him as a king.
2. David’s victory over Goliath set him up to one day be King of Israel. (Why the battle? - That’s why!)
• God will never allow you to war for His “entertainment.”
B. Gideon’s 300 - Judges 7
1. 300 men of valor with no fear and a lot of faith, who could follow “uncommon instructions” experienced one of the greatest victories in Biblical history.
2. They conquered a large hosts of Midianites with lamps, pictures, shouting and trumpets
C. Jehoshaphat, Jahaziel and the Praisers victory over the Moabites, Ammonites & Meunites.
1. Do a quick exposition of 1 Chronicles 20:1-28
Closing:
• Satan does not have a right to your joy
• Choose Joy!
• Today I want to pray with you for VICTORY over every loss, every disappointment, every battle that has stolen your joy.
• THIS IS YOUR DAY FOR A MIRACLE!!!
