Fruit of the Spirit – Joy
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such things there is no law. [NKJV]
OPENING REMARKS
Study of Fruit of the Holy Spirit - Joy
The passage of Galatians 5:22-23 gives the reader nine (9) particular aspects that make up the Fruit of the Spirit. These are: Love – Joy – Peace – Longsuffering – Kindness – Goodness – Faithfulness – Gentleness – Self-Control.
The study at this time will look at Joy – the second aspect of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
INTRODUCTION
1. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every morning that we get up?
The sun was shining –
The birds were singing –
There was not found a care in the world.
.. Now that would almost be like heaven to us and oh how our day would start off to a joyous celebration.
.. As Christians, we would be praising and thanking God for His wondrous grace.
2. However, often:
We find that it is raining –
There is static on the radio instead of music –
We stayed awake half the night worrying about everything that we can possibly think will go wrong - usually at this point we are not found lifting up in trust to God.
.. And when things are going so well:
. If married - our loving spouse wakes up and looks at us and says – “I slept like a log, what a beautiful day this is going to be, and I just can’t wait to get started. Come on honey, let’s go!”
OR
. If single – the first person we meet is so cheerful it makes us wonder what this world is coming to.
NOTE: Which then makes you think – if I only had the power to get it done – these obnoxious joyful people would definitely be going in for a personality transplant? [LOL]
I. DEFINITION OF JOY
Dictionary – [Considered] (1) A strong feeling of happiness; gladness; delight. (2) A state of contentment or satisfaction. (3) Anything that causes delight or gladness [F & W Dict. 1979 – 352].
Greek – Chara (Strong # 5479) means: “joy or delight” - [Vine Exp. Dict. of NT Words – 335];
The experience of gladness” - [Bauer/Danker - Greek-English Lexicon – 1077];
(1) literally joy, as a feeling of inner happiness rejoicing, gladness, delight … (2) by metonymy [a figure of speech … associated w/]; (a) the person or thing that is the cause or object of joy or happiness …; (b) a state or condition of happiness or blessedness … - [Friberg/Friberg/Miller - Analytical Lexicon of the Greek NT- 406].
Summary – Joy (chara) is a strong inner feeling (the experience) from happiness, gladness, or delight; it is a state or condition of contentment or satisfaction with the cause or object of one’s joy or happiness [BEA]. It is cheerfulness.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
For who is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you [church at Thessalonica]? For you are our glory and joy! [HCSB]
II. ASPECT OF JOY
Every Christian has the capacity of joy within their lives because the Holy Spirit dwells within them
- Ephesians 4:30 | Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. And since we are sealed by the Spirit and since it is an aspect of His fruit [Text] – joy is to be found in us.
. Just as the Holy Spirit’s fruit aspect of Love is manifested in our lives so too MUST the aspect of Joy be manifested in our lives if we are children of God - because He [the Holy Spirit] produces fruit in our lives and FRUIT is an evidence of who we are [Matthew 7:15-20; 12:33].
A. What “joy” is not based on –
1) It is not based on Happy Feelings
Happiness is a feeling that can change as often as the weather does.
a. SPORTS - Using basketball as an illustration – how often it is when our favorite team is up by several points (truly, it is fair to say that you are very happy) but then the other teams has a scoring run and you can know it they are now ahead in the game (truly, at this point your happiness has turned to either anger or sorrow).
b. WEATHER - Here in the Ohio Valley - One moment it is sunny and bright and the next it is cloudy and gloomy. – You know the old saying around here, “If you do not like the weather, just stick around another day or so and it will change.” Then just by sticking around for a few more hours and you happiness or sadness (depending on the weather) will change.
c. LIFE ITSELF - You wake up in the morning happy and smiling but by the end of the work day you are sad and frowning.
d. SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLE - Rich Young Ruler
Mark 10:17-22
Now … one came running, knelt before Him [Jesus], and asked … what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? … Then Jesus, looking at him … said … One thing you lack: Go … sell … give … come, take up your cross, and follow Me. But he was sad at this word, and went away grieved, for he had great possessions.
*** This young ruler approached Jesus in a happy state and left in a sadden one!
2) It is not based on Enthusiastic Feelings
.. How easy it is to work one’s own self into feelings of gladness.
. We all too often want to be happy and because of that desire we may attempt to put our self in such of a position with our own self-developed feelings.
.. In religion this is a dangerous place to find one’s self – creating a false joy will not save you.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?
NOTE: Salvation is not a warm feeling or sensation; it is not a vision or the hearing of a voice of an angel or God. Salvation is repenting of your sins, trusting the finished work of Christ Jesus on your behalf and believing that God has raised Him from the dead guaranteeing your hope for eternal life.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you – unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
.. Salvation is in Christ – not feelings my friend, not feelings at all.
3) It is not based on Circumstances
.. If you think having the world by its tail will give you joy – think again!
. Money – ask a rich person what he/she wants – the reply, “Just another dollar.”
. Cars – ask a car owner what he/she wants – the reply, “The newest model.”
. Position – ask a worker what he/she wants – the reply, “A better job.”
. Power – ask your boss what he/she wants – the reply, “To be their boss’s boss.”
. Retirement – ask a retiree what he/she wants – the reply, “Something to do.”
Matthew 6:19-21
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
NOTE: Joy is not based on being happy at the moment, or enthusiastic feelings, or circumstances – ALL OF THESE SITUATIONS CAN CHANGE – thus causing your happiness to go to the way side.
B. What “joy” is based on an object –
1) Gladness -
.. Deep seated thankfulness that you are where you are; no matter the circumstance because God is sovereign and His providence is being carried out in your life.
Romans 8:28-31
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom he predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us; who is against us?
.. What else in our life’s experiences can compare with divine mercy toward us? The Creator has redeemed our lost souls from a certain Hell through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus – Romans 8:1.
Paul and Silas rejoiced in God despite their situation.
Acts 16:25
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Adam Clarke
[Joy is t]he exultation that arises from a sense of God’s mercy communicated to the soul in the pardon of its iniquities, and the prospect of that eternal glory of which it has the foretaste in the pardon of sin [Bible Navigator CD Bible Study – Commentary section].
NOTE: Gladness is not like happiness that changes with every direction of the wind, but it is solid rejoicing over the fact that God because of His love (agape) has not forsaken you [cf. – Hebrew 13:5-6].
2) Dependence on Christ –
.. Joy is found in its steadfastness of its object that does not change.
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
.. That object of joy is Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Master, our Lord – Who is our joy!
Revelation 1:8
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the End, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
Luke 10:1-20
.. the Lord appointed seventy … and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. … Then the seventy returned with joy saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name. And He said to them … Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.
.. Please understand not a person in this room deserves to go to or to be in heaven – all of us are sinners who deserve God’s wrath punished in Hell. But by His mercy our names are written in heaven. Because of this we rejoice.
NOTE HERE:
. You can rejoice over your wealth –
. You can rejoice over your intelligence –
. You can rejoice over your health –
. You can rejoice over all of the great attributes you can possibly dream you have even to the point of having the ability to do miracle –
. It may be true that you indeed have all of these wonderful gifts and are able to exercise each and every one –
. BUT if your name in not written in heaven – THOSE THINGS ARE NOTHING.
NOTE: What good does it do for a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul – [Matthew 16:26]?
.. Rejoice in not what you have – but in who you know – that is: Jesus Christ as your savior!
Job 1:21
God gives and takes away.
. So what do you depend on for joy in your salvation? – It is Christ!
. So what is the object of your salvation? – It is Christ!
. So my friend do not look to yourself to find or discover joy – instead look to Jesus Christ [Acts 4:10-12 and John 14:6].
CONCLUSION
Looking to Christ is the only hope for joy to one, like us, in whose life sin has brought about hopelessness and despair.
Ephesians 2:5, 8-10
… when we were dead in trespasses, [God – v. 4] made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) … For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. [NKJV]
Joy is Perpetual -
Our children sing:
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart
Down in my heart
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart to stay.
.. Know full well - our joy found in Christ does not stop – its down in our heart, my friend, to stay.
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice!
Matthew 25:21
His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things … Enter into the joy of your lord.
INVITATION
Perhaps you are saying - I would like to have this joy? How can I obtain it?
1) Believer –
.. Know - it is already an aspect of the Spirit’s fruit -
.. Therefore –
. Read the Bible – God’s Word will tell you of His joy.
. Trust God to fulfill His Word.
. Pray to God – Prayer will reveal the joy of God’s service.
. Attend Church – Fellowship with each other strengthens the bond of joy.
2) Non-Believer –
.. Everything in life will eventually lose its joy to you.
. Look in the mirror and you will see yourself wasting away.
. Look at your material possessions and you will see those things wearing out.
. The whole world is winding down.
. Everything is wasting away.
----- [adapted – from “Joy – Fruit of the Spirit” a sermon by Melvin M. Newman on Galatians 5:22 – SermonCentral.com] -----
.. So why do you continue to place your joy upon things that will not last?
.. Why not flee to Christ who will give you joy beyond measure – joy that will not fade away nor diminish.
John 15:11
These things [His words of comfort to His disciples – 14:1-15:10] I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
.. May you come to have such joy!
.. May you come today!
Come Worship The Lord
.. Our Invitation is open to all –
. Come to Christ
. Come if you need to pray
. Come be a part of us
. Come share with us what the Lord would have you to do
Bruce Allen
October 19, 2003
Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church
June 01, 2008 (Revised)
Underwood Baptist Church
bea0210@hotmail.com
www.pilgrimskeyboard.blogspot.com
