Nazarene Sunday School



A Foundation Builder word on Joy

A] Philippians 2:12 thru. 18; (Read in/for context all)

A1] Philp 4: 4; Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice! (A good chorus verse).

1] The theme of these verses I want to look at is “Joy”. The verse is about joy being manifested where joy may be difficult to find under ones present circumstances.

It’s interesting that in some cases, the word “joy” and “rejoice” have the same meaning as they use the same Bible word reference number of 5463 in Strong’s Concordance .

2] The word for this month of Christmas has to be “joy”. The world could use some joy.

a] Fortunately many folks do sense a spirit of joy this time of the year. Like the song “Joy to the world the Lord has come”,

b] Perhaps a little brief reminiscing about Christmas’ past may be in order.

I can remember like many of you I’m sure in your own life, when I was a young and growing up, things were a lot simpler back then.

1] Vivid memories of good times, although we were considered poor we always looked forward to Christmas. The schools back then even had Christmas activities. The town’s stores and markets windows were painted with winter scenes reflecting the spirit of the season.

2] We never got much for Christmas, but we did good, (that’s relative of course, a friend told me he got an orange and couple of walnuts) but we always enjoyed and appreciated everything.

Did I mention a big dinner with all the trimmings, family and friends were stopping by, what grand memories indeed.

3] But after the glitter is past and the stockings that were hung by the chimney with care are gone, do you/me/us still have joy?

That’s the message here.

3] Gal 5:22; and the Fruit of the Spirit is; Love, Joy, Peace; these words pair very well together. .

a] It seems important to the Lord for us to experience this “Joy” in our walk all the time, since it’s listed right after Love, the foremost of all the fruit.

b] As we know when a person is Born Again, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in them (I John 4:4) and as a result the Fruit of the Spirit should manifest itself right quickly. In other words, the Holy Spirit “produces” this fruit in ones life, this is a Divine act of God. The plan anyway.

1] What exactly is “Joy”? Per Zondervan’s Bible Dictionary; Joy is,

1st = an emotion excited by expectation or acquisition of good: Something temporal that brings joy may not be bad, just not lasting or permanent in most/many cases.

2nd = it’s also an attribute of God, Attributed as coming from God, as in Fruit of Spirit, Divine provision, as discussed prior, etc

3rd = and should not be confused with happiness, which depends largely on happenings or worldly happiness as a replacement of genuine joy. You may want to read this again.

4th = as real joy may be expressed even in affliction. It’s when you ain’t (from song of old) got a dime and the bills are due, and you are rejoicing because your source of joy is in and of God, Amen

(Modified and expanded text for clarity).

4] Romans 14:17; For the Kingdom of God is not meat (food) and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

a] This verse not only tells what joy isn’t, but what it is!

b] Below is some insights from J. Cahn Devotional on joy I thought worth sharing

as he brings out a good point on middleman thinking. In other words, things that we place in the middle (between us and God and/or His joy) as a substitute to replace what we are really looking for, which is genuine joy.

c] So, here’s the question; where do most folks find joy? (Who can really know?)

d] Do you think most people would find joy and happiness in terms of acquiring something? If you think that, you would be right. Examples;

1] Have you ever heard, When I get married, that’s got to be it, Ms. Right is my ticket to joy. Although there are many marriages made in Heaven, choose wisely as many are not.

2] How about money? I used to be poor and miserable, trust me the more money I made didn’t add to my joy, many rich folks still looking for joy in this as well.

3] Are you falling for this one? The “big promotion”, I’ll finally be someone, oh the joy of it, In Charge, Big Boss, rolling in the big bucks (money) and prestige.

4] How about the mansion mentality down here line? Trying to keep up with the Jones’. Don’t build your mansion down here on planet earth.

5] This one gets many, It’s got to be a car, after-all you are what you drive right? Commercials are geared to folks that think that way. Car payment, Insurance, maintenance, gas. I bet you’re not so joyful anymore, look at Craigslist as Love/joy wore off along with the new car smell.

6] I’d be willing to bet some have already learned some lessons on these examples in their life already.

d] These few examples are often what we would deem conditions that many place in the equation to provide them the joy they need to be happy.

1] As we see, things like money, love of certain people, success, comfort, security is setting up a situation in which you must receive joy and fulfillment through an object, event or circumstance. Never good.

2] “Things” can never bring a lasting joy. It’s never a good idea to be dependant on circumstances to bring joy.

e] One of the biggest problems is in making “things” your joy, is that as circumstances change, it makes your joy level change with it.

f] So, once again, where does real joy come from? You know.

5] Psalm 16:11; Thou will show me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness of Joy, at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

a] This is considered a Messianic Psalm, as many verses allude to the Lord.

b] David guided by the Holy Spirit brings out the fact that in the presence of the Lord (in ones life) there is joy. In other words, He alone is our source of joy, no one else can guarantee that.

c] And why not? After all, He is Lord of your life right? If salvation with all it’s incumbent blessings of missing hell, life in Heaven, being part of the family of God, my family with the Lord don’t bring joy, tell me what does? Time to rejoice!

d] It’s been 41 years ago I left the worldly thinking and all that goes with behind, but I remember vividly a life of no rhyme or reason for life and no real lasting joy or peace. I never want to go back to that. By the Grace of God, never will.

6] Nehemiah 8:10b; For the joy of the Lord is your strength.

a] What does that mean? Per Strong’s; “Strength” = 4581 (Heb) refuge, stronghold, fortress, place of protection, helmet,

b] If you are walking at this level of joy, you’ve got the real deal, this is from the Lord. This joy will be your bridge over hard times.

1] I’ve had my share of hard times, but the joy of knowing God is with me, ye in me, has strengthened and sustained me through every obstacle

c] A life full of the joy of the Lord is a confident life, a child of God sees beyond the fluff and stuff, and his delight is in the real joys of life that are from above.

d] Remember the old tune? This joy that I got, the world didn’t give it to me (X3) and the world can’t take it away.

e] A strong message comes from the old movie played the British guy Alastair Sim in 1951, the Christmas Carol, I loved it.

1] The part about Scrooge, a miserly old soul. Many remember the story the three Angels took him on a journey of his life. The last stop was the grave, of which he was cast in head - long. However when he awakened the next morning he realized he didn’t die as in the dream, he deemed he had a second chance, he wasn’t dead. Resultant he jumped, he leaped, he shouted, he gave the maid a raise and bought the biggest turkey he could find and gave it to his faithful employee. He said, “I shouldn’t feel this good”. True, but you do.

2] And to that “I” can attest, me either, I shouldn’t feel this good, but like him, I got a 2nd chance as well. Thank you Lord!!

f] By receiving the Lord Jesus, you’ll have all the joy you’ll ever want.

“Joy to the world, the Lord has come”. Merry Christmas.

“Footnote”

# If you feel this outline has enriched you in some way, please drop this Ministry a line to let us know on our Contact Page, Blessings, Pastor Tom

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