Joy

Man is fond of counting his troubles but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

5531 I thought God’s purpose was to make me full of happiness and joy. It is, but it is happiness and joy from God’s standpoint, not from mine.

Oswald Chambers

Joy is not an accident of temperament or an unpredictable providence; joy is a matter of choice.

J. I. Packer

Luke 2:10-12 “And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring good news to you of great joy which will be for all the people: that today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. And this will be the sign for you: you will find the baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.””

1 Peter 1:8-9 “whom, although you have not seen, you love; in whom now you believe, although you do not see him, and you rejoice greatly with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Joy is not reserved only for the future when Jesus will be clearly seen at His revelation. Even now His followers love Him, believe in Him, and rejoice with an inexpressible joy. The end result is eternal salvation-the completion of Gods saving work.

Composite Gospel: Parallel Passages 215: Jesus tells the parable of the lost coin

215: JESUS TELLS THE PARABLE OF THE LOST COIN

Content: Teaching

Themes: Angels; Friendship; Joy; Neighbors; Parables; Repentance; Sin

Speakers

• Jesus

• Woman with Lost Coin

Addressees

• Pharisees

• A Friend

• Scribes complaining about Jesus

Other Participants

• Pharisees asking about Sabbath

Things

• Drachma

Events

Jesus’ Judean and Perean ministry › Jesus teaches several more parables › The Pharisees grumble and Jesus tells three parables in response

Luke 15:8–10

8Or what woman who has ten drachmas, if she loses one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the drachma that I had lost!’ 10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

216: JESUS TELLS THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SO