The Joy of the Lord

Nehemiah 8:10 KJV 1900

10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

title: Joy of the Lord

John 15:11 (KJV 1900)

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

John 16:22 (KJV 1900)

22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

John 16:24 (KJV 1900)

24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

John 17:13 (KJV 1900)

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

165 times in the OT and NT, joy is talked about...

Why in the world is this world such an unhappy place!

Why in the world is the church such an unhappy place?

I look at the way that people interact around town and think no wonder they can’t get anyone to come to church with them!

I look at the way they worship and wonder if they even believe what they sing...

I look at the way people pray and wonder if they are about to die from mortal agony…

I look at the sadness on peoples face and wonder if they have ever experienced the goodness of God!

The Bible has a lot to say about joy.

Old Testament:

Commanded to be joyful - 10x

Joy is not a feeling but a response!

Sacrifice brings - 2x

Event based joy - 12 x

Music - 3 x

Joy of obedience - 49 x

Joy removed because of disobedience - 16 x

Perhaps if you are not experiencing the Joy you should maybe you should check your obedience!

The Law of the OT is Obedience = Joy!

New Testament:

Only twice is joy based on an event

Only 7 times does NT joy based in your obedience

Birth of Jesus - 4 x

Heaven - 2 x

Spiritual authority/covering brings joy - 5 x

Repentance brings joy - 2 x

Resurrected Christ brought joy to everyone who saw him

Jesus is the source of joy - 2 x

He turns sorrow into joy - 2 x

Faithfulness brings joy - 2 x

Man of God brings joy

People of God brings joy - 5 x

Suffering - 5 x

Holy Ghost - 21 x

The Law of the NT is Spirit = Joy!

So why are you not smiling today?

Serving God is not a solemn occasion...