KINGDOM CHARACTER: Joy

Nehemiah 8:10 “Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.””

SONG: The Joy of the Lord is My Strength

It’s easy to walk on smooth, level ground, but what about rocky, steep trails?…? [OH?…!]

First part of Nehemiah 8.10.

C H Spurgeon’s life… [depression; tragic trauma, job stress, ailments (gout, Bright’s Disease (kidneys), rheumatism, & neuritis)

…AND, the Apostle Paul [in Philippians]

From the Crucible, JOY! [Philippians]

CRUCIBLE: A ceramic or metal container (pot), used to heat up materials (usually metals) for refinement (purification) for various uses. [skim off the dross, etc.]

Yes…the people of Israel in Nehemiah’s-Ezra’s day; C. H. Spurgeon…also PAUL in Philippians…

Joy & Rejoicing!! [6x…at least SIX TIMES!]

Philippians 1:3–5 “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” [Joy, thinking of them…from PRISON <— [DON’T MISS THIS]]

Philippians 1:21–25 “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better—but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,” [Joy, amid struggles of this life (depression?)]

Philippians 2:12–18 “Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.” [Joy, Biblical faithfulness amid trials/opposition; …Have I mentioned this is from PRISON?]

Philippians 3:1 “In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you.” [Joy, and needed reminders]

Philippians 4:1 “So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.” [Joy, of a blessed bond]

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” [Joy, always & everywhere; crescendo!; …Have I mentioned this is from PRISON?]

Refinements of JOY [Spurgeon’s Sermon]

SERMON: On February 6, 1881 (age 46…died at 57)

Cultivating Joy yields… [CHS said Joy ought to be carefully cultivated—fitting analogy/illustration (cultivate = to prepare or prepare and use for the raising of crops; to foster the growth of]

Joy…as its own reward.

Spurgeon said, “Who would not rejoice if he could? Who would not rejoice when God commands him? Rejoicing will nerve you for life’s duties. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” A man who goes about Christ’s work in an unwilling, miserable spirit will do it badly and feebly. He may do it earnestly, but there will be no life or energy about him.” ...Joy is a blessing in-and-of-itself. Joy also sets the table for a dynamic, God-honoring perspective on life each day. The heart of worship (Joy in God…his goodness and greatness) is the experience of contentment, enthusiasm, peace, et al.

Joy…as a great preventative.

Spurgeon said, “The man (one) who feels the joy of the Lord will not covet wordly joy. He will not be tempted to make a God of his possessions or of his talents, or of anything else. He will say, ‘I have joy in God; these things I am very thankful for, but they are not my joy.’”… This aspect solidifies contentment and proper priorities…avoiding jealousy, strife, etc.

Joy…as preparation for our future.

Spurgeon said, “We are going where, if we learn to sing with sacred joy, our education will be useful; for the first thing we shall hear when we get into heaven will undoubtedly be, ‘Hallelujah to God and the Lamb;’ and if we have been joyful on earth we shall say, ‘Ah, I am at home here.’ To enter heaven with a joyful soul is only to rise from downstairs to the upper chamber where the music knows no discord. It is the same song in both places”… Joy here breaks into eternal joy in heaven!

Joy…as inspiration for service.

Spurgeon said, “Hear how the sailors when they pull the rope will shout and sing, and work all the better for their cheery notes. I do not believe our soldiers would march to battle with half their present courage if they tramped along in silence. Beat the drums! Let the trumpet sound forth its martial note! Every man is eager for the fray while soul-stirring music excites him. Let your heart make music unto God, and you will fight valiantly for the kingdom of your Lord.” …Joy is as noticeable as melancholy, or even disdain. Despise the celebration of God in this life…then don’t wonder why you seem unmotivated for ministry…or unable to find those drawn to you to be served.

Joy…as a weapon against Satan’s schemes.

Spurgeon said, “I am of the same mind as Luther, who, when he heard any very bad news, used to say, ‘Come, let us sing a psalm, and spite the devil.’ There is nothing like it: whenever anything happens that is rough and ugly, and seems to injure the kingdom of Christ, say to yourself, ‘Bless the Lord, glory be to his name.’ If the Lord has been dishonoured by the falling away of a false professor, or the failure of the ministry in any place, let us give him all the more honour ourselves, and in some measure make up for all that has happened amiss.” …Take up the shield of faith with JOY and see how incredibly well you extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one!

CONCL—

JOY…it pleases God, blesses us…and through us blesses others!

Luke 2:10 “But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:” [Luke 2:11 “Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”]

James 1:2–4 “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”

Jude 24 “Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy,”

INVITATION:

Salvation

Service

Joy

Galatians 5:23 CSB

gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.

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