Joy of the Lord

Nehemiah 8:10

welcome

recap last week a little and inform that we will continue upon my return

introduce film and play film

talk about film (thank you Michael for what you do)

depression and finding strength in Happiness

so today I want to talk about two things = Joy and Happiness

think of today as a preview or trailer to a bigger sermon we will dive into here soon

happiness comes and goes

talk about sports

talk about popularity

talk about finances

happiness came and then left real quickly

Nehemiah 8:10 ESV

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Lets build context

The twelve tribes of Israel were living in exile and Nehemiah was serving as cupbearer to the King in Persia.

This meant he was one of the King’s most trusted aides.

Nehemiah knew that some of the Israelites had returned to Jerusalem but the walls had been destroyed so they were in a vulnerable position.

Nehemiah prayed and fasted for months and eventually asked the King if he could return to his homeland to rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem.

The King allowed him to go. The book of Nehemiah shows how through trial and danger Nehemiah rebuilds the walls, and then when they have finished, the people gather and hear the word of the Lord read aloud.

It is a significant moment in the history of the people of Israel. There they were, establishing their city again, and the very first thing they did was to listen to the word of God.

so what is the difference between joy and happiness

happiness is a thermometer it gauges temperature and conditions and it is always changing

talk on this

joy is a thermostat it controls temperature it is not changing

talk on this

Happiness is cosmetic—most of us look better with a happy face. But you don’t have to always go around with a grin on your face. Jesus had sorrow, to the point of sweating blood in Gethsemane, but through it all He had joy.

Joy deals with inward character. When happiness sometimes goes away, joy is intensified because that is all you have, and you have to depend upon Jesus.

once again we look at Nehemiah 8.10

Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV)

And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

so what is joy? what does steadfast joy look like?

it is steadfast in sorrow

John 16:20 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

it triumphs through the trials of life = Do you have tribulation? Of course, you do. That means you need joy.

In a dismal prison, hungry, cold, suffering in the sewage on the floor, the Apostle Paul said…

2 Corinthians 7:4 (ESV)

I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.

and this one is powerful because joy is lasting in loss

Hebrews 10:34 ESV

For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

preach on this and recap the sermon

conclude

pray

HOLY SPIRIT TAKE OVER….