Joy

Joy is a pursuit that many have and yet very few find. Lets begin by looking into where Joy is not found.

Not in Unbelief - Voltaire was famous for many things. Perhaps the greatest of which was his criticism of Christianity. He wrote: "I wish I had never been born."

Not in Pleasure - Lord Byron who lived in the late 1700’s to early 1800’s was a major figure of the Romantic movement, and is regarded as being among the greatest of British poets. He wrote: "The worm, the canker, and grief are mine alone."

Not in Position and Fame - Lord Beaconsfield twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom he enjoyed both position and fame. He wrote: "Youth is a mistake; manhood a struggle; old age a regret."

Not in Military Glory - Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so, he wept in his tent, before he said, "There are no more worlds to conquer."

Not in Money - Jim Carrey - “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.”

Luke 2:10 (NASB95)

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

The Greek word for Joy is “chara” which means “Gladness or a Reason for Gladness”

Our reason for gladness is Jesus Christ and each Christmas we get to celebrate the memory and incredible, hope, peace, joy, and love brought to us through Christ!

Let’s look today at JOY and how you and I can obtain it.

JOY

J = Jesus

We find Joy by being in Jesus presence.

Psalm 16:11 (NASB95)

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

We find Joy by reading God’s Word

Psalm 19:8 (NASB95)

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

We find Joy by doing what is right… which is obeying God’s Word.

John 15:9–11 (NASB95)

“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Joy begins and ends in following Jesus.

But there are other ways to feel moments of Joy and that is through others.

O = Others

We were not designed to be alone. There is a reason by solitary confinement is effective… we are created to be with others.

When God created Adam He created Eve, because man does not do well alone… Gen. 2:18

Genesis 2:18 (NASB95)

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”

One of the best things about Christmas for many of us is not so much what we receive but what we are able to give to others. To see smiling face as they open a present or watching the kids rip into their presents with anticipation and excitement.

We are reminded of Jesus words in Acts…

Acts 20:35 (NASB95)

“In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Jesus was ultimate example of giving to others. His whole earthly ministry was about others.

What are the greatest commandments?

Matthew 22:37–39 (NASB95)

And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

“This is the great and foremost commandment. “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

If you are seeking Joy this Christmas… it must start with Jesus, then others. I have found when I am giving of myself to others, even if I do not initially want to often I find joy from the experience. God made us to serve others.

Y = Yourself

You won’t find a verse in the Bible that speaks about finding Joy in yourself. Joy comes from Jesus and serving others. But are there things that we can do for ourselves to help in the joy department?

How about gratitude and thankfulness?

Psalm 9:1 (NASB95)

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.

When we have a heart of thankfulness our external outlook on life begins to change. We realize all the wonderful things God has done for us.

How about Praise and Worship?

Psalm 100 (NASB95)

A Psalm for Thanksgiving. Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.

Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving

And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.

Scientific study has proven the massive affects of Praise and Worship!

“Every morning, we wake up with 300 million more brain cells. When we worship, gamma waves are created in our brain that can actually help us feel the presence of God.”

Research has shown that as you worship, you increase in wisdom and there’s an increase in your capacity to understand the goodness of God.

As you worship, your brain is comprehending wisdom from the living Word helping grow your capacity to understand that God absolutely adores you.

Interestingly, just seven minutes of worship every day will change your brain.

What happens when we worship? We experience Joy!

Proverbs 17:22 (NASB95)

A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Joy is a choice… We find it Jesus, We maintain it in Others, and we choose to experience it within ourselves.

Where then is real joy found?

J = Jesus Christ

O = Others

Y = Yourself, when we practice thankfulness, gratitude, and when we sing and worship.

Let’s pray.