“The Source of Our Joy”

INTRODUCTION.

Joy - Closely related to gladness and happiness, although joy is more a state of being than an emotion; a result of choice. One of the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22–23). Having joy is part of the experience of being a Christian. (The Lexham Bible Dictionary.)

575 - Joy / Rejoice

Happy 19

Romans 12:9–18 NASB95

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

MESSAGE.

Jesus.

Our joy comes from Jesus.

Romans 12:12 NASB95

12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

1. Rejoicing in Hope.

Romans 5:1-2.

Romans 5:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

2. Persevering in Tribulation.

Hebrews 10:35-39.

Hebrews 10:35–39 NASB95

35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. 37 For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. 38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.

3. Devoted to Prayer.

Acts 1:14.

Acts 1:14 NASB95

14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Others.

Our joy comes from not thinking about ourselves but about others.

1. Help Others.

Romans 12:13 NASB95

13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

2. Bless others.

Romans 12:14 NASB95

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Bless = to invoke (or enact) divine favor, often implying a positive disposition or kind actions toward the recipient.

Matthew 5:44 “44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Luke 6:28 “28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

1 Corinthians 4:12 “12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;”

3. Live life with others.

Romans 12:15 NASB95

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

You.

Our joy comes from our devotion to others.

Romans 12:16–18 NASB95

16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

2 Corinthians 13:11.

2 Corinthians 13:11 NASB95

11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

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

J. I. Packer

CONCLUSION.

Song -

Lyrics:

Verse 1

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart Where? Down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart! I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart Down in my heart to stay

Chorus

And I’m so happy, so very happy I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart Down in my heart. And I’m so happy, so very happy I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.

Verse 2

I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus down in my heart Where? Down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart! I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus down in my heart Where? Down in my heart to stay.

Repeat Chorus

Verse 3

And if the Devil doesn’t like it he can sit on a tack! Ouch! Sit on a tack! Ouch! Sit on a tack! And if the Devil doesn’t like it he can sit on a tack! Ouch! Sit on a tack to stay!

Repeat Chorus to finish