The Fruit of the Spirit and the Crucified Christian (Joy)

Joy - the vocal, loud expression of gratitude, happiness, or thanksgiving! Joy is something that cannot be hid.

Psalm 5:11 “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: Let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”

When the women sang after David had slain Goliath.

1 Samuel 18:6–7 “And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.”

When the children of Israel saw the temple of the foundation being laid after 70 years of captivity.

Ezra 3:10–13 “And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.”

The Persecution of Joy (vs.19-24)

We know that all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. When we’re on the mountain top, it’s easy to be joyful. When there’s problems, it may be difficult for us to find joy.

Satan can’t take our soul, but he can take our joy. They were brought to wicked people and were beaten, bloodied, and bound.

The Proclaiming of Joy (vs.25)

Their joy wasn’t based on the fact that they were in a prison, but their joy was based on the fact that they were in a person!

Their joy didn’t come from their circumstances, but came from their Christ.

Their joy didn’t come from their blood, but from someone else’s blood!

Their joy didn’t come from their bruises, but from someone else’s bruises!

Their joy didn’t come from their chains, but from the change that happened in them!

Their joy didn’t come from the godless, but come from God!

The Persisting of Joy

Since Christ said that no man can take our joy, how can we oftentimes lose our joy?

Sin (Galatians 5:19) will hinder joy.

Lot vexed his righteous soul

2 Peter 2:7–8 “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed (tortured) his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)”

Walking in the Spirit (Hebrews 12:1-2)(Philippians 2:5-8)(Acts 16:6-25) Paul and Silas saw some converted (which brought joy), some were not converted and the message they brought also brought persecutions and problems their way, but they still had JOY. WHY???????.....

YOU WILL HAVE JOY WHEN YOU ARE OBEDIENT TO THE SCRIPTURES AND OBEDIENT TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

John 16:22 “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.”