Fruit of the Spirit: Joy and Peace

We discussed last week the purpose of Paul listing the “fruit” of the Spirit to accurately diagnose one who is led by the Spirit instead of living for the flesh – . Today we will examine two of the symptoms that Paul lists: joy and peace.

Galatians 5:16–18 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

I) Purpose of listing

We have shown that these are not commands of Paul, although they are commanded in other contexts

Many might think these are the only exceptions, yet Paul commands Christians to rejoice in many epistles, particularly Philippians – ;

2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Philippians 3:1 ESV

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

Likewise, Jesus commends the peacemakers – – and we are commanded to pursue peace – ;

Matthew 5:9 ESV

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Hebrews 12:14 ESV

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Romans 12:19 ESV

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Yet in the Galatian context, Paul is teaching that joy and peace will be result of the Spirit leading us

II) Why we rejoice

We rejoice in the word of God – ;

Psalm 19:8 ESV

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

Jeremiah 15:16 ESV

Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.

We rejoice in faith – ;

Psalm 28:7 ESV

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Psalm 33:21 ESV

For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.

We rejoice in worship –

Psalm 43:4 ESV

Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

We rejoice at our salvation – ; – even in persecution – ; ;

Psalm 13:5 ESV

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

1 Peter 1:6–9 ESV

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Luke 6:22–23 ESV

“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

Acts 5:40–42 ESV

and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

2 Corinthians 7:4 ESV

I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.

III) Why we have peace

Because God grants peace to His people – ; ;

Leviticus 26:6 ESV

I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. And I will remove harmful beasts from the land, and the sword shall not go through your land.

1 Chronicles 22:9 ESV

Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days.

Psalm 29:11 ESV

May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Common prayer among Jews –

Numbers 6:22–27 ESV

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

This was the purpose of Jesus – ; ;

Luke 2:14 ESV

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

John 14:27 ESV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Particularly for those who trust in Him –

Isaiah 26:3 ESV

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

In Christ we have peace with God – ;

Romans 5:1 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:14–17 ESV

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

IV) Connection between joy and peace

Unique relationship between these two blessings – , ; – as found in His word

Psalm 119:162 ESV

I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.

Psalm 119:165 ESV

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

Isaiah 55:11–12 ESV

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

His kingdom is the source of joy and peace – ; – when we believe

Romans 14:17 ESV

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 ESV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Concl: Everyone would like a life of joy and peace. The great irony is that they will come when we allow the Spirit of God to lead us from within, instead of fleshly self-indulgence.