Last time we said that the fruit of the spirit is Love, and because we have love the other 8 characteristics will begin to manifest in our lives, if we let it. The Bible says in (Romans 5:5) “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” These fruits should be manifesting in our daily lives, but they may not be.

I.   (PHIL 2:12) Says, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

A.    All of us have the fruit of the H.S. in us, but there is a part of “Working out our own salvation,” Bringing the fruit of the spirit to the surface.

1.      Last time we talked about Love. Today we’re going to talk about the 2nd one listed and that’s JOY.

II.    It’s through the work of Jesus that we have joy.

A.    Jesus’ birth brought joy. LUKE 2:10-11 Jesus birth not only brought joy, it brought great joy.

1.      Not only then, but now.

B.     Jesus' life brought joy. (ACT 10:38) “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (KJV)

1.      Wherever Jesus went, He brought joy, weather it be through His teaching, His ministry, His healing, His miracles, or even His prayer life.

C.    Jesus’ death brought joy - (REV 13:8) “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (KJV)

1.      In (JOHN 1:36) John the Baptist says that “Jesus is the Lamb of God.”

2.      That was a different saying for them at that time.

a.      It’s common for us, but for them only a literal lamb was called a lamb of God.

3.      ? How could Jesus’ death bring us joy?

a.      It’s because Jesus was the last sacrifice that had to be slain.

(1)   Through Jesus’ death we have the forgiveness of sin.

(2)   JOHN 1:29.

D.    Jesus’ resurrection brought joy.

1.      JOHN 14:19.

III.   Because He lives, we too shall live. (John 11:25-26 KJV) Says, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (26) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

A.    Jesus’ ascension brought joy.

1.      JOHN 14 Notice Jesus’ words just before His ascension.

2.      JOHN 14:1-3.

a.      They knew that wherever Jesus went they would go also.

3.      Listen to what the angels had to say after Jesus ascension.

a.      (ACT 1:11) “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (KJV)

4.      Not only are we going to be with the Lord, but we will also come back with Him to rule and reign.

IV.  There are two kinds of joy.

A.    There is a joy that anyone can have, Christians and non Christians.

1.      But this kind of joy will come and go depending on the situation.

a.      If things are going good then we have an external joy. The Word talks about sinners who were filled with joy. (JOB 20:5) Says, “The joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?”

b.      But there is also a joy that comes from the H.S.

2.      ZEP 3:17

a.      God is full of joy. He rejoices over us with singing.

3.      ROM 14:17

a.      (ROM 15:13) Says, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (KJV)

4.      1THES 1:6

a.      This V speaks about a joy of the Holy Ghost, or the Holy Spirit.

b.      The NIV says, “Joy given by the Holy Spirit.”

(1)   We have a joy that the World can not have.  

B.     Notice 1THES 1:6 again.

1.      This V is talking about joy through much affliction.

a.      Even when we’re going through some things that are not very pleasant, weather it be the storms of life or it be some other tests, trials or tribulations, we can still have that joy.

2.      There is a joy that comes from the H.S., but there’s more to it than just normal joy.

a.      1PET 1:7-9

(1)   Jude calls it “Exceeding Joy,” PETER calls it “Joy Unspeakable,” John says that your Joy May Be Full or the fullness of Joy, the Palmist calls it “Exceeding Joy.”  

3.      JOHN 16:22

a.      This kind of joy that comes from the Holy Ghost no man can take away from us.

(1)   It’s something that resides on the inside of us.

(2)   It doesn’t matter what the situation is, the joy will still be there.  

4.      2COR 12:7-9

a.      Paul said “I rather glory in my infirmities.” The word “Glory” can also mean “rejoice” and many times it is translated that way.

b.      Even though Paul was going through many buffetings from the messenger of Satan, he still had the Joy of the Lord on the inside.

C.    ? How are we going to get this Joy?

1.      PSA 16:11

a.      To get this fullness of Joy all you have to do is stay in God’s presence.

V.   It is possible to lose your Joy.

A.    In (PSA 51:12) the psalmist wrote “Restore unto me the Joy of thy salvation.”

B.     You can lose your joy through anger, criticism, pride, disobedience to God, depression.

1.    Look at ISA 61:3

a.      The word “garment” means to “wrap yourself.”

(1)   In other words to wrap yourself in praise for the spirit of heaviness.  

b.      The word “heaviness” from the expanded Strong’s concordance says that it means “dim, dull, colorless, be dark, faint.”

(1)   When things seem to be dim to you or even dull you need to put on the garment of praise.  

2.      Sin is another area that can cause you to lose your joy.

a.      Sin breaks our fellowship with God.

(1)   REPENT

3.      (ISA 51:11) “Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy {shall be} upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; {and} sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” (KJV)

C.    Get back in the presence of God.

1.      Satan will do everything that he can to steel your Joy.

2.      PRO 17:22

a.      The word “MERRY” here also means “JOYFUL, REJOICE, REJOICING.” But just the opposite can be true.

(1)   The Bible talks about how sin, weather it be bitterness or something else, it can cause “ROTTENNESS TO THE BONES,” or some sickness,  

3.      We need to tell ourselves to rejoice.

a.      We have a lot to rejoice about.

(1)   Rejoice because your names are written in the Lambs book of life, Rejoice that the Lord has given us the victory over the enemy.

(2)   (PSA 132:9) SAYS, “Let thy saints shout for joy."

(3)   (1TH 5:16) Says, “Rejoice evermore.” (KJV)

(4)   (PHI 4:4) Says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: {and} again I say, Rejoice.” (KJV)

b.      The joy of the Lord is our strength.

Tabernacle 8\27\89 and WOLCC Sun AM 6/26/94 & WOLCC Sunday, April 09, 2000