Quick Connect - Joy

Paul writes in Galatians:

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Last week Pastor John spoke about love, but this week our topic is joy. I find joy an interesting topic to have at a time like this because many so people are having a difficult time finding joy right now. And I think that is because prior to this pandemic, most people tried to find joy in the things of this world. In material wealth, hobbies, social events, etc. The issue is that this world and all the things in it, are temporary. True joy is found isn’t found in the temporary but in the everlasting and in something or more particularly in someone, that we can’t see.

See, I love what the Apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:

English Standard Version Chapter 1

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, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Joy flows from the love of Christ even though we can’t see Him. It is always there, even when we struggle to see it. The Apostle Paul understood that. Through all the suffering and trials that he went through in his life, even when he couldn’t see Jesus or the work that He was doing through His Apostles, he never lost his sense of joy in Christ. That’s why Paul writes

Philippians 4:4 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

As believers in Christ, we can’t help but feel it! Knowing that on Easter morning, Jesus rose from the dead to defeat sin, death, and the devil once and for all, and that with Him, He brought inexpressible joy! That joy is not temporary. It lasts through the darkest of days and the darkest of nights.

So where’s your joy today? Do you find it in the temporary? Or in the glorious resurrection of Christ, because He is Risen! He is Risen indeed Allelujah!

Close in prayer