The Joy Of The Holy Spirit

Intro

Sermon Text - 1 Thessalonians 1.5-7

1 Thessalonians 1:5–7 NKJV

5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

Sermon Title - The Joy Of The Holy Spirit

Sermon Intro

Paul describes the saints in Thessalonica as:

they have become followers of the apostles and of the Lord

they have received the word in much affliction

they received the word with joy of the Holy Spirit

The “joy”

is OF the Holy Spirit

produced by the Holy Spirit in the Thessalonians believers

Sermon Point

There is a joy that is different from our human joy

as an emotion/feeling

it is produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit

human joy

can be misunderstood as the joy of the Holy Spirit

can be wrong - when the objects are sinful and evil things

can be good and right - when the object is good

Jesus differentiates between these 2 joys

John 15:11 NKJV

11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

while human joy is not bad or wrong -

this is not the joy of the Holy Spirit

Christians are supposed to bear the fruit - JOY - of the Holy Spirit

the joy of the Holy Spirit is happiness on a diferent level

human is focused on the object - person or thing

joy of the Holy Spirit is focused on purpose - deliverance, healing, etc.

Sermon Points

The Realm of the Joy of the Holy Spirit

Realm - sphere of operation or level of existence

The joy of the Holy Spirit operates within th ekingdom of God

Romans 14:17 NKJV

17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Paul was warning against insisting on people’s rights to eating and drinking

Joy in the Holy Spirit characterizes the kingdom of God

the happiness in the kingdom of God is the joy produced by the Holy Spirit

the happiness in the kingdom of God is not on food and drinks

food and drinks represent fleshly enjoyment, carnal satisfaction,

Joy in the Holy Spirit goes with righteousness and peace

where there is righteousness, there is this kind of joy

where there is peace with God, there is this kind of joy

WHAT’S THE POINT?

The joy in the Holy Spirit is not focused on material things

rejoicing in a brand new car - human joy

rejoicing in being able to reach more souls for Christ with a brand new car -that is joy in the Holy Ghost

celebrating a birthday or anniversary - human joy

rejoicing over another year in which to accomplish the purpose of God - that is joy in the Holy Spirit

The Objects of the Joy of the Holy Spirit

God’s purpose

In Luke 1.39-56 Mary meets Elizabeth

Luke 1:39–41 NKJV

39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:15 NKJV

15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.

Luke 1:42–45 NKJV

42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

a fetus rejoiced without knowing anything about its surrounding

the Holy Spirit expressed its joy in Elizabeth’s womb

WHAT’S THE POINT?

The joy of the Holy Spirit is focused on what is accomplished for the kingdom of God

human joy is -

rejoicing that I have 4 kids, they are cute, they healthy, smart

joy in the Holy Spirit -

rejoicing that my kids are learning about God - my God and their God

rejoicing that my 4 kids are serving God as we have prayed for when they were conceived

The Gospel of Christ

In Romans 15.7-13 Paul ecnourages the Roman believers to rejoice in the gospel

Romans 15:7–9 NKJV

7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.”

here Paul reminds them of the promise of God to the father concernin Gentiles

Romans 15:10–12 NKJV

10 And again he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!” 11 And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!” 12 And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”

here Paul quotes the Scripture concerning the Gentiles’ rejoicing

Romans 15:13 NKJV

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

God-given hope comes by the power of the Holy Spirit

God-given hope manifests in joy and peace in believing the promises (Gospel)

In Acts 13.13-52 Paul preached the Gospel in Antioch in Pisidia, to Jews and Gentiles

Acts 13:42–47 NKJV

42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

many Jews and devout proselytes believed

but other Jews were filled with envy

Acts 13:48–52 NKJV

48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

WHAT’S THE POINT?

Joy in the Holy Spirit is rejoicing in the promises of God, especially those concerning Christ’s rule over our lives

Christ’s Joy and Our Joy

Christ’s joy is different from our human joy

In John 15 Christ speaks of the parable of the true vine and the branches

John 15:7–11 NKJV

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. 9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

human joy is full - when our desires are done or given

John 16:24 NKJV

24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Christ’s joy is in

glorifying the Father by bearing much fruit

loving His disciples as the Father loved Him

the disciples’ abiding in His love by keeping His commandments

Christ wants to have His joy fulfilled in the believers!

John 17:13 NKJV

13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.

WHAT’S THE POINT?

Christ wants His disciples to OWN His joy.

human joy is valid, but Christ’s joy is greater

the gospel does not invalidate our human happiness, but exalts Christ’s happiness over and above ours.

Christ’s joy is fulfilled in the beliver’s life when the joy of the Holy Spirit is expressed and owned

When God’s joy becomes MY joy

in Acts 20 Paul expressed his joy in life

Acts 20:22–24 NKJV

22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

he owned the joy of having the gospel reach the Gentiles and get saved

In Philippians Paul epressed his joy in the ministry

Philippians 1:15–18 NKJV

15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

he rejoiced in the fact that Christ is preached despite the motives

Philippians 2:1–3 NKJV

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

he owned the joy of seeing the saints like-minded and having the same love for one another

Philippians 4:1 NKJV

1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

he owned the saints as his joy and crown

In Hebrews 10 Paul appreciated the believers’s joy

Hebrews 10:32–34 NKJV

32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.

plundering - used to describe how Paul used the people’s good for the ministry

In 3 John the apostle expressed in joy in the life of his “children”

3 John 2–4 NKJV

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Conclusion

WHAT’S THE POINT IN ALL THESE?

Joy in the Holy Spirit is the rejoicing that we express because God is glorified, God’s will is fulfilled.

HOW DOES OUR LIFE COMPARE TO THIS?

What are the things that makes us happy? makes us rejoice in this life?

what makes me happy everyday? Is it all about earthly existence?

Where is Christ’s joy in or everyday living? Is Christ’s joy ever fulfilled in us?

HOW CAN WE BEGIN TO HAVE THAT JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT?

be led by the Spirit of God

be filled by the Spirit of God

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