Joy: A Spiritual Position

ME:

Today we have lit the candle of Joy.

At the beginning of the New Testament we find God’s people looking for the Messiah.

When we read the announcement of Jesus’s coming we find a shift with the people of God.

Some might say there was a shift in the atmosphere.

JOY FILLED the air.

Their hearts became filled with JOY

Jesus had not yet been born ..... but yet they had JOY!

God’s people understood who was coming!

Because of the position of God’s people (HIS) ...... This anticipation brought JOY!

Example: Every year my wife use to get a bonus check from the company she work for.

Because of Shelly’s position (an employee of this company) she was eligible. Because of my position (her husband) I would benefit from this bonus.

We were filled with joy in the anticipation of this event.

Because of the position of God’s people (HIS) ...... This anticipation brought JOY!

They were waiting on pins and needles

Sitting on the edge of their seats

Waking up every morning asking themselves, “Is He here yet?”

You couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces

Transition Statement: I think many of us have had moments in our lives where we felt like this.

WE:

As a kid … when August came it was filled with mixed emotions for me.

I was sadden with the thought that summer was coming to an end and school was going to be starting soon.

But I was also filled with JOY thinking about the coming of the Mannington Fair.

As the start of the fair got closer .....

..... I would lay in my bed at night and hear trucks go by. Jump up to see which ride it was that was coming.

..... I would get up early in the morning and ride my bike up to the fair grounds to see all the hustle and bustle going on.

...... The start of the fair could not come fast enough.

The kickoff of the fair was the Parade through town.

That whole day I was filled with JOY!

In my own little way I think I can relate to God’s people who was anticipating the birth of the Messiah.

Anticipating the birth of Christ. JOY

Transition Statement: Scripture has a lot to say about Joy!

GOD:

The 2 most well know N.T. Passage are Philippians 4:4 & I Thess. 5:16-18

Phil 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord, always, I say rejoice. (ESV)

But the one I want to look at this morning is I Thess. 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (ESV)

In the NIV it says, “Be Joyful always”! (Shortest Greek verse)

“Jesus Wept” (John 11:35)

In the N.T. we find the Greek word for Joy (Chairo) used 74 times!

What we find is when this word is used, the majority of the time, as an imperative (Command).

Not a suggestion but a command.

I find the Lord never commands us to do something he will not give us the ability, power, courage, strength, or the gifts to it!

Joy is a gift given to us by the Father. (Its one of the fruits of the Spirits)

You can’t produce JOY. (mixing something up in a crock-pot)

Just like you can’t produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Gal. 5:22-23

All you can do is receive it and give it.

Example is when your second child comes along .... somehow there was more love to give.

The fruits of the Spirit are indications of the Holy Spirit living in you and through you.

In this pericope we find, at the end of I Thessalonians, 3 imperatives .....

Rejoice

Pray

Give Thanks

If you look at this deep enough you are going to find .......

You can’t have the fullness of one without the other 2.

Joyful Disposition

Prayerful Attitude

Thankful Heart

You are not getting the fullness of these 3 if you are lacking in the others.

One commentator believes these 3 imperatives (Rejoice, pray, give thanks) are deemed “Religious Duties”

I believe they should be viewed as “Spiritual Indicators” of a person who is of the understanding of who they are and whose they are!

Why am I rejoicing ........ Jesus!

Why am I praying ........ Jesus!

Why am I thankful ...... Jesus!

Transitional Statement: People today will look at believers who practice and present this way of life as weird.

YOU:

WHY?

They don’t know Jesus!

You can’t know true Joy without knowing the Joy Giver.

Joy comes from the Father!

It is given to us because of our position in HIM!

You can’t hide it either.

Charles H. Spurgeon, was emphasizing to his class the importance of making the facial expression harmonize with the speech.

“When you speak of Heaven,” he said, “let your face light up, let it be irradiated with a heavenly gleam, let your eyes shine with reflected glory. But when you speak of Hell—well, then your ordinary face will do.”

Some people look like they are saved and crank-tified ...... because of their face!

Joy is to never be based on our current CIRCUMSTANCES, but on our current SPIRITUAL POSITION!

Joy can only be received once you have accepted the Joy giver.

Once you know Him (Jesus) ...

You can now proclaim your position in Christ.

You can remind the enemy of your position in Christ.

You can live out your position in Christ.

Transition Statement: For many of us, this time of the year is filled with JOY!

ME:

But for some, this time of the year is not a time that is filled with JOY.

WHY?

Because you have allowed the enemy to highjack your JOY.

Remember .... Joy is not based on current circumstances but its based on your current position.

IN JESUS

So let me ask you this morning .....

Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior?

Have you asked to be forgiven of all of your sins?

Have you asked the Holy Spirit to come and live inside you?

If you haven’t .... today would be a great time to receive that JOY!

If you have ..... then start .......

Proclaim your Position in Christ!

Remind the enemy of your position in Christ!

Live out of that position in Christ!