Weaponizing Joy

Salvation does not eliminate trouble from our life.

It is not a “Don’t worry, be happy” lifestyle.

Christian Joy

The joy of a Christian is not the joy of the world for it is of a totally different nature.

Joy, as perceived in the world, is elusive. It is contingent upon circumstances.

Professing Christians live in disappointment because many still walk “According to the flesh.”

Romans 8:9

Romans 8:9 NASB95

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

The joy of the Christian comes from an indwelling life of which Christ is the source.

The Christian Life

This life is described as abundant.

• It consists of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God who dwells in us.

Life in Christ is described as eternal.

• It supersedes and survives the flesh.

Romans 8:11

Romans 8:11 NASB95

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

We will live on in eternity in God’s eternal Kingdom. When this age passes, we will live in the new Heaven and the new earth.

Sin and all its facets are passing away.

1 John 2:15-17

1 John 2:15–17 NASB95

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

The Power of Joy!

1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead……to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you……who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

God has caused us… • To be born again • To possess a living hope • To possess an eternal inheritance; reserved in Heaven

In this you greatly rejoice!

Exult in joy: Revel / Gloat / Glory / Wallow

It means to triumph with Joy!

The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)

These Truths are ready for revelation when this age comes to its close.

Until then, we are protected by the power of God through our faith.

Our capacity to rejoice is related to our capacity to trust in God’s promises.—Pastor, Anthony J. Shetley

1 Peter 1:6 “Even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed (or grieved) by various trials.”

Our distress comes from inner mental anguish or sadness which stems from our painful circumstances.

The “various trials” of which Peter speaks are from the horrific persecution led by the Roman emperor Nero.

In that persecution, Christians were wrapped in freshly slaughtered animal skins and fed to dogs and wild animals. They were dipped in pitch or tar and set on fire as torches to light Nero’s gardens at night. This persecution was the first of nine that to(ok place under the Roman Empire during the next 250 years. Peter himself very likely died during this first persecution.—Cited from Walls, D., & Anders, M. (1999). I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude (Vol. 11, p. 8). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)

Rejoicing is a powerful weapon against adversity!

Looking to those things which are unseen yet knowing they are eternal.

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

God Works all Things to His Good

1 Peter 1:7 “So that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

“Fiery Trials” (a description used by Peter in 1 Peter 4:12) expose our faith or the lack thereof.

Genuine Faith Gives One Spiritual Sight

1 Peter 1:8 “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him.”

God would our faith to enable us to “TRIUMPH WITH JOY”

“…Greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:9)

Illustration: Acts 16:20-33

James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.