What Kind Of Joy Do You Want

What Kind of Joy Do You Want?

Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:16

I. Joy Is a Distinctive Characteristic of the Christian Life

A. In Greek the verb for "rejoice" is chaíro (Phil. 3:1; 4:4; Col. 1:24; 1 Thess. 3:9; 5:16) and the noun is chará, "joy" (John 15:11; 16:20; Col. 1:11; 1 Thess. 1:6; 3:9).

1. Both words are related to cháris, "grace." The permanence of joy as a quality of life is only possible as a result of the appropriation of the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
2. A Christian who can say, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" has appropriated that source of joy (1 Cor. 15:10).

B. This kind of joy (chará) is very closely connected with other Christian virtues.

1. In Romans 14:17, it is linked with righteousness and peace.
2. The Bible also ranks "joy" second in a list of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22), the first being "love."
3. References to joy in the Christian life are frequent (Acts 2:46; 8:39; 13:52; 16:34; Rom. 12:12; 2 Cor. 1:24; 8:2; Phil. 1:25; 1 Pet. 1:8).

C. Joy is portrayed in the Bible not as a static state but as a state of growth in which the Christian willfully co-operates with God (2 Cor. 13:11; Phil. 3:1; 4:4; 1 Thess. 5:16; James 1:2; 1 Pet. 4:13).

1. Paul even makes the attainment of joy an object of prayer (Rom. 15:13).
2. Paul also represents the achievement of joy as one of the goals of his apostolic ministry to the churches (2 Cor. 1:24; Phil. 1:25).

D. Paul also instructs us that this state of rejoicing is to be constant. "Rejoice evermore" (1 Thess. 5:16) is the admonition of Scripture.

1. The word for rejoice is chaírete, a verb meaning "be joyful."
2. It is in the present tense, imperative mood, which involves continuity, and not that sporadic rejoicing which emanates from a mere satisfying experience.
3. To the contrary, we are instructed to have a permanent frame of mind that rejoices without regard to our circumstances. The word pántote, translated as "evermore," could be better rendered as "always" (nasb, niv), meaning, "at all times, no matter what the circumstances are."
4. The New Testament teaches that the Christian life involves the creation of a new personality. There is a new kind of existence which makes a permanent change in the person (2 Cor. 5:17).
5. A Christian is a new person whose source of joy is internal, "which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27).
6. Makárioi, "blessed" (Matt. 5:1–12; Luke 6:20–23), are those indwelt by God for the sake of Jesus Christ (Matt. 5:11; Luke 6:22) and who, because of that indwelling, find their full joy or satisfaction (John 15:11).
7. There Is a Different Concept of Joy in the World
8. In Greek, "hedonism" (hedone?´), denotes joy in the sensual realm (Luke 8:14; Titus 3:3; James 4:1, 3; 2 Pet. 2:13). Hedone?´, "sensual pleasure," is the source of joy in this worldly philosophy.
9. Another type of joy is described as "being merry" (euphraíno, Luke 12:19; 15:23, 24, 29, 32; 16:19; Acts 2:26; 7:41; 14:17; Rom. 15:10; 2 Cor. 2:2; Gal. 4:27; Rev. 11:10; 12:12). This word comes the closest of any in the New Testament in its meaning to the English word "happy."
10. The two Greek words which could most accurately be translated "happy," eutuche?´s, "one with good luck," or eudaímon, "fortunate, happy because of favor shown," do not occur in the New Testament at all.
11. Whenever the word "happy" is used in any translation of the New Testament, it really should be translated "blessed." It is a translation from the Greek word makários (John 13:17; Acts 26:2; Rom. 14:22; 1 Cor. 7:40; James 5:11; 1 Pet. 3:14; 4:14).
12. "Being of good cheer" (euthuméo) is another state of mind described in Acts 27:22, 25 and James 5:13. The adjective eúthumos is also found in Acts 27:36 and the adverb euthúmos in Acts 24:10.
13. These words denote hopeful good cheer and often refer to the outcome of a certain situation or undertaking. Such a feeling is by definition temporary in its nature.
14. This demonstration of cheer can be experienced by both the Christian and non-Christian alike.
15. The Scriptures Reveal Other Spiritual Pleasures Which Are Enduring in Contrast to the Fluctuating Joys of the World
16. There are several other terms used to describe these spiritual joys.
17. The Greek word agallíasis means "exultation" (Luke 1:14, 44; Acts 2:46; Heb. 1:9; Jude 1:24) and the verb agalliáo, "to exult" (Matt. 5:12; Luke 1:47; 10:21; John 5:35; 8:56; Acts 2:26; 16:34; 1 Pet. 1:6, 8; 4:13; Rev. 19:7). Worship and praise cause the believer to experience spiritual joy.
18. Another related term is kaucháomai, "boast," in which state we appreciate our exulted position (Rom. 2:17, 23; 5:2, 3, 11; 1 Cor. 1:29, 31; 3:21; 4:7; 2 Cor. 5:12; 7:14; 9:2; 10:8, 13, 15, 17; 11:12, 16, 18, 30; 12:1, 5, 6, 9; Gal. 6:13, 14; Eph. 2:9; Phil. 3:3; James 1:9; 4:16). As can be seen by these references, it is possible to have the wrong object as the focus of our boasting or exulting, in which case our joy will not be lasting.
19. The Scriptures also reveal the kinds of conditions which lead to spiritual rejoicing.
20. The consciousness of our salvation (Rom. 5:11; Phil. 3:8; 4:1–10) is a source of our joy, as are also faith, hope, and truth (Acts 8:39; 16:34; Rom. 15:3; 1 Cor. 13:6; 2 Cor. 1:24; Phil. 1:25; 1 Pet. 1:8).
21. Being filled with the Spirit is also equated with being filled with joy (Acts 2:46; 13:52; Rom. 14:17).
22. The anticipation of the life to come in heaven fills the believer with joy (Rom. 14:17; 15:13; Heb. 10:34; 1 Pet. 1:6, 8; 4:13; Jude 1:24; Rev. 19:7).
23. Lastly, there is an added joy which belongs to the servant of God engaged in the work of God's calling (Acts 20:24; Rom. 16:19; 2 Cor. 6:10; 7:4; Phil. 1:4, 5; 2:2, 17; Col. 1:24; 1 Thess. 3:9), especially as he will see the results of his work when he stands before God (2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19).

—52 New Testament Sermon Starters