A0424_Joy in the Holy Spirit
Date: 28th January 2009 (Wednesday PM) Ref: A0424
Place: Kambah P.S.
Title: Joy in the Holy Spirit
Text: & Romans 14:17
Illust: Scientists have been studying the effect of laughter on human beings and have found, among other things, that laughter has a profound and instantaneous effect on virtually every important organ in the human body. Laughter reduces health-sapping tensions and relaxes the tissues as well as exercising the most vital organs. It is said that laughter, even when forced, results in beneficial effect on us, both mentally and physically. Next time you feel nervous and jittery, indulge in a good laugh. – Despite the common picture that many people have of the miserable, sombre Christian, the Bible has a lot to say about joy. We are to live a life of joy
I. Joyfully Joyfully
A. Will of God
i. On Monday a number of people took part in a citizenship ceremony to become Australians. They were’nt born here but they like living here & they want not just to reside here but also to transfer their allegiance to this country & make it their own.
ii. As Christians we have become citizens, resident in the Kingdom of God. Phil 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, – This world is no longer our home, our allegiance is to be to the Kingdom of God. - In our text Paul is giving us a picture of what the Kingdom of God is like. & Text. – Righteousness, Peace and Joy
iii. The kingdom of God is a place of Joy, the will of God for your life will bring Joy, the will of God for your life is that you would have joy as you fulfil His calling, purpose & destiny for your life. As you give your allegiance to Him / His kingdom
It’s His will that you have Joy in your life
He commands joy
Deuteronomy 12:18 But you must eat them before the Lord your God in the place which the Lord your God chooses, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all to which you put your hands. (NKJV)
B. Power of Joy
i. Just like laughter is good for you, Joy of course is so much healthier than misery. Joy is an incredibly powerful force in your life for good.
ii. Let’s face it life is tough, it throws us curve balls, we often face challenges that tax our ability to be able to cope. Desperately need strength to work through issues, to carry on.
Nehemiah is rebuilding the wall of the city a mammoth task and against incredible opposition. Difficult challenges, times and circumstances
Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (NKJV)
iii. Your strength many times to go through these times is found in the Joy of the Lord
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. (NKJV)
We can rejoice in Him, that He cares & through Him we can face any trial or challenge.
Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. (NKJV)
II. Finding Joy
A. Source of Joy
i. Joy is great but how can I have joy, even in the hard times when I don’t feel like rejoicing. – You have to have a right understanding of the source of joy.
Job 8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, And your lips with rejoicing. (NKJV)
ii. God is the source of Joy. ~ If you want to live a joyous life, need to be connected to, in relationship with, the source.
Psalm 4:7 You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. (NKJV)
Regardless of the external circumstances, in fact the joy that has its source in right relationship with God is better than the happiness when things are going well
iii. I don’t think that any of the people who became citizens on Australia day were miserable about it. No they were rejoicing that they are now citizens of this the ‘lucky country’
iv. Think about the fact that you are saved, you are a citizen of heaven – Reason alone to rejoice, That God Himself loved you enough to send His only son to pay the price for your sins, your salvation is a source of Joy
Psalm 13:5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. (NKJV)
B. Conditions for Joy
i. We want joy, need joy in our lives. We all know people that come to church get saved, then are walking misery guts. “I don’t have any joy” – You may even have been like that at some time. ~ We must recognise that having the fullness of Joy that God gives is conditional. Some things you need to have right:
Firstly you need to be trusting in God
Psalm 5:11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. (NKJV)
Secondly you need to be pursuing righteousness.
Psalm 64:10 The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and trust in Him. And all the upright in heart shall glory. (NKJV)
Third you need to be spending time in His presence
Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (NKJV)
ii. A lifestyle that is lived in the fullness of Joy, with gladness & rejoicing comes from being walking in the presence of the Lord – Prayer, meditation, the Word
III. Rejoice Always
A. A Life of Joy
i. A lifestyle of joy, joy that is not just emotionalism where you have joy only when everything is good & pleasing; but constant joy, despite the circumstance is what God has for you, its what He wants for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, (NKJV)
ii. Always, in every situation & circumstance, rejoice! – In all that you go through, in all that you do – rejoice! – Easy to say; but how can you rejoice always?
Put your trust fully in God, pursue righteousness and be regularly, often spending time in His presence.
Seeking first His Kingdom, for there is joy as you do this & Text
iii. He will give you Joy, He will enable you to rejoice always.