Joy

Joy is more than an emotion it's life in the presents of God.

Fruits vs Fruit - Can pick and choose.

Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

What we think Joy means

Feeling Good, Happy, Optimistic,

Excited about the moment

Feeling valuable

Beautiful

Secure - Relational or financial

Asking Samantha to Marry me

Joy is an emotion

We define Joy by what it’s not

Depressed

Negative Emotion

Weight of life

Concern for the future

The problem is sometimes (oftentimes) we don’t feel these things but still don’t feel Joy

Clinical Depression or Major depression or Major depressive disorder is

2 weeks or more of constant depression

not directly connected to a loss - such as the death of a loved one or a medical condition like a thyroid disorder

If this is you I want to help you - Depression like this is an illness, not failure or weakness.

Glasses

Today I am not saying just try harder.

I want to invite you into a new way of Life that like healthy kidneys filters your lifeblood and creates a healthy person - in every way

How the Bible uses Joy

Ezra the Priest says, “The Joy of the Lord is my Strength,” in Nehemiah.

Paul Says,

Romans 15:13 ESV

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

Peter Says,

1 Peter 4:13–14 ESV

13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

How do we get to “The Joy of the Lord is my strength”

And the kind of Joy that the disciples had when Jesus wasn’t in the tomb?

A heart that is dancing in your chest

Or the tear of happiness that slowly drops off your check that is smiling brightly?

The Bible doesn’t give a definition of Joy - As Paul does of Love,

The Bible connects Joy to a location

Luke 2:10–11 (ESV)

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Acts 8 The story of the Ethiopian

Acts 8:39 (ESV)

39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

The Bible shows that Joy (Happiness) is an emotion

But what about my heartache? - Paul in prison.

WHERE IS THE LOCATION?

John the Baptist when defining himself Says:

John 3:29–30 (ESV)

29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

David Says,

Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

11 You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

The Bible shows that Joy (Happiness) is an emotion and MORE!

Joy is bigger than an emotion - Paul in prison - in the presence of God.

Joy comes from being in the presence of God

What does Joy Look like

When you are fully in the presents of God your respective is filtered - kidneys

A Faith

Worshiping together - music - a word

A Family

The biggest in history

A Future

Going on a run, swim, walk - God earth

Resurrected bodies

Joy is more than an emotion it's life in the presents of God.