Sermon Tone Analysis

Today we embark on a new series of messages that will be centered around a single word we use quite often within our Christian circles.

This topic is one we speak of, we sing of, we praise with and live by.

It is much more than an emotion, it is much more than a feeling, it is something that we have received (implying that it was given to us) something that this world can never take away.

While our minds are beginning to try to process what it is I’m speaking of consider this into your equation.

I believe God is setting up the stage for something BIG!

This something goes directly against the current flow of the land.

We are entering into a new year, but we continue to face the same old problems within our culture.

I believe a day of breakthrough is coming… days that will be marked by… revival.

Watch this: while our worldly circumstance might remain grim… our hearts can come alive through the power of God’s Word and the empowerment of God’s Spirit.

I believe God is going to shake loose the chains.

I believe 2022 is going to be a year of spiritual freedom!

I believe it will be a year different from every other year!

I believe… the best is yet to come!

With all of this in mind… I want to look at a series that will talk about a much needed character of revival… a characteristic we know as Joy.

We will get to why I consider joy as a characteristic of revival in a moment.

But let’s first take a quick look at what joy is.

Joy is not an emotion.

Happiness and joy must never be mistaken as the same thing.

Joy goes beyond even being a state of mind.

It is much deeper than that.

Joy is a reflection of the condition of our soul.

Joy is something that can and will endure no matter the outward circumstances that may surround us.

I do not find joy in my possessions.

Yes they make me happy, but in them I find no hope.

I REALLY like my Jeep!

It leaks, it squeaks, and it keeps me in constant contact with Napa in Smith Center!

It is my dream car!

Yet, the only hope that Jeep brings me is the hope it will start on a cold morning!

I do not find joy by gaining monetary wealth.

Money may bring financial security but it can never buy that which brings me eternal security.

I do not find joy in my interests and hobbies.

That which I construct with my hands will break down and wither away.

But that which I build with my heart will last beyond my lifetime.

People are looking for Joy.

I believe people desire to experience the fulness of Joy in life!

Problem is… we often look for that joy in all the wrong things and in all the wrong places.

So where is a person to look for Joy?

Where do we find Joy that is not dependent upon our outward circumstance?

We find that Joy in the Lord!

True joy comes from knowing the Lord!

True joy is not of this earth, but comes from having a relationship with Jesus!

Joy is a distinguishing mark of all believers.

It is the result of what God has done in our lives!

We are to be a joyful people!

In worship – Psalms 100:1-5 says.

1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Worship the LORD with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

In trials – James 1:2 says

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

In His Word – Jeremiah 15:16 reads,

16 When your words came, I ate them;

they were my joy and my heart’s delight,

for I bear your name,

LORD God Almighty.

In His Love – 1 Peter 1:8

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

My point is, Scripture lays out many reason to be joyful today!

My concern is: People struggle in feeling joyful.

We feel busy, tired, overwhelmed, anxious, worried, frantic, and stressed.

These are all feelings that ROB us of strength.

Joy is feeling that gives strength to our soul.

We begin by looking at a story found in Nehemiah that concludes with probably the most quoted, but not fully understood passage of scripture of our time.

We find the text in Nehemiah 8:10 It reads

This day is holy to our Lord.

Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

How many fully understand the idea of finding strength in the Lord’s joy?

What exactly is the Lord’s joy in the first place?

We quote this phrase, but I do not believe we understand its full contextual meaning.

Our study today will cover a vast area of scripture that will bring us to the final point that yes His joy is our strength.

That yes, in God, we can find joy that will help us through any situation or hardship.

Yes, in God, we find joy that is evident in our worship and our soul.

This joy is so powerful that it becomes a source of strength that cannot be extinguished as long as we remain in God and He remains in us.

Israel is in the process of restoration.

They have been through a time of difficulty and are slowly beginning to rebuild and re-situate themselves.

While in the midst of difficulty, their faith had become a distant memory.

They were unable to exercise certain religious duties causing a distance between themselves and the will of God.

If you look in scripture you will find a detailed account of the rebuilding process.

Certain things had taken place leading up to the point where Nehemiah encourages the people that the time of sorrow is now over and it is time for the joy of the Lord to become their strength.

You see, over the course of time they had witnessed the destruction of the temple.

More than just a building, this was the established place of worship where the Spirit of God literally called home.

They also witnessed the destruction of the walls of Jerusalem leaving the city vulnerable to attacks from the enemy.

Their defenses were down and the city lie in ruins.

We begin to understand why joy was a thing of the past!

I wonder how many can relate to this condition: praise-less, defenseless, and distanced from God.

Ever been there?

Today I want to look at what turned this desperate situation around.

I want to take a deep look at what brought joy back to the people of Israel.

We are going to literally rewind time from the point Nehemiah spoke this well-known phrase “the joy of the Lord is your strength” to see what took place that resulted in the return of joy to the people of God.

And as we do so I challenge you to do this: get out your personal joy meter and take a reading.

Where is your level of joy in the Lord?

If you find yourself struggling in this area then take to heart the next few points I present this morning.