Joy That Transforms

Philippians 4:4 NKJV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Confession of Faith

I am not moved by what I see or by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe. I believe the WORD of God! The victory is mine! I have it now! I can see it through the eyes of my faith! In Jesus Name

Introduction:

What Is Joy?

Here is how Webster’s defines joy

NOUN a feeling of great pleasure and happiness: Like saying those were "tears of joy" · VERB rejoice

synonyms: be joyful · be happy · be pleased · be glad · be delighted · be elated ·[more]

What is the biblical definition of joy? The biblical definition of joy says that joy is a feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or what is happening around us.

Joy comes from the Holy Spirit,

Joy comes from living and being in the presence of God

Joy comes from committing and trusting in the Word of God !

Philippians 3:1 (NKJV)

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord...

Joy is a spiritual weapon that we use to protect ourselves from the enemy and this world!

Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord

You won’t go astray when you are always rejoicing in the Lord!

As we go through life, two things are always confronting us:

1. Circumstances

2. False teaching

When I Say circumstances - I am talking about little things that we go through as well as major challenges

Everyday there is something you will have to face

One day it might be temptations - things you struggle with physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually

One day it might be lust of the flesh

One day it might be greed

One day it might be selfishness

One day it might be arguments

One day it might be division in the family, division on the job, division in your relationships

One day it might be dealing with the death of a loved one

One day it might be sickness

Everyday we will face something

None of us escapes the trials of life - I don’t care if you know Jesus or not!

You will go through something when you live on this earth!

Keeping this thing real - means everyday you are confronted with the trials of life

The other thing we have to deal with daily is the false teaching that confronts each of us as well!

Especially now - that social media gives everyone and everything a platform to say and do whatever pleases them!

No matter where you go - which way you turn you will be confronted with different ideas about how to handle your life and how you need to handle the trials in your life!

Here’s what I mean

There are folks telling you - Just Ignore the trials and problems of life. Life is to be enjoyed by those who have the health and money to enjoy it, so get all the gusto out of life possible. Do your own thing.”

There are folks that says, “Discipline and control yourself. Take care of your body and mind. Don’t give in to the lusts and passions of this life. The abuse of a mind and body is a waste. Live as long and contribute as much as you can by walking a disciplined and controlled life.

There are people telling you “Don’t go overboard. Enjoy life—join in—do what you want; but do it within reason. Don’t overly abuse your mind and body. It’s all right to join and indulge occasionally; just don’t do it too often and hurt yourself.”

If you listen there are folks saying religion is the answer to both life and death, “Join a religious body, undergo its rituals, adopt its beliefs, and live the best you can. This will give you a strong self-image and confidence that God will accept you. Just be as good as you can and God will accept what goodness you are able to build up.”

Here is my point - today we are bombarded with the trials of life and false teaching everyday - so we must GUARD OURSELVES

The first Guard is for us to rejoice in the LORD

If we spend our time throughout the day rejoicing in the Lord - where our minds are thinking about Jesus,

When we find joy in Jesus saving us

When we find joy in Jesus delivering us

When We find Joy in The Love Of God

When we find joy in knowing that Jesus paid the price for our sins

When we find joy in knowing that God woke us up this morning

When we find joy in knowing that he choose each of us as his children

When we find the joy in knowing that he is protecting us

When we find joy in knowing that he is healing us

When we find joy in knowing that it is a privilege to be in his presence

When we think about what the Lord has done and is doing for each and everyone of us - that’s real transformation

This is using the tool of Joy to guard ourselves against the daily onslaught of trials of life and the false teaching that comes to us!

Tell your neighbor to Rejoice in the Lord

Here is the great thing about rejoicing in the Lord

It places you and keeps you in the presence of Jesus

No matter what you go through, no matter what confronts you, no matter how terrible the trial or the situation is - knowing that you are being looked after by Jesus - your Lord and Savior generates joy

Knowing that nothing can separate you Jesus and the Love of God!

Knowing that we live eternally

Knowing that whatever you go through we have the victory

Knowing that no matter how bad the situation is - that thing will never conquer or overcome you!

Romans 8:35–39 NKJV

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We Rejoice In The Lord

When you rejoice in the Lord - your mind is focused on Jesus

Here’s the deal - your mind cannot be in two places at one time

If it is thinking about Jesus and all the things he has done for you - it’s hard pressed at the same time to think about the trials of life and all the false teaching in this world

2 Corinthians 6:10 (The Living Bible)

10 Our hearts ache, but at the same time we have the joy of the Lord...

Luke 10:20 (NKJV)

20 rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

John 15:11 NCV

11 I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.

Tell Your Neighbor to Rejoice

Peter tells us not to think life is strange when you go through issues in life

1 Peter 4:12–13 NKJV

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

The Psalm writers tells us

Psalm 32:11 NKJV

11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Psalm 5:11 NLT

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.

I know Biblical joy can be a confusing thing,

This joy doesn’t just come when things are Good

This joy is dependent on who Jesus is and not your circumstance

This joy is dependent on God’s presence

and not on a social media influence -r’s opinions

This joy is available to us in the worst times of our lives and it can never be taken away

This Joy is based on knowing Jesus!

Philippians 4:4 NCV

4 Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.

This Joy comes when we spend time with Jesus

This Joy comes when we put time in his Word

This Joy comes when we have faith, trust, belief and commitment in and to God’s Word

Psalm 16:11 NCV

11 You will teach me how to live a holy life. Being with you will fill me with joy; at your right hand I will find pleasure forever.

We must guard our hearts and mind with the Joy of the Lord!

Romans 15:13 NLT

13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Joy That Transforms means we are always rejoicing in the Lord!

Again I say Rejoice

God Bless you - until we meet again!