The Spirit of Joy
Galatians 5:22-23
We are given nine graces of the Holy Spirit that projects the character and the attitude of Christ before His people and a lost and dying world. This attitude begins with love and it facilitates these other eight graces.
Point: Take a careful look at these nine graces and you will discover the progression in the manifestation of the Fruit of the Spirit.
• Love, Joy and Peace (Something must take place inward)
• Longsuffering, Gentleness, and Goodness (This produces the outward)
• Faith, Meekness, and Temperance (The continual look upward)
Comment: Joy, like love is misunderstood and wrongly defined.
Most people confuse joy with happiness…
Happiness: By the world’s outlook is dependent upon what is happening. If the circumstances are not favorable, then people are not happy and vice versa.
Joy: Is a divine way of living that is not shackled by circumstances.
Simply put: No matter my situation or my circumstance the Sprit of joy is always present.
Statement: This Spirit of joy can be quench and grieved or even substituted for that which does not produce true joy.
• Unsatisfied Expectation
a. Not provided by people
b. Not predicated upon circumstance
c. Not dependent on substance
These are the things the world seek to gain joy from.
• Un-forgiveness
Mention: Hebrews 12:14-15 This produces the root of bitterness
• Un-confessed Sin
Mention: Psalms 51:8, 12 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice, and restore unto me the joy of my salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit.
There are three things I want to share concerning joy:
1. The Source Of Joy
Mention: Psalms 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.
There is not a thing that can happen that can undo what Jesus did on Calvary for us!
See: John 16:20-23 Your sorrow shall be turned into joy…your joy no man taketh from you.
Mention: 1 Thessa. 1:6 They receive the word with much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost
See: Romans 14:17 joy in the Holy Ghost
Then: Romans 15:13 fill you with all joy and peace…through the power of the Holy Ghost
2. The Sustaining of Joy
Mention: Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice
Also: 1 Thessa. 5:16 Rejoice evermore
The key to sustaining joy is not to become by our circumstances, but in the mist of them remember our Lord
See: Habakkuk 3:17-18 Imagine knowing that ISIS is coming into the U.S. and will destroy the liberty we have as a people. How would that affect you?
“I will joy in the God of my salvation”
Our joy is sustained by remaining in fellowship with our Lord!
Psalms 16:11 In thy presence is the fullness of joy…
3. The Spreading of Joy
There is just something about being around a person that always displays the joy of the Lord. They have a way of gravitating people toward them.
Two kinds of people: Thermometers and Thermostats
Thermometers reflect the climate of the room, but thermostats changes the climate of the room.
Point: You can spread joy, by
• Your Walk
• Your Witness
