Sermon Illustrations

The selfless love to which God calls you and me produces a deep joy in our hearts. This joy or happiness of the Spirit has three dimensions.

Joy is the assurance of faith that we are acceptable to God and that God’s good providences are working on our behalf. This joy is an inner calm produced by confidence in God. It is untouched by outward circumstances and is not diminished by pain and sorrow.

Sometimes this joy gives us a sense of satisfaction and comfort.

The highest level of joy is a kind of ecstasy or overflowing happiness. There is no way of describing this – no more than we can say what it is like to be in love. It is simply a graced moment, and may only last a short time. We are cautioned by spiritual leaders not to seek...

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