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The Spirit Of Joy Series
Contributed by Martin Holland on Feb 17, 2016 (message contributor)
Summary: The second of the nine graces of the fruit of the Spirit is joy.
The Spirit of Joy
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