JOY!
The Fruit of The Spirit (Part 3)
Galatians 5:22-23
• Galatians 5:16-25 (NIV)
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
INTRODUCTION:
Someone paused leaving the church to tell the pastor, “Whatever you do, don’t miss the joy!” Wise words! Robert Louis Stevenson said near his life’s end, "To miss the joy is to miss everything!" Not many would argue with that either.
As a church we want to encourage people to “Experience the Joy!” Are we really supposed to experience joy in our lives? All to often joy is lacking in our lives. A keen observer of Christians once said, "Christians seem to have a religion that makes them miserable. They are like people with a headache. They don’t want to get rid of their heads, but it hurts to keep them."
We should who should have the most joy often find ourselves lacking it the most. Am I the only one, or does anyone else have a deficit of joy in their lives?
Joy is one thing Satan wants to steal from us. Why? Joy is contagious! Satan is content to let you go to heaven; just don’t live your life in such a way that other people will want what you have! That’s why the devil looks for ways to rob us of joy.
Illustration: Personal experience sitting on the porch in Toronto enjoying a restful moment on the swing, but a neighbor walked by and asked, “What’s the matter with you?” When I told them nothing they said, “You just don’t seem very happy.” That’s when I started praying for the Lord to make His joy evident in my life. I still need God to help me let His joy show!
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS JOY! Jesus said, “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit” (John 15:5 NIV). If we are connected to Jesus then joy should be evident in our lives. As a branch joined to Jesus, the life-giving vine, the fruit we bear should be joyful!
Pastor George reminded us that when we talk about the fruit of the spirit it is not FRUITS of the Spirit, it is FRUIT. Love is the blossom which produces the fruit; joy is love rejoicing. When we are connected to Jesus the fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of our relationship with Him. We should be joyful because the life of Jesus and His Spirit is within us!
Now let me point out something else: it is NOT the fruit of the saints; it is the fruit of the SPIRIT! In other words, the fruit is not something we can produce on our own. Jesus said it best, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NIV). The fruit of the Spirit is not of human origin; it comes from God.
PASTOR GEORGE INTERUPTS: “But Pastor, I know people who are not Christians who are really happy people; some may even be happier than me. Don’t they have joy apart from Christ?”
PASTOR GREG: Yes they have joy. Your non-Christian family and friends also have the ability to show evidence of the other expressions of the fruit of the Spirit; they can be loving, kind; some might even be more patient than you!
PASTOR GEORGE: How is that possible?
PASTOR GREG: God made man in His image. Every human bears the likeness of God. Therefore, God created us with the capacity or the ability to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and under control.
Unfortunately while we still bear the image of God as human beings, sin has distorted the likeness of God within us. In the beginning man shared an intimate and unbroken relationship with God in the garden, and the image of God within man was complete—it was not distorted and broken by sin. Sin has broken the intimate relationship with God thereby cutting us off from the source of life.
God’s likeness and image remains within the human heart, but it is incomplete because of sin. We lack the ability to fully develop the characteristics of our nature which was made in the image of God.
Jesus came to get us reconnected to God! As we come into relationship with God through Christ Jesus the image of God is brought back to life and restored within us.
PASTOR GEORGE: “I get it! The fruit of the Spirit is evidence that we have been reconnected to God!”
PASTOR GREG: Exactly, look at this verse:
• Psalm 16:11 (GW)
You make the path of life known to me. Complete joy is in your presence. Pleasures are by your side forever.
Jesus has put us on the path of life. Complete joy—joy that is whole and not lacking anything, is found only in God’s presence. This is the unfailing absolute joy is what God wants us to have in our lives—that’s the fruit of the Spirit we know as joy.
PASTOR GEORGE: Thanks Pastor you’ve really helped me, but would it be alright with you if I took a moment to tell the folks about the difference between human joy and the joy God gives us? (Pastor Greg says, “Sure!”)
There are two kinds of joy: HUMAN JOY, and SPIRITUAL or SUPERNATURAL JOY. Human joy can be experienced by anyone, but spiritual or supernatural joy can only be experienced through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
One of the best ways to see the difference between human joy and the joy God gives to us is found in John 15.
Here we find Jesus is with his disciples. This is the night before Jesus would be crucified. Jesus knows in a short time he will be in the garden and Judas will betray Him with a kiss. Jesus knows that He will be arrested and falsely accused by the religious leaders. Jesus knows He will be beaten; He will be mocked and spit upon. Jesus knows that within hours His hands will be pierced as the nails are driven into the cross. Unbelievable pain and torture is about to begin; Jesus knows it will end in His death.
With these events pressing in upon Jesus, notice what Jesus said to His disciples:
• John 15:11 (NLT)
. . . you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
Being filled with the joy of Jesus will make our joy “complete” (NIV) or “wholly mature” (MsgB). When we share in Christ’s joy our joy won’t lack anything!
Jesus was not talking about human joy. At such a time human joy would evaporate, but not so for Jesus. In the face of death Jesus could talk to His disciples about joy!
• Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
For the joy set before him [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame.
How many of us could talk about joy if we knew we were about to experience a violent death? Human joy would not hold up under such pressure. Only the spiritual or supernatural joy of the Lord can last in the face of death.
The dictionary defines joy as the emotion of great happiness; something or someone that provides pleasure; a source of happiness. Joy is to make glad or happy.
What are the sources of human joy?
1. Celebration.
Birthdays and anniversaries—any reason for a party will produce joy and happiness in people. The birth of a baby is usually a happy time. An unexpected surprise like a raise in pay or a promotion is cause for celebration and joy.
The devil is a counterfeit. He wants to create a sense of joy in people. As we can join together at church to celebrate what God has done for us, the devil has the local bar for people to throw a party. The appeal of the local bar is more than alcohol; you can get drunk at home. Many bars have an atmosphere of celebration—the music is loud, the people are friendly.
2. Relationships.
People experience joy through their relationships. A family reunion or a family gathering during the holidays is joyful occasions. Being together with friends to laugh and play can transform a heavy heart into a heart of joy.
3. Achievement.
We have a sense of joy when we have accomplished a goal. High school or college graduations are happy times. When you have worked hard on a project at work or around the house you find joy in a job well done.
4. Health and well-being.
How many of us have had those times of just enjoying life? We all have. It may be on sunny day, seeing a rainbow after the rain, or enjoying the beauty of the world around us that we have all just been happy to be alive.
When we have watched family or friends go through a difficult sickness, or if we have struggled with our health, when we feel strength and life in our body we are glad to be alive.
5. Helping others.
We find a deep sense of satisfaction when we can reach beyond ourselves to give someone in need assistance.
All of these human expressions of joy have one thing in common. HUMAN JOY IS TEMPORARY. The sense of joy and happiness is linked to the moment; it is tied to the circumstances which produce or bring about the joy.
Is it any wonder that the word HAPPY comes from the same root word as HAPPEN? Happy and happen come from the word HAP which means luck or chance. Can you see now how happy and happen are related? Good luck brings happiness; that which occurs by luck or chance is a happening.
Human joy passes away; it doesn’t last. Just as sand quickly runs through the hourglass, or as sand falls through your fingers human joy comes to an end and is no more.
• Ecclesiastes 12:1 (GW)
. . . The days of trouble come and the years catch up with you. They will make you say, "I have found no pleasure in them."
PASTOR GREG: Oh Pastor George, I’ve got good news! We don’t have to be limited to just a human expression of joy. Instead of a temporary joy we can have a joy that will last! Look at this:
• Isaiah 51:11 (NIV)
The ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Everlasting joy can be ours! I know I have received this joy eternal have you?
We learn something very interesting about joy here. Gladness and joy are pursuing you; joy is right behind you ready to overtake you.
God gave an absolute promise to His people; their faith could be sure and unmovable for in the same way God had brought His children out of the bondage of Egypt, He would likewise set them free from exile in Babylon. Taken from their homes and displaced; they would have nothing of their own. But God would overtake them with everlasting joy; sorrow and grief would be gone forever.
But this promise is also for you and me!
In this ever changing world the joy we experience today is only a step away from sorrow. God doesn’t want us to live a yo-yo rollercoaster up and down life; He wants us to have an everlasting joy independent of ours circumstances. God wants us to have more than just happiness born of the happenings of the day. He wants our joy to endure regardless of our circumstances.
How can we receive everlasting joy—this supernatural, spiritual joy of the Lord?
Isaiah tells us everlasting joy will be given to the “ransomed of the Lord.” Those redeemed by God, those whom God has purchased will be overtaken by gladness and joy. Sorrow and grief will melt away for those who belong to God!
WE ARE THOSE WHO BELONG TO THE LORD!
• Romans 5:10-11 (NLT)
[10] For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life. [11] So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God—all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God.
We have been ransomed—reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus has redeemed our lives and made us friends of God. Therefore, when we are connected to God through Christ Jesus we can have His joy—the joy of the Lord, a spiritual, supernatural joy that will not end!
The key to experiencing everlasting joy is to be in an intimate loving relationship with Jesus. If you don’t have joy in your life, then let me ask you a simple question: ARE YOU CONNECTED TO JESUS?
ARE YOU CONNECTED TO JESUS 24/7? One of the biggest reasons why there is no real difference between those who call themselves a Christians and those who are not is COMPROMISE. If you are not sold out to Jesus, if you don’t obey His word wholeheartedly, then everlasting joy will not be abundant in your life.
Remember Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apat form me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NLT). If you lack the fruit of joy it is not Jesus’ fault! He is the life-giving vine; His life in us will produce joy.
THE PROBLEM IS WITH US.
Through compromise, as well as a misunderstanding of scripture and God’s plan for our lives we have allowed some “sap-suckers” to drain the life of Christ out of us. What are the things that bleed you dry so your joy is depleted? What causes us to wither on the vine?
Sap-sucker #1: UNCONFESSED SIN
• Psalm 66:18 (NIV)
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
Don’t let sin rule your heart. Turn away from sin; change your way of thinking.
• 2 Chronicles 6:26, 27 (NLT)
"If the skies are shut up and there is NO RAIN because your people have sinned against you, and then they pray toward this Temple and confess your name and turn from their sins because you have punished them, [27]then hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them to do what is right, and SENT RAIN on your land that you have given to your people as their special possession.
Sin cuts us off from God’s blessing, but when we confess our sin we open the way for God’s blessing to be in our lives. If you have an area of sin in your life you will not have joy there; instead of joy you will experience stress and conflict. For instance if you are disobedient in the area of your finances, then you have cut yourself off form God’s blessing; repentance is the key to having God’s blessing in our lives.
Don’t let sin suck the life of Christ out of you.
Sap-sucker #2: BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS
• Matthew 22:39 (NIV)
And the second is like it: ’Love your neighbor as yourself.’
• Matthew 5:23-24 (MsgB)
"This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, [24] . . . leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
Sap-sucker #3: A WONDED EGO—PRIDE
• Proverbs 29:23 (MsgB)
Pride lands you flat on your face; humility prepares you for honors.
• Proverbs 6:16-17 (MsgB)
Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: [17] eyes that are arrogant. . .
Sap-sucker #4: UNRESOLVED GUILT
• Psalm 32:5 (MsgB)
Then I let it all out; I said, "I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God." Suddenly the pressure was gone—my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared.
Sap-sucker #5: UNPLEASANT CIRCUMSTANCES
• James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, [3] because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. [4] Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
• Psalm 126:2-3, 5-6 (NIV)
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." [3] The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy . . . [5] Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. [6] He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
