HANDOUT FOR SERMON: JOYFULNESS A GAUGE OF OUR SPIRITUALITY.
December 25th, 2022, Manchester, Tn. 9:30 a.m.
INTRODUCTION: Is New Testament Christianity attractive? Was Jesus attractive
to the crowds? Are you a good representation of Christ today? If someone met
you when visiting the assembly of the Church, would they be interested in
learning more about Jesus Christ? Would they return? What does YOUR
Christianity look? One key sign of spiritual danger and weakness is losing our joy.
Joy is one of the vital gauges of the faith and sincerity in the Christian life. When
your joy is waning- it is safe to say you need to pay attention to your joy and
possibly re-evaluate it. Did you realize God commands us to be joyful? Do we use
scripture to stifle our joy, such as 1 Corinthians 14:39-40 (if so, we miss use this
Bible verse).
Mature believers experience joylessness.
Job 3:11 (Job wished he had never been born.), Psalm 44:6-8 (David asked God to
take him away from his reality.), 1 Kings 19:3-5 (Elijah asked God to take his life!)
We need to realize that “Joy is not an option”, it is God’s will for His people.
Scripture: Romans 14:17-18
Your joy matters to God. Joy is not the icing on the cake, it is an essential
ingredient (as all the parts of the fruit of the Spirit) in your walk with God. God
intends for us to be full of joy. The word “joy” appears more than 200 times in the
Bible
Read: Galatians 5:22-23 The Fruit of the Spirit: Joy.
2 Corinthians 13:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:26, Philippians 2:18, 3:1, 4:4
Joy & gladness in the Old Testament: Psalm 32;11, psalm 97:12, Psalm 100:2,
Psalm 149:2, Psalm 67:4, Psalm 96:11
Joy in the New Testament: Matthew 5;12, Luke 6:2, Luke 10:20, Luke 15:6,
Romans 12:12 & 15, 2 Corinthians 13:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Philippians 2:18,
3:1, Philippians 4:4
LESSON:
1.JOY IS ROOTED IN WHO GOD IS. Do we truly understand and comprehend the
greatness of God, His power, His care, His love and His providence? Job 26:7-11,
Nehemiah 1:5, Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 136:3-6, Isaiah 40:26, Ephesians 3:20-21
2
Biblical joy is powerful and everlasting because it responds to external things with
the inner contentment and satisfaction that God is in control. Our joy is settled
assurance that God is in control of all things, including the things of my life! Do
you dare to trust God completely? Easy to say, difficult to do!
2. J ESUS & HIS WORD ARE THE SOURCE OF TRUE EVERLASTING JOY.
Jesus is such an amazing manifestation of God and the essence of who God truly
is. We know God the Father through Jesus Christ in the flesh.
Scripture: Luke 2:9-14, Ephesians 1:7, Matthew 20:28, Luke 2:11, 1 Timothy 1:15,
1 Corinthians 15:56-57, Ephesians 1:3. Philippians 4:4-5, John 15:9-11, John 1:9
Jesus redeems us. He is our Savior. He has conquered death and all spiritual
blessings are found in Him. There are many more blessings found in Him.
3. TRUE JOY DOES NOT YIELD TO THE TRIALS AND DIFFICULTIES OF LIFE.
James 1:2-4
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 2 Corinthians 1:9-11
4. BEING A PART OF A LOVING, CARING COMMUNITY IS REASON FOR GREAT
JOY. John 17:14-17
Scripture: John 13:34-35, Acts 2:41-47, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Romans 12:9-10
Christians do not belong to this world, John 17:14-17, Philippians 3:20. Our
citizenship is in heaven. We are fortunate we have others with whom we can
share our pain and burdens with, Hebrews 10:19-25, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, James
5:16.
CONCLUSION: Jesus spoke of complete JOY! John 15:9-11.
• There is some difference between happiness and joy.
• Happiness is a reaction to something great.
• Biblical joy is the product or result of something great.
• Jesus died to erase guilt and shame, the very items that destroy us and that
rob our joy.
• Joy supernaturally sustains our souls in seasons of heartache, injustice, and
sorrow.
• Joy in Christ helps us endure the struggle of life! Are you not joyful in the
Lord and because of the Lord? What an awesome Lord we serve and follow!