Fruit of the Spirit

I think Christians can learn something from our pet dogs. Here is a list someone complied of things human can learn from their dogs.

1. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a

joyride.

2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the

wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

3. When loved ones come home, always run to

greet them.

6. Take naps often and stretch before rising.

7. Run, romp, and play daily.

8. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

9. Be loyal.

10. Never pretend to be something you're not.

12. When someone is having a bad day, be

silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them

gently.

13. Thrive on attention and let people touch

you.

14. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

16. When you're happy, dance around and wag

your entire body.

17. No matter how often you're scolded, don't

buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right

back and make friends.

18. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

[From the internet. Source unknown.]

We’re going to look at joy this morning. What is joy? How can we be filled with joy? As we continue to see how we need to produce the fruit of the spirit in our lives, let’s look more closely at joy.

PRAYER

I. The Definition of Joy

A. What the Greek means

1. The Greek word for joy includes gladness and delight

2. It is used over 60 times in the New Testament.

3. The verb rejoice is used over 70 times.

4. This is a popular theme among the New Testament writers!

B. A word closely related to joy is grace

1. Vines defines grace: That which bestows or occasions pleasure, delight, or causes favorable regard.

2. By definition, grace produces joy!

C. The connection between grace and joy

1. joy is proportional to the amount of grace we perceive we have received.

a) If you get a small gift, your joy may be minimal.

b) Get a large gift and your joyous reaction is probably going to be greater.

2. As Christians we should be the most joyous people around.

a) We have been given the greatest gift there ever was. Salvation.

b) Billy Sunday once said, “if you have no joy in your religion, there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere.”

c) We need to be living examples of what Paul said in Phil 4:4 - Rejoice always and again I say rejoice.

3. Many years ago some men were panning for gold in Montana, and one of them found an unusual stone. Breaking it open, he was excited to see that it contained gold. Working eagerly, the men soon discovered an abundance of the precious metal. Happily, they began shouting with delight, "We've found it! We've found gold! We're rich!" They had to interrupt their celebrating, though, to go into a nearby town and stock up on supplies. Before they left camp, the men agreed not to tell a soul about their find. Indeed, no one breathed a word about it to anyone while they were in town. Much to their dismay, however, when they were about to return, hundreds of men were prepared to follow them. When they asked the crowd to tell who "squealed," the reply came, "No one had to. Your faces showed it!"

4. That should be continual look on our faces because of the grace of God in our lives.

II. The Source of Joy for the Christian

A. Joy is a consequence of faith

1. Joy comes from having a confident faith in God

2. Why is faith essential to joy?

a) It dispels the attitudes that prevent joy form occurring.

b) Christians shouldn’t be weighed down by doubt, worry or fear.

3. We have faith that God will work all for our good.

B. Joy is also the result of obedience

1. We don’t always associate obedience with joy, but obedience to God’s word brought joy to those who obeyed.

a) The Samaritans Acts 8:5-8

b) Ethiopian Eunuch Acts 8:35-39

c) The Thessalonians 1 Thess 1:6

2. Heb 10:26-27 says disobedience produces fear

a) If you are missing joy in your life, could it be because of disobedience to God?

b) Gives you something to chew on doesn’t it?

C. Joy is bases on forgiveness

1. The guilt of sin is a major reason why many people lack joy.

2. I have talked with far too many discouraged people who once we started really digging in to why they were discouraged found at the root of the problem a sin they couldn’t forgive themselves for.

3. When they were able to find forgiveness from God, maybe the person they had also sinned against and even forgiveness from themselves, they were able to establish a joyful life again.

4. David discovered this important principle and wrote about it in Psa 32.

a) in v1-2 he says blessed is the man who’s sins are forgiven.

b) v3-4 he talks about how sin had been eating him up inside.

c) v5 - he confessed his sin and was forgiven

d) He ends the psalm by saying rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous. Sing all you who are upright in heart.

D. Joy comes from Christian fellowship

1. We see that among our group quite clearly.

2. Let’s continue to build joy through Christian fellowship and find ways to involve others in our fellowship.

E. Joy comes from Christian Service

1. Ask those who have been involved in Christian service and most will say they felt good about it.

2. I have talked with several people who used part of their vacation time to do mission work or help at church camp. Shortly after returning home, they were making plans for the next time because they gained so much from giving.

III. Conclusion

A. The greatest joy comes from being right with God.

1. I read a story that touched my heart in many way this week. It’s just a short little story, yet the power behind it was incredible to me. I hope it does something for you as well.

2. An elderly Christian lady lay dying. Her beloved husband sat by her bedside tenderly holding her hand. They both knew that the end was near and that they soon would be parted. As their eyes met, a tear flowed down the old woman's wrinkled cheek. Gently, her husband wiped it away. Then, with a quaver in his voice, he said, "Thank God, Mary, that's the last!"

3. Even in the sorrow of parting, there can be joy for those who are ready to be with God.

4. I dread the day that Helene and I will have to part here on earth, but if we can part like that, my life will have been filled with the joy that matters most.