The Fight for Joy

Not a comprehensive study of the expansive subject of joy, but a practical look at how we can experience joy during the time of advent; of waiting for Jesus to return, even as the world around us spins more and more into chaos.

I. The Value of Joy

Joy – The second listed of the 9-fold fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) – Given by God for the benefit of His people. It is, then, a part of the experience of being a Christian. It is a gift from God.

Joy is closely related to gladness and happiness, but significantly different.

Unlike happiness or gladness, joy is not an emotion. It is a state of being. (Doesn’t come/go with weather). That’s significant and really important for us to understand in our “waiting for Jesus.”

What difference does that make?

· Because it’s a state and not a feeling, we can experience joy even when we’re not happy.

· Joy is a gift that we cannot lose.

· It’s a disposition we must choose. Joy cannot be taken away from us, but it can be left uncultivated or unutilized. Further, I can let people or circumstances rob me of remembering that joy is mine always through the Holy Spirit.

Choosing this disposition is often hard, so it can be characterized as a spiritual fight.

· That said, with these characteristics, joy is an extremely powerful weapon in the war with the world, the flesh, and the devil.

II. The Nature of the Fight for Joy

How do we live with joy in a fallen world while we wait on Jesus’ return? The answer is IN the question!

Because Jesus is coming again, we can live in a state of joy, just as Jesus did – at all times, even while hanging on a cross.

Hebrews 12:1–2 CSB

1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

He is…

· our goal – “keeping our eyes on Jesus”; holding on to what He has done (redeemed us) and what He will do (retrieve us).

· our power – the author and perfecter of our faith – Redemption was God’s from start through completion. It has never been nor ever will be about OUR power/ability.

· our example: For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God

Question 1: Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him. What was that joy? At least three things:

· Accomplishing His Father’s will

· Redeeming a people of His own possession

· Defeating death once and for all

Question 2: He despised the shame. What does that mean?

It means he didn’t let it affect him.

The joy was so intense and magnificent, the shame meant nothing and had no effect. The joy could not be taken away and the joy was the weapon Jesus used to overcome the shame, the pain, and the defeat that should have been the cross. He kept the joy out in front of Him; eyes locked on the end, not the process.

This same joy is our weapon as we wait for His return: John 14-16

· John 14:1-2, 18 — Jesus promised He would get us - If Jesus promised to come for us and nothing can prevent Him, that generates joy.

John 14:1–2 CSB

1 “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?

John 14:18 CSB

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.

· John 14: 27-29 - Jesus promises to give peace through the comforter which is a source of joy

John 14:27–29 CSB

27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe.

· John 15:9-11 (context = 15:1-8 – abide in me) – Abiding in Jesus (walking daily with Jesus, “walking in my love/keeping his commands” which is to love one another) leads to Jesus joy being in us (same joy the made Jesus endurance of the cross – Hebrews 12:2), and our joy being complete.

John 15:9–11 CSB

9 “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

· John 16:16, 19-22 – We have sorrow now, but the sorrow will be turned to joy.

John 16:19–22 CSB

19 Jesus knew they wanted to ask him, and so he said to them, “Are you asking one another about what I said, ‘In a little while, you will not see me; again in a little while, you will see me’? 20 Truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. 22 So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you.

John 16:16 CSB

16 “In a little while, you will no longer see me; again in a little while, you will see me.”

III. How the Apostles Experienced Victory Through the Weaponry of Joy

This is how the apostles (which includes Paul) battled against the Enemy who also worked towards their defeat:

Acts 5:40-41 – rejoicing after being flogged.

Acts 5:40–41 CSB

40 After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. 41 Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name.

Peter would later write:

1 Peter 1:5–9 CSB

5 You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials 7 so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

On the same subject, Romans 8:16-18

Romans 8:16–18 CSB

16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.

Though he uses “glory” and not “joy,” there is reason to believe this includes joy – 1 Peter 4:13.

1 Peter 4:13 CSB

13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.

IV. Strategies for the Battle : Train your mind towards ultimate, joy-filled reality

Paul summarizes the strategy even while in Jail. Phil. 4:8

Philippians 4:8 CSB

8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.

Some things to train your minds towards:

1. Jesus has saved you – rejoice that your names are written in the book of life. Rejoice that it isn’t because of your ability to achieve it!

Romans 5: 6-11

Ephesians 1:13 - In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

2. Jesus has assured your victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil now –

Promise: John 16:33 - In this world you will have trouble...

Instruction: James 4:7 – Submit to God, resist the devil…

Provision (Why the devil will flee): 1 John 4:4 – Greater is he that is in me…

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3. Jesus is giving you strength amid the chaos - Romans 8:31-39

4. Jesus turns your endurance into glory - Romans 8:28 sanctification. 2 Cor. 3:18

5. Jesus is glorified in your joy – John 15:8. God is glorified when we bear all kinds of fruit, especially joy when there is no other explanation than the work of God.

6. Jesus is coming again to make all things right. John 14, 16

7. Jesus is in control -- the chaos is wrath on display - Romans 1

Conclusion:

We can overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil as we submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, walk daily with Jesus, and remember all the things He has done for us that nothing can take away. In this way, sharing communion together is both an expression of worship and trust in Jesus, and serves as weaponry in our fight for joy – remembering and reciting what Jesus has done to secure eternal joy with Him in the presence of the Father!

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