Fruit of the spirit; Joy and Peace Gal. 5:22-23
Fruits of the Spirit • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
As we continue to look at the fruit of the spirit, it is important to note that these 9 characteristics make up one fruit and it is the fruit that all of us should bear through the power of the Holy Spirit of our life. Without living a Spirit filled life we cannot bear all of these characteristics.
Last week we looked at love, and how we should love as Jesus loved because he is the source of our love. Without the love of Christ we cannot show true love.
2 Corinthians 5:14–15 “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”
Christ’s love for us should urge us to live like him, which would be a life after the spirit and not after the flesh.
This evening we are going to look at two characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit; joy and peace
Joy
Joy
The source of our joy
What is the difference between happiness and joy?
Happiness is based off of happenstance, its based on circumstances
Most people are happy when they get a new puppy, but that happiness wears off whenever the puppy chews up your favorite pair of shoes or makes a mess on the carpet.
Joy is not based off circumstances.
People who have joy have it no matter the circumstances they are facing.
Joy comes from the Lord
Habakkuk 3:18“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
Someone said this “I do not think the church rejoices enough. We all grumble enough and groan enough: but very few of us rejoice enough.”
How do we get joy?
We get Joy by having a proper perspective and order for our life.
I remember growing up in children’s church and hearing this acrostic for JOY. Many tonight probably know what I’m about to say and if you do say it out loud with me.
Joy stands for Jesus, Others, Yourself
Think about how many times jesus told his disciples in the Gospel that following him would cost them something, but they would also find something in Him if they gave up their life (wants and desires) for his sake.
Matthew 16:25 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
Be selfish and try to keep your life, and you’ll lose it. Give your life away for Jesus, and you’ll find it. The life you’re looking for is found when you lose it, when you unselfishly give yourself away. Radical generosity—giving your life away for Jesus and others—is the way to joy!
Jesus - 1 Corinthians 10:31–33 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
We put Jesus first by doing everything for His honour and glory. We put Jesus first by loving Him more than anything else and giving Him the preeminence in our life.
If we want true Joy it starts with Jesus.
Others - Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
As believers we should follow the example Jesus set for us
Matthew 20:28 “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
How do we put the needs of others before ourselves as christians?
We share the gospel no matter how awkward it may be, We show others the love of Christ, and We minister to those in need as Christ did.
Yourself
I think this is the hardest to do because we are selfish by nature.
We sometimes get these out of wack.
We try to spell joy, yjo or jyo, but you will never have true joy without putting these in the proper order in our lives.
Nehemiah 8:10 tells us the joy of the Lord is our strength. Do we find joy in the Lord?
John 3:29 “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.”
John the Baptists joy was fulfilled when Christ was magnified, the next verse tells us he must increase and I must decrease.
Our joy should also be fulfilled when Christ is magnified.
We can shout with Joy because the Lord defends us
Psalm 5:11 “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: Let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”
We can find fullness of joy in the presence of the saviour
Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
In the Christian life we can only find Joy where Christ is magnified and others are ministered to above ourself.
Peace
Peace
Peace can be defined as the state of well being and concord
The source of our peace
Mark 4:36–41 “And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
If Jesus can calm a storm on the sea with just a simple command he can calm the storm in our life as well.
1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
How did Jesus bring us peace?
Colossians 1:20“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
The blood that Jesus shed for us brought peace between God and man, before Christ blood was shed we were at war with God. one definition would say peace is the absence of war, and when we accept Christ as our saviour we have peace instead of war with God through Jesus Christ .
Romans 5:1 tells us the same thing “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them.”
Jesus is our peace
Ephesians 2:11–22 “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
He has torn the vail in two and given us peace and access to God!!
As Christians how do we live a life of peace
1 Peter 3:11 “Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.”
Flee from evil
do good
Seek peace
Pursue peace
Christ promise of peace
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
The kind of peace Jesus brings in our lives
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
James tells us that the fruit of righteousness is sown (planted) in peace of them that make peace
Without peace there is disunity and the Psalmest tells us how good and how excellent it is that the brethren dwell together in unity.
Conclusion
Conclusion
As believers we are called to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Tonight we saw two characteristics; joy and peace.
If we want true joy we must put Jesus first, others second, and ourselves third. As Christians our joy should be overflowing into the lives of others around us.
Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
The only place you’ll find peace is Jesus Christ
He gives us hope When hope is gone He gives us strength When we can't go on He gives us shelter In the storms of life When there's no peace on earth There is peace in Christ