When Ordinary People Are Filled With Joy
A New Commitment - When Ordinary People are Filled with Joy! • Sermon • Submitted
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When Ordinary People Are Filled With Joy
When Ordinary People Are Filled With Joy
INTRODUCTION
We have been looking at what happens when ordinary people connect with an extraordinary God. The Bible is full of their stories. Think of Peter and John – ordinary uneducated fishermen, Elisha - a man ‘just like us’ and the Israelites – a group of people whose lives were full of trial and mistakes. These were all normal people who experienced the highs and lows of everyday life, but learnt that God can make our lives extraordinary when we connect with him.
Today, we will look at what can happen when ordinary people are filled with Joy, and how to facilitate Joy!
What is Joy?
“Joy is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, confidence and hope.” - Theopedia
Webster's dictionary definition:
“To experience great pleasure or delight : REJOICE” - Webster's dictionary
“The emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: DELIGHT.” - Webster's dictionary
A. THE POWER OF JOY
10 He continued, “Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don’t have anything: This day is holy to God. Don’t feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!”
“Joy is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, confidence and hope.” - Theopedia
Webster's dictionary definition:
1) to experience great pleasure or delight : REJOICE, - Webster's dictionary
2) the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: DELIGHT. - Webster's dictionary
1. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal
22 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments,
2. God wants us to have JOY
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.
26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.
24 Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!
John 16:24
4 We write this to make our joy complete.
Joy is a product of Christ-likeness. When we seek God through His Word and prayer, we will receive joy!
3. Joy is good medicine
A whole-hearted laughter does good.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Even doctors recommend a good laugh as a way of staying healthy. Joy reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and boosts the immune system. Why do you think joy is good for you?
What difference does joy make?
What difference does joy make?
and . What difference does joy make?
4. The Joy of the Lord Produces Strength
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Neh.
“Joy is confident assurance”
B. EXAMPLES TO FOLLOW
1. Jesus’ mission was a difficult one – at times too difficult to bear. How did Jesus maintain his joy?
21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
, and .
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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2. Paul’s life was full of difficulty and heartache. You can read a summary of his hardships in . How did Paul maintain joy?
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
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3. Suppose a friend has been going through a difficult time. They have been reading , but are questioning how it is possible to apply it to their life. What would be your advice?
4. How would you answer someone who suggests that joyfulness is a personality trait – easier for some than others?
C. HOW TO LIVE JOYFULLY
A song of ascents.
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.
2 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.
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
. This was a song sung by the exiles when they had returned from Babylon to their home in the Promised Land. After waiting for seventy long years in a foreign land, God had finally fulfilled His promises to bring them back. It was a great time of celebration!
This was a song sung by the exiles when they had returned from Babylon to their home in the Promised Land. After waiting for seventy long years in a foreign land, God had finally fulfilled His promises to bring them back. It was a great time of celebration!
But once they arrived home, they were faced with major challenges. The projects to rebuild the temple and the city of Jerusalem were fraught with opposition and hardship. This song is a prayer for the fortunes of their homeland to be restored.
1. How did the exiles face the difficult times they were in?
2. The words we speak in faith are essential to living joyfully – even in the midst of difficult circumstances. What was the confession of the people in this Psalm? (v.5-6)
3. How does sowing in a time of tears bring a harvest of joy? (v.5-6)
In order to experience God’s joy in our lives, it is important to:
a. Take responsibility for your thoughts, your words and your actions.
b. Be a facilitator of Joy
7 He’ll be as stingy with you as he is with himself; he’ll say, “Eat! Drink!” but won’t mean a word of it.
20 Evil scheming distorts the schemer; peace-planning brings joy to the planner.
"Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy."
"Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy."
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
"It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity."
15 Good people celebrate when justice triumphs, but for the workers of evil it’s a bad day.
"It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity."
"It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity."
26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
"For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind."
"For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind."
C. Take confidence in God’s promises
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
6 There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
16 Be cheerful no matter what;
17 pray all the time;
18 thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
1 Thess. 5:
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
6 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.
7 Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
8 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
d. Stay in His Presence
11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm
11 Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way.
11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
How often do we need to have Joy?
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
4 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"
“Keep on rejoicing in the Lord at all times. I will say it again: Keep on rejoicing!” (, International Standard Version)
Philippians 4:4
Why?
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
28 That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
"Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy."
"It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity."
"For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind."