Foundational Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Again such there is no law. And those [who] [are] Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit.
I.
The Function of
Joy
Deuteronomy 28:47, 48
“Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies, in the Lord will send against you, in hunger, and thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and he will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you.”
The Scriptures revealed the consequence of serving God without joy. The absence of joy in a believer’s life will produce
On the other hand, those who cultivate the fruit of joy in their lives will experience
Joy is the strength that enables a person to remain steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. In essence, Joy is a preventative fruit that protects against falling into bondage in servitude to the enemy of God.
Our response to times of trials by God’s standard:
1 Peter 4:12, 13
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trials which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when his glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
II.
The Example of
Jesus
Hebrews 12:2-4
Looking unto Jesus, the author finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured to cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, least you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
Jesus was steadfast in his walk and life in with his father (Almighty God). He was always the same. Jesus was truly the ROCK of our salvation. We never read in the Gospels of the disciples coming to him and saying “Lord, I see a really bummed out today. What’s wrong?” Although he experienced all the range of emotions we do as well as the temptations he was steadfast. Even when he faced the cross. He was steadfast. In the garden, he submitted to the fathers will. At the cross he chose to love, forgive and lay his life down for us. How? Because of the JOY SET BEFORE HIM. That JOY was in relationship with you and I.
The same way, the joy of our relationship to Jesus enables us to be steadfast in the trials and circumstances of life.
III.
Joy in the Midst
of Trial
James 1:2-4
My brothers, count it all joy when you fallen to various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
The second function of joy is to the production of all things needful for abundant living. Those who cultivate and develop joy in their lives will experience fulfillment in all things.
The Greek word translated “patience” here is hupomone (hoop-om-on-ay’). It means steadfastness, consistency, endurance. Thus this verse could read “… Knowing that the test of your faith produces endurance. But let endurance have its perfect work.” The amplified Bible brings this out more fully:
“Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out to endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness in patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed (with no defects), lacking in nothing”.
According to Nehemiah 8:10, the source of endurance is joy “… For the joy of the Lord is your strength (your endurance).” We believers are going to endure our trials only as long as we are joyful, for we endure our trials only as long as we are joyful. Why? Because the strength to endure simply is not present without joy!
James 1:4 contains three promises for those who endure their trials with joy:
IV.
Joy, Faith and
Provision
Psalms 20 3:1
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
It is our intimate trusting relationship with God that releases His provision in our lives.
2 Peter 1:3
“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.”
Isaiah 12:3
“Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation”
Remember in our last lesson we found that salvation means “safety, soundness, deliverance, prosperity, preservation and health.” Joy is the bucket that enables a person to scoop down into the wells of salvation and draw out what ever is lacking in his life.
Proverbs 15:23
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word [spoken] in due season, how good [it] [is]!
The depth of our relationship to God will show up in the words of our mouth. These words can release the power of that relationship into our lives.
Review Questions
What is the function of Joy in the life of a believer?
What should our response be to trials in life?
What do trials (if we stay in God’s joy) produce?
How do we draw from the well of Salvation?