JOY 3

Hello Everyone,

The second thing that contributes to this fruit of joy is:

 CHRISTIANS HAVE JOY BECAUSE OF THEIR PURPOSE IN LIFE.

God has not created people without a purpose.

We can know His plan and grow in our understanding of the meaning of the purpose He has for every one of us.

When we align our wills with the will of God, He gives us His joy.

The gospel of John emphasizes a "fullness of joy."

In chapter 15 we see that fruit-bearing involves abiding in Christ, keeping His commandments, and continuing in His love.

Jesus states the purpose of this teaching in verse 11:

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

In chapter 16 Jesus encourages the disciples to pray in His name, and He promises they will receive, "that your joy may be made full" (verse 24).

In Romans 15:13 Paul prays, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Joy does not stand alone. In this verse it is linked with believing, hope, and peace.

A believer’s purpose in life includes many qualities. But our focus today is mainly on joy.

Even in pain and suffering, Paul knew that a believer can have joy. He experienced disappointment and deep sorrow.

Still, he wrote, "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Corinthians 6:l0).

In the next chapter Paul says, "I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction" (7:4).

In Acts 16 starting with verse 22, Luke described the occasion of Paul and Silas at Philippi.

As a result of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, they were disrobed, beaten with rods, and thrown into prison.

And their feet were fastened in the stocks.

Paul and Silas could have chosen to gripe. But they chose to grow-in joy.

·        Others may have decided to have a pity party, but they decided to pray.

·        Some may have decided to swear, but they chose to sing.

A harvest of joy is possible—even in prison.

The other prisoners were listening to them, and so was God.

Their singing did not wake up the jailer. The earthquake did that.

And as a result of the joy and testimony of Paul and Silas, the Philippian jailer was saved, baptized, and rejoiced greatly.

     His whole household came to believe in God.

Paul and Silas had a PURPOSE IN LIFE, and their purpose was full of joy.

·        Philippians 4:4"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!".

·        James 1:2 says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials."

·        1 Peter 1:8 "You greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory".

Greater Things Are Still To Come!