JOY UNSPEAKABLE

Joy Unspeakable

INTRO Now this is not a Christmas message; it is not even Thanksgiving! But I asked Tony and the Worship team to sing this next song because it is a great introduction to my message. Please sing along and get an early jump into the Christmas spirit!

SONG Joy, Unspeakable Joy

Joy is meant to be a part of the Christian life.

Isaiah prophesied it…

Isaiah 35:10 (NKJV) And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

The angels proclaimed it…

Luke 2:10–11 (NKJV) Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Jesus preached it…

John 15:11 (NKJV) “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Peter penned it…

1 Peter 1:8 (AV) Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Now I am not one of those who goes around with a perpetual smile on my face and saying ’Hallelujah’ to everything that happens.

Proverbs 27:14 (NKJV) He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will be counted a curse to him.

Bad things happen to God’s people and it makes us sad.

During this series I want to explore several things: 1. The difference between joy and happiness; 2. Things that steal your joy, joy suckers; 3. How to get your joy back and live in it; 4. The results of a joy filled life.

PRAYER

1. Joy is not an emotion. Emotions come out of our soul and are affected by our circumstances. Happiness is an emotion; sadness is an emotion. Joy comes out of our spirit and is produced by the Holy Spirit and the Presence of God.

Galatians 5:22 (NKJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Acts 2:28 (NKJV) You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.

QUOTES Joy is proof to the world that God can fully satisfy the human heart. Bill Gothard

Joy is not a luxury or a mere accessory in the Christian life. It is the sign that we are really living in God’s wonderful love, and that love satisfies us. Andrew Murray

2.  Joy is not impacted by circumstances. This seems like a contradiction, but it is possible to be unhappy and have joy at the same time.

Quote: Joy is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ. William Vander Hoven

Psalms 30:5 (NKJV) For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

2 Corinthians 6:10 (NKJV) as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.

2 Corinthians 8:2 (NKJV) that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

James 1:2 (NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

3.  We learn to make the choice to live out of our spirit, and not out of our soul.

Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV) Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Isaiah 12:3 (NKJV) Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV) To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

APPLICATION How do we live this out in everyday life?

1.     The spirit must dominate our lives.

Body: five senses

Soul: mind, will, emotions

Spirit: conscience, communion, intuition

Romans 8:5–6 (NKJV) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Galatians 5:16 (NKJV) I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

2.     Jesus commanded us to seek the Kingdom of God above all else.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Luke 17:21 (NKJV) nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.

3.   When we bind our spirit with God’s Spirit, then the attributes of God activate in our lives.

Romans 8:14 (NKJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Romans 8:16 (NKJV) The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Romans 14:17 (NKJV) for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

ACTION STEPS The next time you are in a tough situation that is causing your joy to disappear, try the steps outlined in this passage from the Bible.

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (NKJV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

1.      Who am I listening to? What part of me is ruling my life right now?

2.      What are they saying: stronghold, arguments and imaginations, high things.

3.      I bring every thought under Jesus’ control.

4.      I let my spirit rule over all disobedience.