The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy

1. Read: Galatians 5:22-23

2. About the Text:

1) What does it mean to be spiritual?

2) It means to be guided by the Spirit of God in your spirit.

3) We need our desires to originate from within our spirit, not our flesh.

4) Fleshly desires originate within the flesh.

5) Spiritual desires originate within the spirit.

6) Joy is a spiritual desire!

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Humans don’t define joy.

1) Joy is not happiness.

2) “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You” (Psalm 5:11).

2. God gives joy.

1) It is a fruit of the Spirit – “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).

2) “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24).

3) “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

3. Jesus Knew Joy

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

2) “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves” (John 17:13).

3) “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:20).

4. Joy comes from truth.

1) “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:4).

2) “whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8).

3) “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4).

1. Joy brings peace.

1) When we rejoice in the Lord, “…the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippans 4:7).

2) “For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother” (Philemon 1:7).

3) “Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord” (Philemon 1:20).

4) We have peace when we all accept, believe, and obey the truth.

2. When we have joy, we are not causing disruption with discontentment.

1) “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy” (Proverbs 12:20).

2) “By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices” (Proverbs 29:6).

3) “My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak right things” (Proverbs 23:15-16).

3. Peace in eternity.

1) “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 1:24).

2) “…rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

1. Happiness ends, but joy endures.

1) “Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs” (Isaiah 61:7).

2) “Rejoice always!” (1 Thess.5:16).

2. Joy keeps us grounded in what is real.

1) We don’t set up artificial standards of happiness but are content with God’s provisions.

2) “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

3) “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

3. Joy endures through trials.

1) “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you” (John 16:22).

2) “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” (1 Peter 4:13).

1. The fruit of the Spirit is joy …

1) Joy Originates from the Spirit of God

2) Joy Brings Peace

3) Joy Endures

2. Invitation