What are you looking at? Because whatever has your attention has your joy — or steals it. In the first message of our brand-new series, Joy in the Holy Spirit, Pastor Jerry Dirmann opens Romans 14:17 to show that the kingdom of God isn't found in circumstances, politics, or things that come and go — it's righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. In this Bible teaching, Pastor Jerry unpacks the difference between the Holy Spirit simply residing in you and the Holy Spirit actively filling your thoughts and emotions (Ephesians 5:18). Using Romans 15:13, Philippians 4:4-8, and the story of the wise men who "rejoiced with exceedingly great joy" (Matthew 2:10), he makes the case that rejoicing is not a feeling you wait for — it's a choice you make by fixing your attention on what God has already secured for you. You'll discover: ✓ Why right priorities matter — politics, circumstances, and headlines are important, but they are not ultimate (Romans 14:17) ✓ The God of hope who fills you with joy and peace as you trust Him (Romans 15:13) ✓ The difference between the Spirit resident in you and the Spirit filling you (Ephesians 5:18) ✓ Why "rejoice in the Lord always" is a command, not a suggestion (Philippians 4:4-8) ✓ How the wise men modeled joy by choosing what to look at (Matthew 2:10) ✓ Full joy available through abiding in Jesus (John 15:11) ✓ An incorruptible inheritance reserved in heaven that produces "joy inexpressible and full of glory," even without having seen Jesus (1 Peter 1:3-9) If you've been feeling weighed down by the news cycle, your circumstances, or just life in general, this message will help you shift your gaze — and your joy will follow. This is the kind of practical, Scripture-centered teaching that builds solid lives that build solid lives. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Introduction: Joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) 7:40 - Right priorities: politics matters, but it isn't ultimate 14:05 - Romans 15:13 - the God of hope fills you with joy and peace 25:14 - Ephesians 5:18 - filled with the Spirit, not just resident 28:38 - Philippians 4:4-8 - "Rejoice in the Lord always" 33:06 - To rejoice is a choice, not a feeling 35:33 - The wise men: rejoicing with exceedingly great joy (Matthew 2:10) 42:43 - John 15:11 - that your joy may be full 49:20 - What are you looking at? Applying the choice to rejoice 50:58 - 1 Peter 1:3-9 - joy inexpressible and full of glory 59:23 - Closing challenge and prayer 📍 VISIT US Service Times: Sundays at 8am, 9:30am, and 11:30am Website: www.gototherock.com 🔔 CONNECT WITH US Fill out our connect card: https://form.jotform.com/200927752854159 Watch more messages: www.YouTube.com/@gototherock Jesus Disciple Network: www.therocknetwork.com Media Library: www.therocknetwork.media 🎓 JESUS DISCIPLE UNIVERSITY — ENROLLMENT OPEN Stop attending. Start multiplying. The world doesn't need better informed Christians — it needs trained disciple-makers who multiply. That's what JDU trains you to do: real training, a real cohort, real practice, with the Bible as the textbook. You lead a real group before you graduate. Enroll now: jduonline.com 💝 SUPPORT THIS MINISTRY Give online: https://pushpay.com/g/therock Your generosity helps us reach more people with the message of hope! If this message helped you choose joy today, subscribe for weekly Bible teaching from Pastor Jerry Dirmann, and share it with someone who needs some joy this week. Drop a comment and tell us — what are you choosing to look at today? #TheRockChurch #PastorJerryDirmann #JoyInTheHolySpirit