43 min
04 Fruit of the Spirit: Joy Wednesday in the Word
-
- Kristendom
We often think joy is synonymous with happiness -- something dependent on circumstances. However, Scripture presents an entirely different picture. Joy as a fruit of the Spirit results from hope and understanding, allowing us to be joyful no matter our circumstances.
Key Points
* Scripture teaches that joy coexists with suffering.
* Joy is how we respond when we know something good has come or is coming our way
* Joy is more closely tied with hope than happiness.
* Joy as a fruit of the Spirit results from believing in gospel—which transforms our worldview—and gives us an enduring hope.
* Passages: 2Corinthians 6:3-11; 2Corinthians 8:1-2; James 1:2-4; Matthew 13:44; John 16:21; Luke 15:4-10; Matthew 28:5-8; Romans 12:12; Romans 15:13; 1Thessalonians 5:16-18; Psalms 30:5; Galatians 5:25.
* Greek Word: Strong’s G5479.
Next: 05 Fruit of the Spirit: Peace
Previous: 03 Fruit of the Spirit: Love Part 2
Series: Fruit of the Spirit
Joy as a Fruit of the Spirit
Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians to correct the teaching of the Judaizers. The Judaizers thought that believing in Christ was a necessary first step to salvation, but that Gentile believers must also live like Jews and follow the Mosaic Law.
In the immediate context of this list, Paul argues that being free from the Law does not give us a license to pursue sin. As believers, we have a different motivation to avoid sin. We have the teaching and the guidance of the Spirit.
Today we're going to talk about joy. At first glance, there seems to be nothing to say. Everyone knows what joy is.
2Corinthians 6:3-11
The easiest way to define joy is to look at what joy is not. Our gut reaction is joy is the same thing as happiness. When I have joy, I feel good about everything. But the Bible frequently describes a situation where we feel terrible and have joy. For example, in 2Corinthians, Paul describes the difficulties of being an apostle.
3We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. - 2Corinthians 6:3-11
The biblical perspective is that we can be joyful i...
We often think joy is synonymous with happiness -- something dependent on circumstances. However, Scripture presents an entirely different picture. Joy as a fruit of the Spirit results from hope and understanding, allowing us to be joyful no matter our circumstances.
Key Points
* Scripture teaches that joy coexists with suffering.
* Joy is how we respond when we know something good has come or is coming our way
* Joy is more closely tied with hope than happiness.
* Joy as a fruit of the Spirit results from believing in gospel—which transforms our worldview—and gives us an enduring hope.
* Passages: 2Corinthians 6:3-11; 2Corinthians 8:1-2; James 1:2-4; Matthew 13:44; John 16:21; Luke 15:4-10; Matthew 28:5-8; Romans 12:12; Romans 15:13; 1Thessalonians 5:16-18; Psalms 30:5; Galatians 5:25.
* Greek Word: Strong’s G5479.
Next: 05 Fruit of the Spirit: Peace
Previous: 03 Fruit of the Spirit: Love Part 2
Series: Fruit of the Spirit
Joy as a Fruit of the Spirit
Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians to correct the teaching of the Judaizers. The Judaizers thought that believing in Christ was a necessary first step to salvation, but that Gentile believers must also live like Jews and follow the Mosaic Law.
In the immediate context of this list, Paul argues that being free from the Law does not give us a license to pursue sin. As believers, we have a different motivation to avoid sin. We have the teaching and the guidance of the Spirit.
Today we're going to talk about joy. At first glance, there seems to be nothing to say. Everyone knows what joy is.
2Corinthians 6:3-11
The easiest way to define joy is to look at what joy is not. Our gut reaction is joy is the same thing as happiness. When I have joy, I feel good about everything. But the Bible frequently describes a situation where we feel terrible and have joy. For example, in 2Corinthians, Paul describes the difficulties of being an apostle.
3We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. - 2Corinthians 6:3-11
The biblical perspective is that we can be joyful i...
43 min