John Lloyd - Joy
/Strengthen Your Core Series
Joy: God’s Provision for Endurance
September 1, 2019
Pastor John Lloyd
Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. The journey of becoming like Jesus begins by thinking like Jesus. When we start thinking like Jesus, we are well on our way to becoming like Jesus. Today we will focus on joy as God’s provision for endurance.
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
Key Idea: Despite my circumstances, I feel inner contentment and understand my purpose in life.
What gives us true happiness and contentment in this life?
I. Find the real source of _____________.
Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
If seeking blessings first, joy depends on the blessings. If seeking Jesus first, joy depends on our unchanging Savior.
John 15:9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Takeaway:
II. Joy is available even in the ___________________ circumstances.
Philippians 4: 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 11:34)
Habakkuk 3:17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.
Joy has more to do with remaining in the presence of Jesus than avoiding problems and struggles of this life. (see Psalm 16:11)
Happiness is a state of mind; joy is a mindset.
Happiness comes and goes while joy can be constant.
Happiness is dependent, joy is independent.
Happiness is conditional, joy is unconditional. Randy Frazee
Takeaway:
III. Choosing joy brings ___________________ and _________________.
James 1: 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. I Peter 1:6-8
John 16:22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
Only Jesus can make our lives flourish in the midst of trouble. In Him, joy is strengthened when life is challenging. Joy can grow through our difficult circumstances.
Takeaway:
IV. Joy comes when the _____________ are _______________.
Luke 15:3 So he told them this parable: 4“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 10:20)
Takeaway:
V. Joy will replace or reduce _________________.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Nehemiah 8:10 And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Joy becomes a filter by which we view life. It’s not rose colored glasses; it’s a brand new set of eyes. Joy changes our perspective and perception of negative circumstances. Joy is an ongoing reminder that God is in control. He is in charge of the outcome. Joy comes from trusting the controller of all things. Frazee
The joy of Christ will become contagious through us.
The joy of Christ will draw others to Christ through us.
Joy, use a scale of 1 – 6 to rate how fully your life demonstrates the statements below (1 = does not demonstrate at all, 6 = demonstrates fully).
______I have inner contentment even when things go wrong.
______ Circumstances do not dictate my mood.
______ I am excited about my sense of purpose for my life.
______ I can be content with the money and possessions that I now have.
Spiritual Growth Questions for September 1, 2019
(take one question each day and grow deeper in joy)
1. Carefully read Psalm 16. As you read make note of what the psalmist (David) did to increase his joy. What does he warn that will increase sorrow? What verse stands out to you? How can it be applied in your life right now?
2. Read John 10:10, Romans 14:17-18, Philippians 4:4, I Thess. 5:16. Describe what each one teaches us about the Christian life.
3. Read Psalm 16:11, Psalm 66:18, Isaiah 59:2. Christian joy is essentially the enjoyment of communion with God. In view of this, what do Psalm 66:18 and Isaiah 59:2 suggest concerning a common hindrance to joy? What then should be one of the first things we do when we are not experiencing the joy of the Lord?
4. Read James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5 gives us God’s perspective regarding trials of our faith that He either allows or sends into our lives. What is this perspective? How could we maintain joy in the midst of trials?
5. Read Romans 15:13, 15:4 and Romans 8:28. What is the promise given to us? Does the fulfillment of this promise depend on our believing it? Explain your answer. How can the message of Romans 15:13 help us appropriate the promise of Romans 8:28?
6. Taking the long-range view of life helps us increase our joy. Study the following passages of Scripture, and then describe what it means to take the long-range view. Read Romans 5:2, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Hebrews 10:34, I Peter 1:6.
How often do you joyfully acknowledge God’s goodness in your life? Identify one good thing God has given to you or done for you in the past week.
Take a moment to celebrate it with someone else.
What is impeding your ability to choose a lifestyle of joy?
How can you overcome this obstacle?
List two or three Scriptures used in this outline to help you grow in your joy. How can you master these verses so that they can be effective in your life?
What action step can you take this week to increase the presence of joy in your daily life?