Characteristics of a Christian: Joy
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:19-24
Fighting For Christian Joy
Philippians 4:4; Matthew 13:44; James 1:2-4, Hebrews 10:34; Psalm 16:11; John 15:8-12
If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.
C.S. Lewis in “Mere Christianity“
Outline:
- Fight for joy by obeying the command to rejoice (Philippians 4:4).
- Fight for joy by confessing our sin and trusting in Jesus’ salvation (Psalm 51:8-12).
- Fight for joy by working to love God and others (John 15:8-12).
- Fight for joy by trusting in Jesus during trials and suffering (James 1:2-4).
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Jesus in Matthew 13:44
Discussion Questions:
Have you ever known a person who lived out a fullness of Joy in Jesus?
Is the way you practice Christianity the source of joy for your life?
What do you think about this working definition of Joy?
Christian joy is the by-product of devotion to Jesus, it’s an attitude that the Spirit of God works in our hearts when our worship is set upon Jesus. Joy includes aspects of contentment and happiness, but is mostly a spiritual attitude that wells up within the person who knows and obeys and loves Jesus.
What kinds of things rob Christians of this kind of joy? (i.e. legalism, ongoing sinfulness, preoccupation with worldliness, looking to lesser things and counterfeits, etc.)
How is lack of joy a problem of worship?
Why is joy more of an attitude to be obtained than a passive happiness?
Why do we need to fight for joy?
Additional References:
Shore Community Church 