THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – JOY – (Week 2)
Joy may be defined in many ways by different individuals. A sunrise or a sunset may bring joy to some. Looking into the face of a newborn child may bring a certain amount of overwhelming joy to the parents. There is the joy of finishing a test, a course, taxes or the joy of being around others who share a certain commonality with us. Webster’s Dictionary defines “joy” as, “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: Delight; the expression or exhibition of such emotion: Gaiety; a state of happiness or felicity: Bliss; a source or cause of delight; to experience great pleasure or delight: Rejoice (gladden or enjoy).” p 625 Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary 1977 Springfield, Massachusetts.
The Old Testament Psalm number 51 is attributed to David. One of the verses says,
“Restore unto me the joy of my salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” (Vs 12)
The writer was keenly aware that salvation brings joy. He was also painfully aware of what happens when we forget that joy. He says to restore that joy to him. He desires that it would be returned to him as it had been in the past. Often we need to be reminded of our own salvation and what it cost to bring it into being. The Bible speaks of there being joy in the presence of the angels of God over the repentance of one sinner. (Luke 15:10)
The joy of salvation that is offered to all mankind is not a temporary experience that makes us feel good. Our salvation is based upon the blood of the Son of God being shed to remove our past sins. We have believed and we obey by being buried with Him in a watery grave of baptism for the remission of our past sins. We go down into the water to put the old man of sin to death once and for always. We resurrect a new creature out of that water that resembles the Savior, Jesus Christ.
The joy that we know having been forgiven of all those sins in our past is one that literally overwhelms us. Our rejoicing continues on a daily basis, though, as we are reminded of the continual cleansing power in the blood. (I John 1:7) Once we have been united with Christ and are added to the Church, His body, His bride, then we begin a process of growth that will accompany us throughout this life. As we continue studying these characteristics of the Spirit, we will be reminded of the necessity of our adding these personal traits to our own Christian lives. Our joy is not based upon external things in this life. Rather our joy comes from being a follower of Christ. Our joy gives you and me the ability to face any problem that comes our way knowing that the Savior has already traveled where we are going!
The little book of Philippians is one that overflows with the concept of joy. The words the Apostle Paul penned are the very words that the Holy Spirit wants us to hear and heed. The world looks at Paul and imagines he has lost his mind. After all, how can you possibly be happy in prison? How can you look at your circumstances and be thankful for your surroundings? How can you remain faithful to God and His Christ, when the world tells you they have abandoned you? And, yet, through it all, the Apostle Paul has reason to rejoice, whether it is in life or death! Study on. God will bless you for your diligence.
He will give you joy that the world cannot understand.
Larry R. Scott, minister
Serving the Churches of Christ
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – JOY – (Week 2) Thursday March 6th., 2008
1. Does “walking in the Spirit” allow us to have joy? (Galatians 5) _____________
2. Are we to pray for one another with joy? (Philippians 1:4) _____________
3. Is there any joy in our faith? (Philippians 1:25) _________________
4. How could the Philippians make Paul’s joy complete? (Philippians 2:1-11)
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5. How were the Philippian Christians Paul’s joy? (Philippians 4:1) ________________
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6. Can we rejoice like Paul in all circumstances? (Philippians 4:4) __________________
7. What does Isaiah say our rejoicing can be with? (Isaiah 35:2) _______________ and
______________
8. Is there any joy in bringing others to Christ? (Psalm 126:5-6) __________________
9. Does God give the righteous joy? (Ecclesiastes 2:26) _____________________
10. What did Zephaniah tell the children of Israel, that God would do?
(Zephaniah 3:17) ______________________________________________________
11. Can we lose our joy? (Matthew 13:20-21) ________________________
12. What exactly did Jesus mean in John 15:11?_________________________________
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13. Does God, the Father, and the Holy Spirit have an active role in filling us with joy?
(Romans 15:13) ____________________
14. Are we to joy when we are tempted? (James 1:2) _________________
15. What is the joy that is unspeakable in I Peter 1:8? ____________________________
16. What does Peter mean by the expression “exceeding joy”? (I Peter 4:13)
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Student________________ Date_________________ Grade_______________
Instructor: Larry R. Scott