Carey Scott Cwsermons@aol.com
at http://members.aol.com/Cwsermons/ and
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Let us consider what biblical joy is. Unlike a fleeting moment of happiness or laughter; unlike the pleasure of a beautiful sight, unlike a close gathering of friends or loved ones, true joy is given to us because of our relationship with God.

According to Paul in Rom 3:23, all people are sinners separated from God, but when they turn from their sin and start serving the Lord by obedience; they must learn that God has forgiven them and must truly be thankful that their sins are no longer accounted towards them.

The word "joy" in the New King James Bible is found 158 times; joyful is found 23 times; joyfully is found 7 times; joyous is found 5 times; joyously is found 1 time.

Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV)
Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Jehovah has joy in us when we are faithful and obedient.

Luke 15:7 (NKJV)
"I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

By our obedience to Him, we are also sharing in a joy which God has. We become one in thought and action and what is His becomes ours and what is ours becomes His.

There is a broad distinction between mere gladness and spiritual joy. Spiritual joy rises from within the soul and does not depend on the outward circumstances of life.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, {2} looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Matthew 5:11-12 (NKJV)
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. {12} "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NKJV)
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. {8} Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. {9} And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. {10} Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 7:4 (NKJV)
Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.

This joy is twofold in nature. It is the joy of self-surrender to God. True joy can only begin when self has been surrendered to God.

James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, {3} knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. {4} But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Matthew 16:24 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; {7} and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

It is the joy of fellowship with the Father. We must understand we have a relationship with almighty God. We have a relationship of a higher being than ourselves. Whenever one is involved in a relationship, there are responsibilities and obligations necessary to continue that relationship.

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

How do we obtain this joy?
It is a gift of God as a result of our obedience.

Galatians 5:22 (NKJV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Romans 14:17 (NKJV)
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (NKJV)
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalms 51:8 (NKJV)
Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.

Psalms 51:12 (NKJV)
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

There are methods He uses for imparting this gift. There can be no real joy that is not founded upon the scriptures.

John 15:11 (NKJV)
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

1 John 1:4 (NKJV)
And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

He also uses public worship to give us joy. How many times do we come to worship in a tired, wornout, burdened spirit, only to go home refreshed strengthened and happy.

Psalms 122:1 (NKJV)
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD."

Psalms 73:16 (NKJV)
When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me;

Isaiah 56:7 (NKJV)
Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations."

It also comes because of our trust in the Lord.

1 Peter 1:8 (NKJV)
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

2 Timothy 1:12 (NKJV)
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NKJV)
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. {7} I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. {8} Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

The strength that comes through joy. We know from practical experience that happy workers are productive workers. The joy of the Lord is our strength in the face of temptations. How many times have we given in to Satan's goals? If you have a conscience, do you remember how you feel? How do you feel when you overcome temptation?

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

The joy of the Lord is our strength for service. No one can do His word and work well unless his heart is in it, and no one can have his heart in his work unless he enjoys it.

Psalms 40:8 (NKJV)
I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart."

The joy of the Lord is our strength for endurance. This makes us stronger because of all the problems this life has to offer.

Hebrews 10:32-39 (NKJV)
But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: {33} partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; {34} for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. {35} Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. {36} For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: {37} "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. {38} Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." {39} But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

A few more thoughts about JOY

Job 20:5 (NKJV)
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?

You see that false joy is only a feeling or a gush of emotion. True joy will last forever.

Ecclesiastes 2:26 (NKJV)
For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

The man who strives for wisdom and knowledge will also find joy. This is a gift from God when we apply ourselves to Him and His work.

Philippians 2:2 (NKJV)
fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Paul says that when he hears of his converts remaining faithful and doing the will of God, that he is very happy.

3 John 1:4 (NKJV)
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

John felt the same way.

Think about this ------------------for a long time.

Jesus first
Others second
Yourself last

This is the true principle of joy, and the formula of a joyful life.
Do you have joy in your life. If you are faithful to the Lord, then you do. But if you are not faithful, then you cannot have true joy. You might think that you are happy and full of joy, but you can be deceived into believing a lie. Examine yourself very carefully. Do what God wants you to do and God will give you this joy.

Carey Scott, Evangelist
Greenwood Village Church (TX)
Cwsermons@aol.com