Are You Filled with Joy

Are You Filled with Joy?

January 20, 2008

Introduction

Are you filled with joy? Does it matter? Are you happy? Are joy and happiness the same thing? What is happiness? What is joy?

What does the bible say about happiness? -- Very little: The word occurs twice in the NKJV (Acts 26:2 NKJV) ""I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,"

(Rom 14:22 NKJV) "Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves."

The NASB has happiness in only one verse: Romans 14:22.

On the other hand, the Living Bible uses the word “happy” 50 times. Does it matter? What a “happy”?

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
happy

1340, "lucky," from hap "chance, fortune" (see haphazard), sense of "very glad" first recorded c.1390. Ousted O.E. eadig (from ead "wealth, riches") and gesælig, which has become silly. O.E. bliðe "happy" survives as blithe. From Gk. to Ir., a great majority of the European words for "happy" at first meant "lucky." An exception is Welsh, where the word used first meant "wise." Used in World War II and after as a suffix (e.g. bomb-happy, flak-happy) expressing "dazed or frazzled from stress." Happiness is first recorded 1530. Happy hour "early evening period of discount drinks and free hors-d'oeuvres at a bar" is first recorded 1961. Happy-go-lucky is from 1672. Happy as a clam (1636) was originally happy as a clam in the mud at high tide, when it can't be dug up and eaten.

So what does the Bible say instead of saying “happy” as the Living Bible has it? The words: blessed, rejoice, joy, and be glad are used instead. Is there a difference? Yes! God is not a God of chance or happenstance, or something just happened. I think that helps to explain why Paul said some of the things that he said.

Body

I. Christians are encouraged to rejoice in the Lord.

A. Jesus told us to rejoice even when being persecuted.

(Mat 5:10-11 NKJV) "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake."

Would your really say, “Happy are those who are persecuted”?

B. Paul lived by this concept.

(Phil 4:4 NKJV) "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"

1. Where was Paul?

(Phil 1:7 NKJV) "just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace."

2. By the grace of God, he could rejoice even though he was in prison.

3. Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites tell the people not to sorrow.

(Neh 8:9-10 NKJV) "And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. {10} 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.""

C. Happenstance would make you weep because they learned how they had sinned.

1. But there was forgiveness for them from God.

2. God is above happenstance.

II. So Paul can say, have a great spirit.

A. He tells the church of Galatia to have joy and love.

(Gal 5:22-23 NKJV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

B. Our lives are not to governed by happenstance, but by the spirit and power of God.

C. You’ve probably heard someone say, “Have a blessed day.” That’s a great way to say it.

D. It is this spirit of love, joy, peace, that is so important.

III. Jesus said it was love that would be the mark of His disciples.

(John 13:35 NKJV) ""By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.""

A. Jesus tied obedience to God, love, and joy, all together.

(John 15:9-13 NKJV) ""As the Father loved Me, I also have 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 remain in you, and that your joy may be full. {12} "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. {13} "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

B. What keeps us from being what we should be?

(Mat 13:22 NKJV) ""Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful."

1. Even Martha missed the fellowship of the Lord because of cares of the world.

(Luke 10:40-42 NKJV) "But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." {41} And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. {42} "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.""

2. We love Martha’s rolls so much that it’s easy to chose Martha instead of Mary.

a. It’s easy to choose the “happiness” of the moment.

b. And miss the joy of the Lord.

(1) We miss the joy and satisfaction of being at peace with God.

(2) We aren’t even pleasant to be around.

(3) Jesus said ) ""By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35 NKJV)

C. Joy can be in the face of bitter circumstances.

1. Jesus spoke of Joy as He faced the cross.

2. Paul said rejoice while he was in chains.

Conclusion

I. Happiness might just happen to you.

II. It is the Lord who can give us joy now and in the world to come.

III. May the Joy of the Lord be our strength.

IV. Let me share a poem I just received from Becky:

I'LL FIX MY THOUGHTS ON THINGS ABOVE

Becky Rene

Inspired by Philippians 4:8; Matthew 6:19-21; Ephesians 5:2

My thoughts are fixed on lovely things

I know the peace of mind it brings

How can I all life’s trials endure?

Through lovely thoughts, the only cure

I’ll fix my thoughts on things above

And walk with Jesus in His love

My treasures are laid up above

My heart’s there too with all I love

Now you can store up wealth untold

But you can’t save your soul with gold

I’ll fix my thoughts on things above

And walk with Jesus in His love

So I’ll keep pressing my way home

And trust my soul to God alone

Until I reach my home above

I’ll walk with Jesus in His love

I’ll fix my thoughts on things above

And walk with Jesus in His love

V. Are you walking with Jesus in His love? Have you obeyed Him?

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