Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

INTRODUCTION:

     What does "Fruit of the Spirit mean?"  Do you ever wonder about the "Fruits of the Spirit" and their meaning? There is a lot of wonderful teachings in these various blessings of the Spirit.  When we accept Jesus as our Savior, the "Holy Spirit" begins the work of changing our sin led lives into "God led" lives.  We are transformed by the renewing of our minds.  Salvation is for anyone who shall call upon the name of the Lord Jesus (John 3:16). 

     Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Be born again!"  It doesn't matter what special church you go to or what rituals you perform, Jesus said this and it is from the Holy Bible.  If you are born again, you will see Heaven because you believe.  The Holy Spirit comes to you and starts leading you down the path of righteousness.  The Holy Spirit brings about a change in people with their Ambitions, Attitudes, Actions, Affections and Emotions.  Every area of our lives begin to change when we "sincerely" follow the Lord. 

Let's Pray Considering one of the Fruits of the Spirit, "Joy" as we pray for Godly wisdom and knowledge.  Richly leading of our lives into a deeper spiritual growth.

I.  "GALATIONS 5:22 BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS..."JOY."  GOD DESIRES US TO
     WALK IN JOY NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS!

     A.  God desires us to have JOY in our lives even when circumstances  become like "Job" in 
           the Bible full of Sorrow. 

           1.  Job was a prosperous farmer living in Uz
                a.  He raised camels, sheep and other livestock
                b.  He had many servants in the home as well as herdsmen
                c.  His family consisted of a number of children

           2.  Satan was allowed by God to come in and destroy things around Job as a testing of his
                faithfulness.
                a.  Job lost his possessions that made him rich.
                b.  Job lost his servants because the work was gone.
                c.  Job lost his children 
                     1.  Children were inheritance to the future.
                     2.  Among the Jewish people, children were an asset that made you rich.
                d.  Job lost his health which removed him from his ability to work.

           3.  Job was tested because Satan claimed that he was a rich wealthy man.
                a.  Job was tested and lost material possessions yet he still trusted the Lord.
                b.  Job was tested when his body developed painful boils and sores.
                c.  Job was tested when his wife told him that he would have relief if he cursed God and 
                     died.
                d.  Job was tested when his friends told him to confess his sins when he was innocent.

           4.  Job had a solid foundation of faith to keep the JOY in him.
                a.   Job built his life on trusting the Lord no matter what happened.
                b.   Job knew that he could rebuild his life with the Lord's help.
                c.   Job knew that his real and lasting joy would come from the Lord.
                d.   Job prayed for his friends and the Lord restored his life to full joy and blessings.

      B.  When times are hard we still can have JOY.  Psalms 30:5 For his anger endureth but a 
            moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the 
            morning. 

           1.  Suffering and trials like Paul and Silas. Acts 16:24-25 Who, having received such a 
                 charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.  And at 
                 midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard 
                 them. 
                 a.  They sang praises to the Lord because the were happy inspite of their circumstances.
            b.  They trusted the Lord to take care of them and to help them get through the trials.
                 c.   Because they trusted the Lord the soul of the Jailer and his family were saved.

            2.  Sickness like Job or Paul with the thorn in the flesh didn't stop their JOY (Corinthians II
                 12:9-10 And he said  unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made 
                 perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the
                 power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in 
                 reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I 
                 am weak, then am I strong.) 
                 a.  They knew that God had a plan for their lives.
                 b.  They knew that people who are born again will suffer along with the sinners.
                 c.  They walked confident trusting in the Lord.

II. "GALATIONS 5:22 BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS..."JOY." GOD DESIRES US TO 
      HAVE JOY BUT CAN WE LOOSE IT FROM OUR LIVES?

      A.   Our "JOY" can be lost by our own sinful values and lack of spiritual walk.
             1.  Sin of Selfishness.  Thinking me, me, me and not looking at others through the eyes of
                 Jesus with love and compassion.
             2.  Sinful Spiritual Pride can make us loose our joy.  Instead of helping people with an 
                 attitude of humbleness, one can become conceited and arrogant making the other
                 person feel unimportant and hurt. 
             3.  Sin of Anger and having a fighting spirit can take away joy from one's heart and life.
             4.  Sin of Judging and being critical of others takes away joy and peace of mind.  Fault 
                 finding can create a feeling of dissatisfaction in one's life.  It will destroy joy!

      B.   Our "JOY" can be lost by not making an effort to spiritually grow.
             1.  By not reading and studying the Bible will take our joy away.
             2.  By not taking everything to God in prayer can take our joy away.
            3.  By not looking at others through the loving eyes of Jesus with love and compassion. 
            4.  By not following and trusting the Lord to help get one through life.  In other words 
                 leaning upon one's own power and understanding instead of God's.

III. "GALATIONS 5:22 BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS..."JOY."GOD GAVE US A 
       WONDERFUL REASON TO HAVE JOY IN OUR LIVES NO MATTER WHAT TRIALS.

      A.  The glorious birth of Jesus brought joy to the world.  The Bible even speaks of this joy in:
           Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings 
             of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a
             Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

       B.  The precious life of Jesus brought joy as He healed the sick, and made the spiritually 
             blind to see that they can have Salvation by having faith in Him.

       C.  The blessed sacrifice that Jesus made for us by dying on the cross for our sins.  This 
             brought believers eternal and everlasting  joy to our lives. John 3:16 For God so loved 
             the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not 
             perish, but have everlasting life. 

       D.  The resurrection of Jesus alive again brought us joy.  He proved by that special miracle 
             act He truly is the Son of God.  John 14:19-21 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no 
             more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.  At that day ye shall know that I am
             in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth 
             them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will 
             love him, and will manifest myself to him.

IV. CONCLUSION:

     We can have real joy in knowing that He loves us and is coming back for us.  No matter what problems that we have throughout our day, we can have real joy in the comfort of His love. What is the foundation that are you letting yourself be built up with? Jesus or the trials and problems of this world?  Are you putting your whole body and soul (mind, will and emotions) into serving the Lord?  Is true Spiritual " JOY", a part of your everyday life?  If it is not, it can be. 

     What happens when a forest mighty trees burns down?  It starts the regrowth process doesn't it?  Grief and sadness is only for a season when you put your life into proper perspective.  If we allow it, the seeds of tears can grow into new spiritual growth.  Our tragedies of life can become a learning experience if we patiently wait upon the Lord to help us fly again.  Psalms 126:5-6 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. 

     Think of it this way, "If you start your day praising the Lord and end it praising the Lord than you had a good day.  There may have been problems and heartache.  You may have even cried but if you end the day always remembering to praise the Lord, than you had a good day. 

    "The ability to stand and cope with the problems of life, depends upon the spiritual foundation a person has learned to develop.  Following Jesus' teachings throughout one's lifetime helps builds a solid foundation to have real JOY!"

LET'S PRAY THANKING THE LORD FOR WHAT HE HAS TAUGHT US THIS DAY ABOUT ONE OF THE "FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT,....." JOY."
KJV BIBLE VERSES

IN JESUS' WONDERFUL NAME I PRAY, LORD HELP ME TO HEAR THY  "JOY AND GLADNESS" IN MY HEART!

KJV BIBLE VERSES
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