2014-12-14
"Joy"
Pat Gatlin

JOY…. Paul speaks about it as being one of the fruits of the Spirit, in our lives.

Gal 5:21-23

Now the very first "fruit" that Paul mentions is love.
Now the next "fruit of the Spirit" that Paul mentions is joy.

Let me suggest to you a definition of JOY - Joy is an evidence of the presence of God in your life.
If God is in your life, if you are filled with His spirit, then this fruit of the Spirit will be obvious in your life.

I. SOME ENEMIES OF JOY
One enemy of joy is unresolved guilt. Psalms 51:12
Another enemy of joy might be a wounded ego.
Another enemy of joy is difficult or unpleasant circumstances.

II. A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF JOY
John 15:8-11
Hebrews 12:2

III. HOW CAN WE EXPERIENCE THAT KIND OF JOY?
John 15:5-6
Jesus is saying that when we become Christians we’re like a branch attached to the vine. Jesus is the vine, & we’re the branches. As long as we’re attached to Him we’ll bear fruit.

You can never have the joy that this passage talks about until you are attached to Him.

There are some basic things that you have to do to keep the Spirit flowing in your life.

*First of all, you need to read the Word
*You also need to attend church

1 Peter 4:12-13

*We need to give ourselves in service for others.

Matt 10:38-39

*Focus on the eternal & not the temporal.

2 Cor 4:16-18
James 4:14