Advent 4, 2016

This is a lesson I did last week about Joy at Advent.  I am working on Peace for tomorrow and Love for next week. 

Twelve things about joy I learned this week

A lot of ink has been spilled on the difference between happiness and joy.  The best difference I have come across was this week in the lesson.  Joy has depth.  It is happiness with deeper roots.

1.              Where does joy come from?  Faith

1 Peter 1:8 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.  What is the opposite of joy?  Fear?  The Shepherds were having great fear, as they should have, because they didn’t know what was going on, but the Angel told them to have great joy. 

Luke 2:10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

BUT:  Matthew 28:8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

The opposite of joy is sorrow from not understanding and believing in what God is doing.  

3.  Joy is a choice and action as seen in the word  Rejoice

1 Peter 4:13  but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

4.  Finding and expressing Joy is a commandment

Psalm 98:4  Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.

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

5.  Joy is a fruit of the spirit  Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

6.  Joy does not exist on its own.  Romans14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

7.  Other people’s spiritual growth and relationship can give us joy. 

1 Thessalonians 2:20  For you are our glory and joy.

2 Corinthians 1:24  Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.

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

2 Timothy 1:4  greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy,

8.  There is joy in heaven based on what happens on earth.  Heaven and the new heaven and earth are  places of joy.

Luke 15:7  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.

Matthew 25:21  His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Jude 1:24  Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

9.  Nobody can steal our joy (but ourselves)

John 16:22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

Isaiah 61:3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

10.  Joy comes from sorrow and bad happenings as well as good happenings.

Psalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.

John 16:20  Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.

James 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

Hebrews 12:2  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.

11.  Righteousness to others brings joy.

Proverbs 21:15  It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

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

12.  Advent is about joy.

Matthew 2:10  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

Luke 1:14  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

Luke 2:10  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.