“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

1 Corinthians 13:2-3

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10

The Strength of Joy

• Joy is more than an emotion.

• Joy is a sign of spiritual health.

Nehemiah 8:5-9

“Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 7 The Levites-Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah —

Nehemiah 8:5-9

instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read. 9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, ‘This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.”

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” Psalm 51:3-4

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” Psalm 51:12

The Strength of Joy

• Joy is more than an emotion.

• Joy is a sign of spiritual health.

• Joy is a powerful witness.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Matthew 13:44.

The Fruit of Joy

• Joy is a by-product.

• Joy is a gift and a choice.

Psalm 4:6-7 “Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. 7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.”

The Fruit of Joy

• Joy is a by-product.

• Joy is a gift and a choice.

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.”

Psalm 100:1

The Fruit of Joy

• Joy is a by-product.

• Joy is a gift and a choice.

“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.”

Ecclesiastes 8:15

The Fruit of Joy

• Joy is a by-product.

• Joy is a gift and a choice.

• We enjoy only a foretaste in this life.

Being Joyful

• Being in God’s will.

• Knowing the truth.

Psalm 126:1-3

“When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." 3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

Being Joyful

• Being in God’s will.

• Knowing the truth.

• Doing what is right.

John 15:8-12

“This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Galatians 5:19-21

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Being Joyful

• Being in God’s will.

• Knowing the truth.

• Doing what is right.

• Clinging to Jesus.

Are you connected to the source of joy?

Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”