Joy - God in Our Midst

Joy - God in Our Midst
12/20/20 - Dave Riddle
Key Passage: Luke 2:10

Joy is Not the Same as Happiness

  • Happiness and unhappiness are circumstantial.

  • Joy is a deep-rooted state of ongoing delight inspired by God himself.

    • 1 Peter 1:8

Joy is Commanded

  • An imperative, an exultation, a command.

    • Philippians 4:4

    • We always have a reason to have joy, even when we’re unhappy or disillusioned.

Joy Takes Some Commitment

  • Colossians 3:2

    • Is your primary focus on the here and now, or on things above?

Joy Can Become An Orientation

  • Galatians 5:22

    • Joy manifests as we walk in the Spirit.

Living Joyfully

  • Remember how you’re loved

    • God loves you with an everlasting love!

  • Remember who you are and whose you are.

    • 1 John 3:1

    • Remember your identity. Nothing can change your identity in Christ

    • 1 Peter 2:9-10

  • Remember what you have

    • 1 Peter 1:3-6

      • New birth ( you are a new creation)

      • Living hope

      • An Inheritance

John 15:11 - I have told you this so that my joy may be in you.

The joy of the Lord is our strength.