The Fruit of the Spirit Part 2 – JOY

Are you happy? Where do you find the most happiness and joy and with whom?

What is the joy required?
The joy required of us is seldom found as a result of an agreeable set of circumstances but an inward joy springing up within us, irrespective of what our difficulties may be. It is a gift of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and is one of the principal consequences of the experience of salvation.

What is joy?

Gladness or delight – Matthew 5:12

Where does it come from?

It is all to do with heart – Psalm 16:8, 33:21, Acts 2:26, 46 and 14:17, Soul or Spirit – Luke 1:47 or the very innermost being (John 7:38)

It is a gift – Romans 15:13

Real Christian joy has God as its object. Psalm 9:2, 33:21, 149:1, God becomes our exceeding joy (Psalm 43:4)

Read Luke 1:46-53 and note how joy is focused on His power; His holiness and His mercy

Christian joy is connected to salvation – Isaiah 44:23 and Revelation 19:7

What are the things in your life that destroys your happiness?
True Christian Joy cannot be lost – John 16:22. It is everlasting – Isaiah 35:10; 51:11

How does joy express itself?

• Acts 2:46 – everyday things
• Ps 27:6 – Praise and thanks giving
• Ps 5:11 - Singing
• Neh 8:10 – Confidence in God
• John 16:24 – Confident prayer
• Rom 12:15 – Christian Fellowship
• 2 Cor 8:2 – Generous giving

What are the obstacles and impediments to Christian joy?

• Failure to progress in the faith – Phil 1:25
• Neglect of practical righteousness Rom 14:17
• Breakdown in loving one another – John 15:10-12
• Unbelief – Phil 1:25
• Disobedience – John 15:10-11
• The neglect of prayer – John 16:24
• Broken fellowship with God and His people – 1 John 1:1-7
• Unconfessed Sin – Psalm 51:3, 8, 9, 12
• All that grieves the Holy Spirit – Eph 4:30

Fruit of the Spirit Part 1 - Love

John 13:34 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Reading Galatians 5:16-26
Other useful readings - Romans 13, 1 John 4 and 1 Corinthians 13

What is LOVE?

What is the love required of us?
The love required of us is totally unselfish love, a matter of will and action, expressed in service of unworthy as much as of the worthy, based upon the pattern of the love set forth in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:7
It is commanded
God is the source
Love is a characteristic of the believer – see 1 John 3:14

1 John 4:8/16
Not only does God love but He is Love

God demonstrated this love to us when He sent His only son to die for us. See Romans 8:32

He has lavished us with His great love in calling us His Children – 1 John 3:1

What is adoption? Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God (Shorter Catechism)

God pours out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit – Romans 5:5

We only Love God after he has loved us. It is our response. 1 John 4:19

Love has a priority over spiritual gifts – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Love also takes 1st place in the “Fruit of the Spirit” - Galatians 5:22

What are the foremost characteristics and activities of love?

Patience – 1 Corinthians 13:4
Kindness – Love strives to be honest (Mark 10:21), see also Ephesians 4:15 in regards to how we speak to one another.
Joy – 1 Corinthians 13:6
Hope – 1 Corinthians 13:7
Endurance – 1 Corinthians 13:7 (see also John 13:1)
Service – Love is active in good works (Hebrews 10:24). see also Galatians 5:13 and Romans 13:10
Generosity – 2 Corinthians 8:8-12, 24, 1 John 3:17
Constructiveness – Love builds/edifies (1 Corinthians 8:1) it also unites believers (Colossians 2:2)
Reflective of God's love: love that shows love even to your enemies. Matthew 5:44-45, Luke 6:27, 35 and John 13:34

What are the opposites of love? Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 and 1 John 3:11-18

Jealousy
Boastfulness
Arrogance
Rudeness
Selfishness
Irritability
Resentment
Maliciousness
Hatred