Fruit of the Spirit: Joyfulness

Remember from last week that the fruit of the Spirit is a unity. The qualities listed in Galatians 5:22-23 are not nine fruits; they are nine facets of one fruit. For example, in the story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet, we saw him showing love to his disciples—but his love also displayed humility, patience, kindness, etc.

The same evening that Jesus washed his disciples' feet, Jesus talked to them about joy. Even while the ordeal of his own suffering grew nearer and nearer, he was focusing on preparing his followers for the ordeal that was approaching for them. He wanted them to know that after the sorrow, joy would come, and the joy would last forever. This week, let's look at the quality of joy, from John 16:16-22

16"A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me." 17So some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and, 'because I am going to the Father'?" 18So they were saying, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We do not know what he is talking about." 19Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me'? 20Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

That last evening with his disciples, after Jesus washed his disciples' feet, he pointed out Judas as the betrayer, he predicted Peter's denial, he comforted the disciples with the reality of heaven, and he spent a good deal of time preparing them for his departure. He warned them that he was going to have to leave them in a little while, but that they would see him again. Jesus told them that they would weep and mourn. Their grief would be overwhelming, like a mother suffering in labor and childbirth, but afterward they would have joy.

What does this tell us about joy?
1. Joy is essential for a follower of Jesus. Jesus told them, " I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice...." The apostle Paul was very direct when he exhorted the Christians to have joy: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God" (1 Thessalonians 5:16); and again, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice" (Philippians 4:4). Why? Because Jesus returned from the grave, and he rescued us from death and hell. Nothing can diminish the joy of this reality!
2. Joy and sorrow coexist in this world. Sin brings sorrow in this life, and we all have many trials. When you become a Christian, the fact is that you become gladder and sadder at the same time. You are glad because of the joy of the gospel, and you are sad because of sin. You mourn over your own sin and the sin that brings so much pain and sorrow to everyone; you also suffer difficult trials for righteousness' sake. But for the believer, there should always be joy in the midst of sorrow.
3. Joy overwhelms sorrow. Joy is like a furnace. When the cold seeps in from outside, the furnace kicks in and the heat overwhelms the coldness. One definition of joy is "the spiritual buoyancy that comes from enjoying the privileges you have in Christ." Joy keeps us from giving in to the sorrows of life. Sadness seeps into our lives regularly, but when you remember the privileges and promises that you have in Christ, the joy overwhelm the sadness.
4. Joy is permanent. Jesus said, "No one will take your joy from you." Joy is permanent because the basis of your joy is eternal. Happiness based on happenings comes and goes. When you focus on happenings you forget your joy. When you focus on Jesus you will be joyful.

How can you cultivate your joy? Jesus is the key! He said, "I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice."
1. You must know Jesus as your personal Savior. you must believe the joyful news of forgiveness and salvation.
2. You must love Jesus. Joy is found in knowing Jesus, not just loving the gifts he gives. In this life, there will be trials as well as blessings, but loving Jesus gives us the ability to consider even the trials a joy for the sake of following Jesus.
3. You must obey Jesus. In John 15:10-11, Jesus said, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

How is your furnace of joy?
1. What tends to dominate you more, joy or sorrow? If sorrow dominates, try to identify the source of your sadness. What are you thinking about that produces sadness? How do you need to change your thinking?
2. How is your lack of joyfulness manifested? Whining and complaining? Depression? Anger and resentment? What else?
3. Assuming that you struggle to be joyful (at least sometimes!) , consider who else is negatively affected by your lack of joyfulness. Your wife? Your children? Your co-workers? Your neighbors?
4. Consider the three ways to cultivate your joy listed above. Which kind of "cultivation" do you need most? What specific, concrete actions can you take to cultivate joy?