CULTIVATING JOY AMID MANUFACTURED DESIRE John 15:11, 16:21-22 (Galatians 5:22-3)

(Again thanks to Philip D. Kennison, Life on the Vine – Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in Christian Community)

LIFE ON THE VINE – JOY JOHN 15:11, 16:21-22 Childbirth wipes away labor pain, replaces it with joy. What makes us happy? Often used interchangeably, happy not same as joy. “Joy” used for state of experiencing joy. “Joy” used for source of our joy. “Joy” used for our expressions of joy. Bible also has these various uses: Wise men were ‘overjoyed’ to find Bethlehem Matt 2:10

John’s ‘joy… complete’ hearing Jesus voice John 3:29

Philippians ‘epistle of joy’ uses joy/rejoice 20 times! “employ the word to communicate our intense satisfaction, our

sense of well-being and our underlying contentment at having experienced something for which we have earnestly longed, something that we have deeply desired.” Philip Kennison P.58.

LIFE ON THE VINE – JOY JOHN 15:11, 16:21-22 Distinguish between Joy and Pleasure. Pleasure usually for me/self, Joy ‘other-directed’. Greek for Grace and Joy of same root, both activity

of taking delight in something/one beyond our self. God frees us from fears to enter a life of love and

joy. God rejoices when we’re restored to him! True worship of God is a joy. (Does it show?) True joy comes from love for and of God! What can stop joy in our lives? - self serving pleasure seeking. - wrong desires, advertising leads us to them. - thinking new is always better than old. - craving more/better/bigger/etc. can kill joy!

LIFE ON THE VINE – JOY JOHN 15:11, 16:21-22

Do we lack joy in the Lord? “Pursuit of Happiness” originally meant ‘Piety’,

freedom to worship and serve God is true happiness.

If we have joy we could let it show occasionally. “One of the most dangerous things we can do is

get into the game of comparison.” Rich DeVos Comparisons in Chandler, MN after tornado: - joy for those who didn’t lose house, etc. PTL! - 6 months later, they didn’t get new house.

Shoot! - 6 more months later, newer nicer homes.

Shoot!! - Many comparisons caused much resentment

& hurt! You don’t find joy by comparing and envying

each other, but by looking to the Lord and his Grace.

LIFE ON THE VINE – JOY JOHN 15:11, 16:21-22

Do you have Jesus Joy in you? Are you thankful for gifts God gave YOU,

large or small? David Feddes once said, “Some religious

people are so sour you would think they are baptized in lemon juice. They squeak when they walk and talk. Did God make us to be grumpy?”

NO! God gave us Joy, “Joy to the World! The Lord is Come!”

Joy is a great gift of God, a Fruit of the Spirit! Welcome and receive it gratefully – and let it

show!