A Better Way - Surprised by Joy (Fruit Of The Spirit - Joy)

1.Fruit Is Always Visible
The proof is in the fruit, right? The fruit is evidence of growth. If there ain’t fruit ever being produced than we lack evidence
2.Fruit Never Exists For Itself 

3.Fruit Always Bears The Identity Of The Tree That Its Connected To 

4.Fruit Must Be Sourced To Grow 



But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, 
Galatians 5:22

“SURPRISED BY JOY”.


Worldly love says, “love is about feelings and love is about getting.”

But Godly love says, “Love is about choices and love is about giving.”

Joy: a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

Joy: a feeling a great pleasure and happiness produced by circumstances that best benefit me. 

“JOY is a feeling in the soul produced by the Holy Spirit as He causes us to see the beauty of Christ in His word and in His work.” - John Piper

Joy is a happy feeling produced by the Holy Spirit that helps us to see Jesus in any and all circumstances or situations.

Joy is an emotion.

JOY FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT UNREALISTIC OPTIMISM.

Joy is an emotion. That’s the first thing that sticks out to me about biblical joy; it’s a feeling. The second thing that sticks out to me compared to worldly joy is that it comes from the Holy Spirit and it helps me to see Jesus in any and all circumstances. 

Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Hebrews 12:2b


“If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire: if you want to be wet you must get into the water. If you want joy, power, peace, eternal life, you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them. They are not a sort of prize which God could, if He chose, just hand out to anyone.”
C.S. Lewis

If I want JOY… I must get close to A JOYFUL GOD. 


GOD IS NOT JUST OUR SOURCE FOR JOY, HE IS OUR EXAMPLE OF JOY. 

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
1 Timothy 1:8-11


The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 And Nehemiah[b] continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
Nehemiah 8:7-10

1.JOY DISARMS FEAR 
2.JOY DELIVERS HOPE 
3.JOY DRIVES PURPOSE