Choose Joy Part Two

City Harbor Church – Hampden, Baltimore, MD

Acts 16:18-40 Philippians 1:1-7

What do we learn?

1. Jesus brings joy. (series March 10-31, 2024)

Cultivate joy by receiving God’s gracious freedom from sin.

Joy – the emotion evoked by well-being and contentment, great happiness, cheerful

God has been communicating the importance of joy, throughout Scripture:

· “Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning.” – Psalm 30:5 CSB

· God’s purpose for His covenant people includes His joy and their joy. Isaiah 65:18-19

· God is known for joy and rejoicing. – Zephaniah 3:17

· “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

· “…so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” – Jesus in John 15:11

· “The Kingdom of God includes a life of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 14:17

· “May…God…fill you with all joy,” – Romans 15:13 CSB phrase “sustainably sourced”

· The evidence of the Spirit of God’s presence and activity is, “love, joy, and peace.”” – Galatians 5:22

· A life of faith overflows with unspeakable joy, 1 Peter 1:8.

· In the end, the Lord will reward his servants with a share in his own joy, Matthew 25:21.

“Joy stimulates the growth of brain systems involved in character formation, identity consolidation, and moral behavior.” – Jim Wilder

Helpful books to understand the interaction of human thoughts and emotions:

Where is God when it Hurts? by Philip Yancey
Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey
Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller
How Long O Lord? by D. A. Carson
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Happiness is a Choice by Frank Minirth MD & Paul Meier MD
Understanding and Loving a Person with Depression by Stephen Arterburn M.Ed. & Brenda Hunter PhD
This joy is in the context of personal relationship where we are focused on Jesus, receiving His love, following His instruction, and choosing daily to stay in contact with Him. From this great happiness, in Jesus, we draw strength. This can result in us loving each other with a faithful, patient, and kind love. A benefit of this is looking forward to eternity in Heaven.

Sin – to act contrary to the will and law of God, to miss the goal of God’s image and designed purpose, moral failure, desires and selfish urges to act or our own benefit at the expense of others

Grace – undeserved favorable kindness, gift given with delight,

“God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.” – Romans 5:20 NLT

Saved – to experience divine salvation, rescue from punishment, removing moral guilt, giving new spiritual life

“Saved by his life,” – Romans 5:10 CSB

2. There’s victory in Jesus over temporary limitations, spiritual enemies, and suffering.

Philippians 1:1-7