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Galatians 5:22-23

“I will grow in joy as I allow the Spirit to direct my emotions.”

INTRODUCTION: Our message series this summer is on the fruit of the Spirit and how the fruit of the Spirit is all about growing more like Jesus. The fruit of the Spirit is the character of Jesus that God wants to develop in you.

Last week we looked at the fruit of love. Today we want to look at the fruit of joy. Jesus was full of joy through the Holy Spirit, and we want to learn how we can be full of joy through the Holy Spirit as well. (Read Galatians 5:22-23 and pray.)

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There is such a lack of joy in the world today. Sure, there is plenty of laughter and entertainment, but that all fades away as soon as the movie is over, or you turn off the TV. So many people are unhappy, dissatisfied and unfulfilled. They get angry and upset over so many things. They keep looking for joy in all the wrong places – places like money, power or sex. Well, here’s the deal. Money can’t buy you love, and it can’t buy you joy either!

Now, it makes sense that there would be a lack of joy in the world. But it doesn’t make any sense for the church or for the Christian. As believers in Jesus, we should be filled with joy!

God wants you to be full of joy, and indeed joy is part of the fruit of God’s Spirit in your life. In fact, it is the second part listed. Only love comes before, as we saw that love comes first and contains all the rest of the fruit.

We saw last week that love has to do with your attitude. Joy has to do with your emotions. “I will grow in joy as I allow the Spirit to direct my emotions.” Usually, our emotions are all over the place. We lack joy because we let “things” direct our emotions instead of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can direct our emotions towards a continual joy in the Lord. So, let’s look at the fruit of joy together.

I. Joy and God

First, we want to see what the Bible tells us about joy and God. Remember, the fruit of the Spirit has to do with God developing the character of Jesus in you through the Holy Spirit, so we want to see how each of the fruit relate back to God. And although we may not always think of God as joyful, we really should.

   A. God is the fountain of all joy
      – Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 16:11

God is full of joy, and God is the fountain of all joy. The Bible says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) We read in Psalm 16:11: “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)

There is joy in the presence of God. Just as all love comes from God, so all joy comes from him as well. It is God’s nature to be joyful. He is eternally joyful. He is joyful in himself. He was joyful before he created the world. He was joyful after he created the world. He delights in his creation, and he rejoices in our salvation. God is the fountain of all joy.

   B. God desires to share his joy with you
      – Luke 2:10; John 15:11

Not only that but God desires to share his joy with you. God is not selfish in keeping his joy to himself but shares his joy with us. As the angel told the shepherds when Jesus was born: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10) Later on when Jesus met with his disciples in the upper room, he gave them instructions and then told them: “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)

Joy is meant to be shared. There’s an old proverb: “A sorrow shared is a sorrow halved; joy shared is double joy.” You increase your own joy when you share it with others. Now, God does not increase his own joy when he shares it, because he is already full of joy! But when he shares his joy with us, joy is still increased, for he increases our joy. God desires to share his joy with you.

   C. How Jesus displayed the fruit of joy in his life
      – Luke 10:21, 15:5; John 17:13; Hebrews 12:2

And then, thirdly, the Bible shows us how Jesus displayed the fruit of joy in his life. Luke 10:21 describes Jesus as “full of joy through the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 10:21) Luke 15:5 describes Jesus as the good shepherd who goes after the lost sheep and when he finds it, “he joyfully puts it on his shoulders.” (Luke 15:5) In John 17:13 Jesus prayed concerning his disciples: “I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” (John 17:13) Hebrews 12:2 describes Jesus as he “who for the joy set before him endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus expressed perfect joy throughout his earthly life. He was full of joy through the Holy Spirit. He rejoiced and continues to rejoice every time a person is saved. He prayed that the full measure of his joy would rest upon us. He expressed joy even in going to the cross to suffer and die for our sins. Jesus certainly displayed the fruit of joy in his life.

II. Joy and happiness

So, we have looked at joy and God. Next, we need to see what the Bible says about joy and happiness, because joy and happiness are not the same thing. We sometimes confuse the two as they are similar to each other – they are both positive emotions – but we also need to understand their differences.

   A. Joy is not dependent on circumstances
      – Habakkuk 3:17-18; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Perhaps the biggest difference is that joy is not dependent on circumstances. We are happy because certain things happen to us. In fact, the English words “happy” and “happen” are related to each other. They are both based on the root word “hap” which means “luck or chance.” And so, the word happy literally means how you feel when good things happen to you. You are happy when good things happen to you, and you are sad when bad things happen. You can’t be happy and sad at the same time. But you can be sad and joyful at the same time.

And that’s because joy is not dependent on circumstances. We read in Habakkuk 3: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18) Habakkuk was joyful in God despite all the bad things that happened to him.

We find the same thing when we turn to Paul in the New Testament. Paul’s joy was certainly not dependent on circumstances. He writes in 2 Corinthians 7:4: “I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.” (2 Corinthians 7:4) Paul’s life may have been full of troubles, but his heart was full of joy.

We read in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Notice we are to be joyful always – in all circumstances. In the good times and the bad, we can be joyful and give thanks because joy is not dependent on circumstances.

Joy is not dependent on circumstances, because joy is dependent on the Holy Spirit, and as a believer you always have the Holy Spirit with you. As with all the fruit of the Spirit, the two go together. When you are filled with the Spirit, you will be full of joy. If you are not full of joy, then you are not filled with the Spirit. Joy is different from happiness first of all because joy is not dependent on circumstances.

   B. Joy is a decision you make
      – Psalm 32:11; Philippians 4:4

Notice also that joy is a decision you make. Happiness is something that happens to you, but joy is a decision you make. Psalm 32:11 tells us: “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” (Psalm 32:11) Philippians 4:4 says: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

God tells us to rejoice in him and sing. God commands us to rejoice in him always. No one can tell you to be happy or sad. But joy is a command, which means we can choose to obey or not. Habakkuk chose to rejoice in the Lord despite his circumstances. Joy is a decision you make.

   C. Joy comes from knowing and trusting the Lord
      – Psalm 5:11, 105:3; James 1:2-3

You might wonder, how can you choose to be joyful when things around you are bad? Psalm 5:11 says: “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” (Psalm 5:11) You can choose to be joyful because God is your refuge. Joy comes from knowing and trusting the Lord.

Psalm 105:3 says: “Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” (Psalm 105:3) The Declaration of Independence speaks about the pursuit of happiness. But the Bible speaks about seeking God. Joy comes not from pursuing happiness but from seeking the Lord. Author Malcolm Muggeridge wrote: “I can say that I never knew what joy was until I gave up pursuing happiness, or cared to live until I chose to die. For these two discoveries I am beholden to Jesus.” (Malcolm Muggeridge; Jesus, The Man Who Lives; p. 123)

Joy comes from knowing and trusting the Lord. James 1 tells us: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2-3) When you come to know God’s goodness and trust his sovereignty, then you can rejoice even in the harshest trials of life.

And so, joy and happiness are very different from each other. Happiness is temporary; joy is permanent. Happiness goes up and down with circumstances; joy is constant. Happiness is dependent on things; joy is found in the Lord. Joy is not dependent on circumstances. Joy is a decision you make. Joy comes from knowing and trusting the Lord.

III. Growing in joy

So, we hear all that, and we say, “I want that! I want that joy in my life. Jesus had it. It’s available to me through the Holy Spirit, so how do I get it?” So, finally, we are going to talk about growing in joy. The fruit of the Spirit is all about growing more like Jesus. So, what does the Bible tell us about growing in joy? It actually tells us a lot! Here are seven ways you can grow in joy in your life.

   A. Remember your salvation
      – 1 Peter 1:8-9; Isaiah 12:3

First of all, remember your salvation. 1 Peter 1:8-9 says that as a believer: “You are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9) When you remember your salvation, how can you not be filled with joy? God has given you forgiveness for your sins, his own presence to comfort and guide you, the free gift of eternal life when you die.

Isaiah 12:3 says: “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:3) Return to the well of your salvation often, and you will draw forth buckets of joy. That’s the first way to grow in joy. Remember your salvation.

   B. Be grateful for God’s many blessings
      – Psalm 118:24; Ecclesiastes 3:13

Secondly, be grateful for God’s many blessings. Psalm 118:24 says: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) Notice what the Psalm says. This is the day to rejoice. Too many people are always living for “someday” rather than “this day.” They tell themselves, “Someday things will be better, and then I will rejoice.” But when you are always waiting for “someday” you are missing out on “this day.” “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

Ecclesiastes 3:13 tells us: “That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil – this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:13) Ecclesiastes is sometimes a difficult book for us to understand, but you can sum up the whole theme of the book in two sentences: “When you leave God out of the picture, life is meaningless. But when you receive life as a gift from God, you will be filled with joy and satisfaction.”

Sadly, some of us are better at counting our troubles than counting our blessings. No wonder we are not joyful! That’s the second way to grow in joy. Be grateful for God’s many blessings.

   C. Meditate on God’s word and obey it
      – Psalm 19:8, 119:14, 111

A third say to grow in joy is to meditate on God’s word and obey it. Remember what we said about growing the fruit of the Spirit in our first message? You need to water the garden! And how do you water the garden? You water the garden by reading God’s word.

Psalm 19:8 says: “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.” (Psalm 19:8) Psalm 119:14 says: “I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.” (Psalm 119:14) Psalm 119:111 says: “Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.” (Psalm 119:111)

Don’t just read God’s word and put it away. Read it and meditate on it. Think about it throughout the day and do what it says. You will grow in joy as you meditate on God’s word and obey it.

   D. Worship and praise
      – Psalm 100:1-2, 122:1

Fourthly, spend time worshiping the Lord and praising him. Psalm 100 says: “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalm 100:1-2) Do you want to grow in joy? Make a joyful noise to the Lord! Worship him with gladness! Sing praises to him! Even better, do it in fellowship with God’s people in God’s house. Psalm 122:1 says, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” (Psalm 122:1)

   E. Experience the joy of answered prayer
      – John 16:24

Fifthly, experience the joy of answered prayer. Jesus tells us in John 16:24: “Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:24) You can’t experience the joy of answered prayer if you don’t pray! So, pray often. Pray in Jesus’ name. Bring your requests to God and experience the joy of answered prayer.

   F. Share your faith with others
      – Acts 15:3; 3 John 4

A sixth way you can grow in joy is by sharing your faith with others. We read in Acts 15:3: “They told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news brought great joy to all the brothers.” (Acts 15:3) John writes in 3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4) All of heaven rejoices when a single sinner is saved, and you will know great joy in your life when you share your faith with others.

   G. Ask God to develop the fruit of joy in your life
      – Romans 15:13

And then finally, as with all the fruit of the Spirit, ask God to develop the fruit of joy in your life. Paul writes in Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) Ultimately, joy comes from God and the Holy Spirit, so ask God to develop this fruit in your life.

So, that’s seven ways you can grow in joy as a believer. Any one of them will help you grow in joy. Can you imagine if you did all seven?

CONCLUSION: Growing more like Jesus means growing in joy. Jesus was the most joyful person the world has ever known. And as followers of Jesus, we should be joyful people. It is part of our witness to the world around us. People should see our joy in the Lord and want what we have.

It all comes down to our emotions, doesn’t it? When your emotions are all over the place, it is hard to be joyful. But when your focus is on the Lord, you can know the deepest joy even in the midst of the deepest sorrow. “I will grow in joy as I allow the Spirit to direct my emotions.”

Joy is a wonderful thing. Joy draws from love and leads to peace. Joy brings glory to God. Joy ministers to the people around you. Joy will bring you through the hard times.

My prayer for you is that you will submit your emotions to God through the Holy Spirit in order that you may know the fruit of his joy in your life. I pray you will learn to seek the Lord instead of pursuing happiness. I pray that you will find your joy in Jesus as you grow more and more like him through the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

© Ray Fowler

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Click here for more messages from the Fruit of the Spirit sermon series.
Click here for more messages from the book of Galatians.
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