Choosing Joy: A Deep-Rooted Faith Experience
Summary
Joy is a profound and intrinsic state of being that transcends the fleeting nature of happiness. While happiness is often contingent upon external circumstances and achievements, joy is a resilient and steadfast presence within us, rooted in our relationship with God. This joy is a choice we make, often by faith, even when our surroundings do not evoke feelings of joy. It is a fruit of the Spirit, a testament to our connection with God, and a mark of true discipleship.
The Advent season, with its wreath and candles, symbolizes the anticipation and preparation for the coming of the Messiah. The circular wreath represents God's eternal love and mercy, while the evergreen branches remind us of His eternal nature. The candles, each with its own significance, guide us through hope, peace, and joy, culminating in the celebration of Christ's birth. The Shepherd's Candle, in particular, embodies the joy experienced by the shepherds at the announcement of Jesus' birth, a joy that is not dependent on circumstances but is a choice and a strength.
Joy is infectious and transformative. It is not only a personal experience but also a communal one, as it spreads to those around us when we choose to serve others. This joy is a strength that enables us to persevere through trials and challenges, as it is rooted in the assurance of our salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The kingdom of God is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy, and as believers, we carry this kingdom within us, manifesting it through our joyful living.
Inexpressible joy, as described by Peter, is a profound and glorious experience that transcends words. It is a joy that fills us with awe and wonder, a joy that is both unspeakable and full of glory. This joy is not a mere emotion but a deep-seated assurance of our faith and salvation. It is a joy that we can choose to embrace, even in the midst of trials, as it is a reflection of our trust in God and His promises.
Key Takeaways:
- Joy is a choice, not a reaction to circumstances. Unlike happiness, which is temporary and dependent on external factors, joy is a steadfast state of being that comes from within, rooted in our relationship with God. It is a fruit of the Spirit, a testament to our faith, and a choice we make, often by faith, even when our surroundings do not evoke feelings of joy. [11:59]
- The Advent wreath and its candles symbolize the anticipation and preparation for the coming of the Messiah. The circular wreath represents God's eternal love and mercy, while the evergreen branches remind us of His eternal nature. The candles guide us through hope, peace, and joy, culminating in the celebration of Christ's birth. [01:51]
- Joy is infectious and transformative. When we choose to serve others, our joy becomes contagious, spreading to those around us. This joy is a strength that enables us to persevere through trials and challenges, as it is rooted in the assurance of our salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit. [12:31]
- Inexpressible joy, as described by Peter, is a profound and glorious experience that transcends words. It is a joy that fills us with awe and wonder, a joy that is both unspeakable and full of glory. This joy is not a mere emotion but a deep-seated assurance of our faith and salvation. [21:57]
- The kingdom of God is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy. As believers, we carry this kingdom within us, manifesting it through our joyful living. Joy is a reflection of our trust in God and His promises, and it is a choice we can make, even in the midst of trials. [15:21]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:38] - Joy in Childhood Memories
- [01:51] - Advent Wreath Symbolism
- [03:25] - The Crown of Thorns and Holly
- [04:24] - Advent Candles and Their Meanings
- [05:32] - The Shepherd's Candle
- [07:05] - The Joy of the Shepherds
- [08:16] - Happiness vs. Joy
- [10:05] - The Nature of Joy
- [11:59] - Choosing Joy by Faith
- [12:31] - Joy as a Fruit of the Spirit
- [14:16] - Joy as Strength
- [15:21] - The Kingdom of God and Joy
- [16:31] - Generosity and Overflowing Joy
- [19:29] - Inexpressible Joy in Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Joy
Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 5:22 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness."
2. Nehemiah 8:10 - "For the joy of the Lord is your strength."
3. 1 Peter 1:8-9 - "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
Observation Questions:
1. What is the difference between happiness and joy as described in the sermon? [08:16]
2. How does the Advent wreath symbolize the anticipation and preparation for the coming of the Messiah? [01:51]
3. What role does the Shepherd's Candle play in the Advent season, and what does it represent? [07:05]
4. According to the sermon, how is joy described as a fruit of the Spirit? [14:16]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of joy as a choice, rather than a reaction to circumstances, challenge common perceptions of happiness? [11:59]
2. In what ways does the Advent season help believers prepare their hearts for the coming of the Messiah, and how does this relate to experiencing joy? [05:32]
3. How can the joy of the Lord be a source of strength during difficult times, according to Nehemiah 8:10? [14:16]
4. What does it mean to experience "inexpressible and glorious joy" as described in 1 Peter 1:8-9, and how can this be a reality in a believer's life? [21:57]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you chose joy despite challenging circumstances. What helped you make that choice? [11:59]
2. How can you incorporate the symbolism of the Advent wreath into your personal or family traditions to enhance your anticipation of Christ's coming? [01:51]
3. Identify a way you can serve others this week to spread joy in your community. How might this act of service impact both you and those you serve? [12:31]
4. Consider a trial you are currently facing. How can you draw strength from the joy of the Lord to persevere through it? [14:16]
5. What practical steps can you take to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, particularly joy, in your daily life? [14:16]
6. Think of a time when you experienced inexpressible joy in your faith journey. What contributed to that experience, and how can you seek similar moments in the future? [21:57]
7. How can you remind yourself to choose joy daily, especially when external circumstances are not favorable? What specific practices or habits can support this choice? [11:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy as a Deliberate Choice
Joy is not merely a reaction to our circumstances but a deliberate choice rooted in our relationship with God. Unlike happiness, which is fleeting and dependent on external factors, joy is a steadfast state of being that comes from within. It is a fruit of the Spirit, a testament to our faith, and a choice we make, often by faith, even when our surroundings do not evoke feelings of joy. This joy is a profound and intrinsic state of being that transcends the fleeting nature of happiness. It is a resilient and steadfast presence within us, rooted in our relationship with God. [11:59]
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: What is one situation in your life where you can choose joy today, despite the circumstances? How can you actively make that choice?
Day 2: Advent as a Symbol of Eternal Hope
The Advent wreath and its candles symbolize the anticipation and preparation for the coming of the Messiah. The circular wreath represents God's eternal love and mercy, while the evergreen branches remind us of His eternal nature. The candles guide us through hope, peace, and joy, culminating in the celebration of Christ's birth. This season invites us to reflect on the eternal hope we have in Christ, a hope that is not bound by time or circumstance but is anchored in the promise of His coming. [01:51]
"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate the symbolism of the Advent wreath into your daily life to remind you of God's eternal love and mercy?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of Joy
Joy is infectious and transformative. When we choose to serve others, our joy becomes contagious, spreading to those around us. This joy is a strength that enables us to persevere through trials and challenges, as it is rooted in the assurance of our salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The kingdom of God is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy, and as believers, we carry this kingdom within us, manifesting it through our joyful living. [12:31]
"And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 13:52, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can serve someone today. How can you let your joy in Christ be evident in that act of service?
Day 4: Inexpressible Joy in Christ
Inexpressible joy, as described by Peter, is a profound and glorious experience that transcends words. It is a joy that fills us with awe and wonder, a joy that is both unspeakable and full of glory. This joy is not a mere emotion but a deep-seated assurance of our faith and salvation. It is a joy that we can choose to embrace, even in the midst of trials, as it is a reflection of our trust in God and His promises. [21:57]
"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a moment when you experienced inexpressible joy in your faith. How can you cultivate that same joy in your current circumstances?
Day 5: Manifesting the Kingdom of God through Joy
The kingdom of God is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy. As believers, we carry this kingdom within us, manifesting it through our joyful living. Joy is a reflection of our trust in God and His promises, and it is a choice we can make, even in the midst of trials. This joy is a strength that enables us to persevere through trials and challenges, as it is rooted in the assurance of our salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit. [15:21]
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you manifest the kingdom of God through joy in your daily interactions and decisions? How can this impact those around you?
Quotes
It points to the never -ending mercy and love that God has for each one of us. It never ends. It has no starting point, no ending point. Why? Because God is love. He is merciful. And His love and His mercy and His goodness, the Bible says that it will follow us all the days of our life. [00:02:01] (24 seconds)
Joy is something that comes from the inside of us, resilient. And true joy is the mark of every disciple of Jesus Christ. That regardless of the circumstances they're going through, regardless of the situation at hand, regardless of their lot in life, regardless of what God's done for them or not done for them, there is a joy that comes from within. [00:11:35] (24 seconds)
Philemon 1, verse 7, here's what Philemon has to say. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement because you, brother, you have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people. Joy is infectious. Infectious, when you lay down your life to minister to others, there's a joy that comes up, not just in you, but it infects those around you. [00:12:31] (29 seconds)
When you decide that you want to serve others, not just serve yourself, but to serve others, there's something that activates that internal joyfulness about you to the extent that it even becomes infectious, infectious. And that's what the writer here, is saying, he's saying, look, your great joy and encouragement has come to me because you have refreshed the hearts of God's people. During this holiday season, you're going to have many opportunities to serve others. [00:12:59] (39 seconds)
In Romans chapter 14, verse 17, here's what we find out. You find out that the kingdom is not eating and drinking, but it is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. So, the essence of the kingdom of God. is joy. The inhabitants of the kingdom of heaven, they have righteousness in their life. They're right standing with God and right standing with others. They have peace in their life and they have joy. Righteousness, peace, and joy. When you find those things resident, you find the kingdom of heaven. You find the kingdom of heaven. And we can take the kingdom wherever we go when we have joy in our hearts, when we have joy in our lives. [00:15:42] (50 seconds)
In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. It doesn't say that after their extreme circumstances or as a result of their extreme circumstances. It says very clearly that they were in the midst of severe circumstances. A severe trial is the way the NIV puts it. They were in the midst of a severe trial. And in the midst of a severe trial, that joy began to overflow out of their lives. And what did it produce? Generosity. Generosity. Generosity. [00:17:32] (45 seconds)
He's writing this letter to us. He says, he's talking about Jesus here. In verse 8, he says, though you have not seen him, though you have not seen Jesus, and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him, and you're filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. Why? For you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. I love this passage. [00:19:56] (29 seconds)
There is a seeing beyond seeing. I mean, you can see as God reveals himself to you, you can see the living Jesus in your life and in the life of your life. You can see the living Jesus in your life and in the life of your lives and the people around you, in the circumstances and situations that people go through. You can see. [00:20:44] (17 seconds)
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