PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
We come to You today in need of Your guidance and grace.
We are so often tempted to succumb to the cynicism surrounding us,
but we know You have called us to a higher standard.
Help us to embody joy in our lives, even when it seems complicated.
Remind us that You are the source of all joy
and that You have given us the ability to share it with others.
Give us the courage to be a light in the darkness,
to bring hope and joy to those around us.
Help us to be a living example of Your love and grace,
so that we can be a blessing to those who need it.
We thank You for the gift of joy
and hope that comes from knowing You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
SERMON
Galatians 5:22-25 NRSV
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
“Scratch any cynic, and you will find a disappointed idealist.” —George Carlin
QUESTION: What if the root of our cynicism isn’t nestled in our unfulfilled expectations but rather deeply entrenched in our overall perspective of life?
Ecclesiastes 1:1-4 NRSV
The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher,
vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
What do people gain from all the toil
at which they toil under the sun?
A generation goes, and a generation comes,
but the earth remains forever.
Habel: breath, vapor; vanity
Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 NRSV - Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. Even those who live many years should rejoice in them all, yet let them remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 NRSV- This is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toil under the sun the few days of the life God gives us, for this is our lot. Likewise, all to whom God gives wealth and possessions and whom he enables to enjoy them, accept their lot, and find enjoyment in their toil—this is the gift of God. For they will scarcely brood over the days of their lives because God keeps them occupied with the joy of their hearts.
Ecclesiastes 8:14-15 NRSV - There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people who are treated according to the conduct of the wicked and wicked people who are treated according to the conduct of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. So I commend enjoyment, for there is nothing better for people under the sun than to eat and drink and enjoy themselves, for this will go with them in their toil through the days of life that God gives them under the sun.
POINT: We’re on a relentless quest for enduring
POINT: Unlike happiness or sadness, joy is not bound to
POINT: We experience joy when we actively ground ourselves in the right things in the right ways.
John 15:8-11 NRSV - My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
We cultivate joy when we:
1. reframe our situation in a more positive light
2. express gratitude,
3. and choose to be kind and generous.