Today’s Scriptures
James 1:2-4; Hebrews 12:1-2
JOY is a
God calls us to
1. JOY IS
John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
2. JOY IS
*James 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, *
God never commands us to do anything that He does not empower us to fulfill.
3. JOY IS FOCUSED ON THE
James 1: 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Smooth seas never made a great sailor and a trouble-free life never makes a strong Christian.
Joy is the God-given, Jesus commanded, Holy Spirit grown smiling hope of the soul that helps us optimistically persevere through a storm because we know the sun will shine on the other side.
4. JOY IS MAINTAINED BY
Our JOY will fluctuate at the same rate of our TRUST.
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Isaiah 26:3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.
Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord.
Joy is not the power of
5. JOY IS SEEN IN JESUS
Luke 22:42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus endured short-term
2. Discuss in a Life Group
DISCUSS:
Discuss what JOY is and what it is not.
Share times where your joy has been tested and how you held up through it.
Why is focus on the endgame so important? Explain how Jesus exhibited this.
Explain how JOY is based on Trust and how Trust is based on Belief.
3. Pray Together
Pray for each other and record any prayer requests here.