
“specio”= look at
Ex-spect = “look” + “out”
Per-spect = “look” + “through”
1. What is the difference between joy and happiness?
a. Happiness is based on happenings
1 John 2:15–17 (NLT): Do not love this world nor the things it offers you… 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure… 17 this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave…
b. Joy is based on promises
Romans 12:12a (NLT): Rejoice in our confident hope.
Romans 15:13a (NLT): I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy…
2. What is perspective?
a. A change of position
b. A change of posture
Colossians 1:21–22 (NLT): …you who were once far away from God… 22 he has brought you into his own presence…
Colossians 1:21–22 (NLT): …You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions… 22 you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.
I. Joy requires a
1. Joy is never stalled out
Philippians 1:6 (NLT): And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Genesis 28:15–17 (NLT): “…I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!…17 What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God…”
2. Joy is always worked out
Philippians 1:9–11 (NLT): I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
James 1:2 (NLT): …when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
II. Joy requires a
1. Joy is never taken from us
Philippians 1:12–14 (NLT): And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.
John 16:22 (NLT): So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.
2. Joy is always tested in us
Philippians 1:15–19 (NLT): It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. 19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.
James 1:2–3 (NLT): …when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested…
III. Joy requires an
1. Joy is never conceited
Philippians 1:20–24 (NLT): For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT): for the joy of the Lord is your strength!
2. Joy is always contagious
Philippians 1:25–26 (NLT): Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.
Philemon 7 (NLT): Your love has given me much joy…for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
John 15:11 (NLT): I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
Hebrews 12:2b (NLT): Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross…