Juicy Fruit - Living Joyfully
Sunday Morning Message by our Pastor Stewart Young. Sermon Series is titled Juicy Fruit and covers the fruits of The Spirit
Video Link: https://www.facebook.com/stewart.young.980/videos/3093727030734036/
Living Joyfully
Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 5:1-5
I. OUR DEFINITION OF JOY.
II. LET JOY BE OUR DEFAULT. Romans 5:1-5
1. Selfishness.
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” James 3:16
2. Bitterness.
“Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.” Hebrew 12:15
3. Fear.
1. Focus results from knowing truth (2).
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
2. Focus results from peace with God. (1).
3. Focus results from acceptance (5).
4. Focus result from a true perspective (3-5).
III. DETERMINE TO LIVE JOYFULLY.
A. It’s about giving not getting.
Acts 20:35, “There is more happiness in giving than receiving.”
B. It’s about healing not hurting.
Col 3:13, “Be gentle and ready to forgive.”
C. Focus on God’s power not problems
Psalm 62:8, “Trust God at all times; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
D. It’s about God’s presence not the pain. He is our healer and even in the midst of our pain there is joy in Him.
Isa 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not pass over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
E. It’s about God purpose not the phase. Often when we are going through a valley, valley is all we can see. It is time to remove our eyes from what seems an endless onslaught of pain and see it for what it is-a phase. This is a time you are going through. God has a purpose for your life and if you are here, He is not finished with you. Return your focus to Him and experience His joy.