Post on 22-Mar-2016
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John 15.8-11
Today’s Reading from God’s Word
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
John 15.8-9
10 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.11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15.10-11
J YHow to Cultivate
The Joy of Christ ianity
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5.22-24
Could we have a flawed
understanding of joy?
How to Cultivate Joy
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15.11
Joy cannot be manufactured
.
How to Cultivate Joy
Joy can thrive in suffering and
difficulty.
How to Cultivate Joy
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
John 15.2
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1.2-4
The more we are drawn out of self – toward God – the
more likely we cultivate joy.
How to Cultivate Joy
Society has it
backwards.
How to Cultivate Joy
Many associate joy with
pleasure.
How to Cultivate Joy
Culture equates happiness with
excess.
How to Cultivate Joy
Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Luke 12.15
Joy can be choked out by fear and worry.
How to Cultivate Joy
Two ways we can cultivate
true joy.
How to Cultivate Joy
Joy thrives in worship.
How to Cultivate Joy
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”
Psalm 122.1
Joy is created in contentment.
How to Cultivate Joy
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. Philippians 4.11-12
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4.13
Joy is associated with maturity as a
Christian.
How to Cultivate Joy
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
John 15.8-9
10 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.11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15.10-11
J YHow to Cultivate
The Joy of Christ ianity