March 17, 2024 // Pastor Jason King
Joy is Possible
Revelation 1:18 (NKJV)
“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”
Romans 14:17 (NLT)
“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Lamentations 5:15 (ESV)
“The joy of our hearts has ceased;”
How To Receive the Fullness of Christ’s Joy Again.
1. Acknowledge my joy is missing or not what it used to be.
Psalms 51:12 (ESV)
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation,”
2. Examine the cause of my lack of joy.
-Imbalanced schedule
-Unused talent or gifting
-Unresolved conflict
Romans 12:18 (NIV)
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
“Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.”
Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)
“if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
-Undernourished spirit
John 15:5 (ESV)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
"they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”
-Unrepented sin
Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)
“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”
3. Choose obedience to God’s Word.
James 4:17 (NLT)
“it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”
John 15:10-11 (NIV)
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
4. Remember the joy you seek is only possible through Christ.
Romans 6:4 (NIV)
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Psalms 126:3 (NIV)
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”