BFBC-Glendive | Sunday
If your faith-mobile gauges of joy and peace are out of
juice your faith-mobile will sputter to a stop”
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in
Me you may have peace. In the world you will have
tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world.
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall
into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your
faith produces patience.
1 Thes 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus for you.
Happy is a feeling, Joy is a decision.
● Joy is one of the 9 fruits of the Spirit...it is a
discipline.
● Joy is not optimism.
● Joy is not walking around smiling all day.
○ Jesus didn’t walk around happy all day long.
○ He was angry in the temple flipping tables,
he was weeping at the tomb of Lazarus, and
His sweat was like drops of blood when
dealing with the anguish and anxiety of
committing to the cross.
Heb 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded
by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let
us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God.
Acts 26:2 Pauls says “I think myself happy”
● Acts 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and
called for the elders of the church. 18 And when
they had come to him, he said to them: “You know,
from the first day that I came to Asia, in what
manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the
Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials
which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;
20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but
proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and
from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and
also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go
bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the
things that will happen to me there, 23 except that
the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that
chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of
these things move me; nor do I count my life dear
to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy,
and the ministry which I received from the Lord
Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Heb 10:32 But recall the former days in which, after you
were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with
sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle
both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while
you became companions of those who were so treated;
34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and
joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing
that you have a better and an enduring possession for
yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away
your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you
have need of endurance, so that after you have done
the will of God, you may receive the promise:
● Joy has heard from heaven, and regardless of the
situation or circumstance chooses to push forward
to complete the assignment.
● Joy keeps its eyes on the prize.
● Joy delivers patience, persistence, & endurance.
