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.