JOY: REFLECTION OF TRUE GODLINESS – SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY  –  28TH MAY, 2017

Theme:  Joy: Reflection of true godliness.

Readings: 2 Samuel 6:12-23, Philippians 4:4-9, Luke 15:12-32.

Aim:    To show that even though anyone can be happy, only the godly can truly be joyful in all situations and circumstances.

Introduction.

Many people have erroneously used joy and happiness interchangeably to describe a temporary state of being. Even in English Language, Joy has many synonyms, such as happiness, pleasure, gladness and delight. Webster’s New World Dictionary says joy is synonymous with “happy,” “glad,” and “cheerful.” It refers to it as “a very glad feeling; happiness; great pleasure; delight.” These definitions only bother on the expression of the emotion, they fail to address the source(s) of joy, the circumstances in which it is expressed or its longevity. Our theme for the year, “Fruit of the Holy Spirit” is a biblical term that sums up the nine visible attributes of a true Christian life. The one ninefold “fruit” that characterizes all who truly walk in the Holy Spirit.

Joy as a topic is not what we can cover in few minutes if we are to do proper justice to it because there are lots of things to say about it.  Certain trends now exist in our world about finding joy. Many Books have been written about these varieties of activities. In fact, consciously or unconsciously, we refer to some occasions as “joyous” occasions. Weddings and births, house warming etc fall into this category. The word “joy” appeared many times in the Scriptures. In Greek Language, it is called Chara.  Chara is closely related to charis, which means “grace” or “a gift.” Chara is the normal response to charis – we have joy because of God’s grace. Quotations such as, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Ps. 30:5b) and “Shout for joy to God, all the earth” (Ps. 66:1) and “In Your presence, is fullness of Joy” are found in the book of Psalms. I came across a very beautiful definition of joy by Kay Warren. She said “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of our lives, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.” A closer look at this definition shows that there is nothing in it about happy feelings – which is fleeting and temporary. However, there is the clarity that Joy is about God. Simply put, anyone can be happy, but only the godly can be joyful at all times. Therefore, I may not be wrong to declare that JOY IS A CALLING.

All our readings today give us revelations about Joy. First, the Joy of restoration as in the case of the people on procession and of King David. David was able to bring back the Ark, which represents the presence of a God. He rejoiced without considering whose ox is gored. The wife treated him with disdain having noticed that the maids watched the King danced. In other words, Joy made king David to break protocols. Secondly, Paul wrote the Philippians to always be full of Joy even though his case could have made them react otherwise. He was in prison and didn’t know what would become of him. And finally, Why would a Father rejoice because the boy who squandered his properties returned? In fact, he hurriedly went to meet the boy having sighted him from a distance, hugged and kissed him. The only explanation for this kind of action is Joy. There’s also the indifferent attitude of the elder brother. He became worried about the attitude of his father and the entire event. I have always been a good boy of the house. Why didn’t you celebrate me? He said.

Some Robbers of Joy

Robber 1: Worry. Worry steals our joy by diverting our attention away from the Lord, causing us to doubt God’s goodness and faithfulness. The elder brother of the prodigal son. Worry causes us to squander the blessings of today by keeping us focused on the possible problems of tomorrow. Paul had the option to worry about his situation, instead he charged the people to Rejoice 24/7. Worry and belief are rivals in our heart, warring against each other for supremacy; please note that when worry wins, belief loses. However when we release our burdens to God in prayers, we obtain the perfect peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

Robber 2: People. – Some people are out there with just one assignment, to steal other people’s Joy. God wants us to better understand how to deal with people and relate with them so that they will not be a partner with the devil and become a vessel that will steal our joy. Much of the frustrations and irritations that we experience with people stem from differences in personality, dispositions and traditions. King David did not succumb to the wish of his wife regarding his Joy. It was probably the tradition of her Father Saul not to dance in such manner in the public.

Robber 3.       Disappointments. Disappointments often steal our joy because they shift our focus from the Lord to ourselves. During these difficult times, we tend to forget our Lord’s great love for us and listen to Satan’s deceitful whispers.

Robber 4 Sin. Cast me not away from thy presence oh Lord. Take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy Salvation and renew right spirit within me. The guilt of sin is a major reason why many people lack joy. Awareness of such guilt causes stress, unhappiness, and worry. There are people already forgiven by God that are yet to forgive themselves. “And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced  him, and kissed him.” There is Joy in heaven when a sinner repents. Any kind of sin whatsoever banishes us from God’s presence. The sin of lack of forgiveness in particular has robbed many Christians of their Joy. We will never experience true abundant joy if we have seeds of bitterness, lack of forgiveness, or resentment in our hearts. But with God living in us, we have the power to forgive others just as Christ forgave us.

Robber 5: TRIALS. The road to glory is filled with hardship and suffering, yet God’s joy for us is deeper than any situation we face. Our suffering becomes sweet as we realize that trials are special times with our Lord, treasured moments of growth. In James 1:2-4, it is written “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” At the center of all these robbers is the devil. He speaks to use situations to manipulate believers into loosing their Joy.

Questions for Discussion.

1. Despite various teachings and examples on the subject of Joy, Are Christians immune to sadness and depression? How can we activate the attitude of rejoicing and being joyful when going through disappointments, trials and loss?
2. Reflecting on the greatness of God enables us to overlook hurts and disappointments of this life. How can focusing on the Lord keep us from becoming discouraged and disillusioned?

Conclusion

Knowing God is knowing Joy. Whoever does not have a relationship with the Savior,  can never truly have the joy that is from the Lord. The moment we are called out of darkness into the marvelous light, we are called into 24/7 experience of abundant and overflowing joy no matter the circumstances or hardships in our lives. This joy is there in the midst of “manifold temptations! (Jas. 1:2). It is there, with deepness, even in the midst of persecution of all kinds (Matt. 5:10-12). This joy comes from living righteously and living in peace with our fellow-man (Rom. 14:16-19). It should be obvious that the “joyful” life can be lived in the midst of any kind of circumstances. The devout child of God finds joy in truth, righteousness, godliness, and faithfulness to God (1 Cor. 13:6; Rom. 12:9). And because the above is true, no man with all of his vile ways can take away our joy (John 16:22).

Memory Verse: Hebrews 12:2

“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.”