G a l a t i a n s 5 : 2 2 - 2 3 N L T

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

It takes the power of God to

produce the character of God in

our lives.

❖What is joy?

Happiness depends on happenings.

Happiness is based on what is happening to us.

Joy is based on what is happening within us.

❖We don’t find joy because we are

looking in the wrong places

• What is joy?

Where are you looking for joy?

Choosing

your

truth

over

God’s

truth

Strong's Concordance

pharmakeia: the use of medicine, drugs or spells

We don’t need a false reality that is temporarily altered by substances.

We need a reality that has been permanently altered by God through his

love.

A life centered around you will never bring real joy.

R o m a n s 1 4 : 1 7

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace

and joy in the Holy Spirit.

❖ You can have joy even when life hurts

• What is joy?

• We must look in the

right place to find joy

1 P e t e r 2 : 2 0 - 2 3

… Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His

steps:

1 P e t e r 2 : 2 0 - 2 3

"Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He

suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges

righteously;

R o m a n s 8 : 1 6 - 1 7

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

R o m a n s 8 : 1 6 - 1 7

and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be

glorified together.

J o h n 1 6 : 2 1 - 2 4

A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but

as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the

anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

J o h n 1 6 : 2 1 - 2 4

Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take

from you.

H e b r e w s 1 2 : 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.

❖ Joy comes from the Holy Spirit

revealing there is more to life than this

• What is joy?

• We must look in the

right place to find joy

• You can have joy even

when life hurts

P r o v e r b s 1 0 : 2 8

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to

nothing.

1 P e t e r 1 : 8 - 9

whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing,

you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--

the salvation of your souls.

R o m a n s 1 5 : 1 3

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy

Spirit.

Joy comes from hope and hope comes from the Holy Spirit.

R o m a n s 8 : 2 8

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love

God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

J a m e s 1 : 2

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

P s a l m 3 0 : 4 - 5

… Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

❖We must live life in God’s love to

experience real joy

• What is joy?

• We must look in the

right place to find joy

• You can have joy even

when life hurts

• Joy comes from the Holy

Spirit revealing that

there is more

J o h n 1 5 : 1 1 - 1 3

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.

J o h n 1 5 : 1 1 - 1 3

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your

joy may be full.

J o h n 1 5 : 1 1 - 1 3

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

God loves you so much that He makes it a priority to produce a spirit of joy in

your life, and He is committed to growing that joy through the

supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.

He wants to produce a joy so deep that it transcends any pain, discouragement, and circumstantial problems you may

have.

Wouldn’t you rather be happy than sad?