chara

• Joy• Gladness• Delight• chairein – literally “joy be with you”– Acts 23:26; 15:23; James 1:1

“The distinguishing atmosphere of the Christian life”

• Philippians 3:1; 4:4• 1 Thessalonians 5:16• Colossians 1:9-11• Romans 14:17• It is one of the ingredients that makes our life

Joy of Fellowship

• Togetherness• Philippians 4:10• 2 John 12• 2 Corinthians 7:7, 13

Joy of Truth• New discovery– Luke 2:10: Angels to shepherds—great joy– Matthew 2:10: Wise men rejoiced– Matthew 28:8; Luke 24:41; John 20:20: the disciples had

joy after the resurrection – Luke 24:52: joy after the ascension

• Receiving the truth– Luke 19:6: Zacchaeus– Acts 8:8: the preaching of Philip brought joy to Samaria– 1 Thessalonians 1:6: the Thessalonians– Acts 8:39: After baptism of the Ethiopian– Acts 13:48: Gentiles when they gospel was preached to

them

Joy of Believing

• Romans 15:13• Philippians 1:25• “There have always been those who have

made an agony of their religion. But for the New Testament, belief and joy go hand in hand.” (William Barclay)

A Sternness in This Joy

• Rejoices in discipline and testing– James 1:2– John 16:21-22

• Joy and affliction work together– Acts 13:52– 2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; Acts 5:41;

1 Peter 4:13; Colossians 1:24

James Bales“Since our source of joy is rooted in Christ and not changing circumstances of this life, or in the other things of the world, we have the source of joy that the world cannot really know; and which the world cannot take away. Although the Christians are not always on the mountain peaks of joy, and although they have their time of descending into the valley of sorrows, yet still there is a source of joy in their hearts. Christ is with them in these sorrows and He has promised them that ultimately they will be triumphant in Him.”

Joy of Work• In the sight of God in Action– Luke 10:17; 13:17; 19:37

• In the spread of the gospel– Acts 11:23; 15:3

• Of preachers & teachers in the progress of those taught– Romans 16:19– Philippians 2:2; Colossians 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:9; 2

John 4; 3 John 4• Preaching is to bring joy to men– John 15:11; 17:13; 1 John 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:24;

Philippians 1:25

The Joy of those brought to Christ

• Philippians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; Hebrews 13:17

• This joy is the joy of God– The shepherd and the lost sheep• Luke 15:5, 7; Matthew 18:13

– The woman and the lost coin• Luke 15:10

– The father and the lost sons• Luke 15:32