Releasing God's Best: Joy
Galatians 5:1-3, 16-18, 22-25
1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
The Context - Paul’s hope and prayers for his brothers and sisters in the church at Galatia
Gathered Together - Nehemiah8:1-18
- Joy when the group gathered and read the Word together
- Joy when I pick up His book
- Joy when I read, alone or together His word
A Miktam of David - Psalm 16:7-11
- A Psalm of concern and a psalm of confidence
In A Tight Place for a Purpose - Acts 16: 16-34
- Joy in prison
- Joy for opportunities
- Joy in the results
Joy from the Eyes of Jesus - Hebrews 12:1-3
Invitation to join in this prayer at the end of the service:
Holy Spirit, I release Your joy in me right now. Give me wisdom to make room in my attitude, in my mouth, in my heart and soul so I can love those I love, love my neighbors, and love my enemies with Your joy. Amen
TODAY'S PREACHER
Randy Reese is Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC