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HOPE Covenant Sermons

Joy

March 2, 2014 Speaker: Series: God's Transforming Power

Topic: Transformation Verse: Galatians 5:16–5:25

GOD’S TRANSFORMING POWER
”Joy”
Pastor Duane Cross | 03.02.2014

 

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
Galatians 5:16-25 (NLT)

“Do everything without complaining and arguing so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.”  Philippians 2:14-18 (NIV)

FIVE DOORS TO PURE JOY

1) Genuine joy springs from trusting God in all circumstances.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. ” Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

2) Releasing all regrets about my past.

3) Understanding the power of prayer.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

4) Serving instead of sulking.

5) Having a heart of thanksgiving.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross.” Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

GOING DEEPER QUESTIONS

These questions are designed to help you go deeper with the sermon during your week - to take a closer look at the Scripture and find fresh ways to live out the main points of the sermon. Going Deeper questions also are used in all of our Grow Groups at Hope.

Scripture Reading

Galatians 5:16-25; Philippians 2:14-18; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 3:13-14; Philippians 1: 3-5; Hebrews 12:2

Getting Started

What gives you great joy in life?

How do you cultivate joy in your life?

Is it difficult for you to be “joyful” in difficult circumstances? Why or why not?

A Closer Look

Read Philippians 2:14-18

What were the circumstances that Paul suggests we as believers should rejoice in?

Pastor Duane said that one door to joy is “trusting God in all circumstances.” What do you think that means?

Based on Philippians 3:13-14, what does it mean to “forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead?”

Read Philippians 4:6. How does this passage speak to the “power of prayer”?

Read Philippians 1:3-5. How does having a heart of thanksgiving translate into joy?

Digging Deeper

There is so much anger and hatred in the world, how do I live a joy-filled life in the kingdom of man?

When you find your joy wanting, how do you replenish this fruit of the Spirit?

Pastor said, “What you don’t see God doing is always greater than what you see Him doing.” Do you believe that? Why or why not?

 

More in God's Transforming Power

April 6, 2014

Self-Control

March 30, 2014

Faithfulness

March 23, 2014

Kindness