LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part-12)

HOLY SPIRIT (Part-12)

Joy:
– The Greek word is “chara” (emphasis on the 2nd syllable)
  and it means, “joy, rejoicing, gladness, enjoyment, bliss”.

– (Luke 10:17-20)
  Question:
  Why were the 72 joyful?
      – Even the demons submit to them in His name.

  Question:
  Why did Jesus say they should rejoice?
      – Because their names were written in heaven.
  Question:
  Shouldn’t that be the reason for us to rejoice as well?

– (Psalm 51:12)
  Question:
  What is the source of David’s joy?
      – The joy of “your” salvation.

  Question:
  Why did he say “your” salvation?
      – Revelation 7:10

  Question:
  Why is salvation God’s and not ours?
      – He is the One Who saves; it is His to give, ours to receive.
        Note:
            “charis” is the Greek word for “grace”.

  Note:
      (Hebrews 2:3) Speaks of our focus on salvation.

  Note:
      (John 3:30)
      God deserves His rightful place
      (we have to make the choice to become less).

– (Hebrews 12:18-24)
  Mentions the New Jerusalem.
  (v22) Look at the assembly and their demeanor (joyful).

– (Revelation 13:8)
  Those who are not included
  in the book of life are destined for a less joyful life.

– (Revelation 17:8)
  The length of time the names have not been
  written in the book of life (from the creation of the world).

– (Revelation 3:5)
  Rewards for those who overcome.

– (Revelation 21:22-27)
  Describes the New Jerusalem (we were saved to enjoy it).

– (Revelation 20:11-15)
  Describes what we have been saved from.

– (2 Peter 3:3-7)
  The Greek word for “destruction” is “apoleia”
  which means, “losing, loss, the state after death
  wherein exclusion from salvation is a realized fact”.

– (Philippians 2:10-11)
  Everyone will bow to Jesus;
  we can bow now by choice, or later by force.

– (Psalm 39:4-7)
  Our life on earth is short (but our eternal life is long).

– (Luke 10:20)
  Reminder: This is our reason for rejoicing.

– Look at how each of these scriptures
  refers to things hidden, and the joy resulting from discovery.
  Note:
      There may be many hidden joys that we may discover.
          – (Matthew 13:44) A man discovered a hidden treasure.

          – (Matthew 28:1-8) The women discovered an empty tomb.

          – (Luke 1:39-44)
            From the womb of his mother,
            John the Baptist discovered the Messiah.

          – (Luke 2:8-10) The shepherds discovered the good news.

          – (Luke 10:21) The children discovered truths.

          – (Luke 24:50-52)
            The disciples discovered and worshipped the resurrected Lord.

– (James 1:2)
  We can find joy in trials (a promise from God’s Word).
  Question:
  How?

– (Acts 16:16-40)
  Question:
  Why were Paul and Silas arrested?
      – Paul commanded the spirit (demon) to leave this girl
        (which cost her owners money).

  Question:
  What had Silas done?
      – Nothing (was he guilty by association?).

  Question:
  What was their punishment?
      – Stripped, beaten, thrown into jail (inner cell), and put in stocks.

  Question:
  Who heard the testimony of their prayers and singing?
      – Other prisoners.

  Question:
  How did God respond to their praises?
      – Violent earthquake; prison doors opened; chains were released.

  Question:
  How was the life of the jailer spared?
      – None of the prisoners had left.

  Question:
  What was the end result of the imprisonment of Paul and Silas?
      – The jailer and his family were saved.
      – The magistrates had to swallow their pride and release them publicly.

  Question:
  Why do you think Paul and Silas were singing; were they being joyful?

– (Philippians 4:4)
  Paul exhorted all believers to rejoice,
  even though he was in another prison.
  Note:
      Paul realized that through difficulty, believers can
      discover the presence, purpose, and power of God.
      He discovered it by remaining in his circumstances,
      not by leaving them.

– (Philippians 3:8)
  Paul discovered that knowing God
  was greater than any loss he might suffer.
  Apparently, his joy in tribulation was motivated by
  his knowledge that the best of God’s presence, purpose,
  and power is discovered in the worst of circumstances.

– (Acts 7:51-60)
  Look at how the Holy Spirit
  helped Stephen to deal with his circumstances.

  Question:
  Do you think he experienced joy at any time during his ordeal?

  Question:
  If so, then when?
      – When he saw Jesus standing?

– (Jeremiah 29:13)
  The scriptures tell us how to seek and find the Lord.

– Restoration joy:
      – (Psalm 71:1-24)
        The psalmist had a personal relationship with God.
            – He had three fears:
              1. (Psalm 71:1) Fearful of being shamed (probably publicly).
              2. (Psalm 71:4) Fearful of being overtaken by the wicked.
              3. (Psalm 71:9-12)
                  Fearful of weakness in old age, being murdered,
                  and that God would appear to have forsaken him.

            – (Psalm 71:20) He sought restoration from his troubles.

            – (Psalm 71:22-24) Look at the joy he anticipates from being restored.

      – (Philippians 3:10-11) Look at what Paul desired the most.
            – Paul realized the joy of knowing Christ
              and felt there were two elements in knowing Him:
              1. Realizing the power of His resurrection (what it really meant).
              2. The fellowship of sharing in His suffering
                  (walking in someone else’s shoes
                   gives us a greater appreciation of them).
                   Note:
                       His hope was to be resurrected as Christ was.

– (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)
  God comforts, consoles, and restores us for a reason
  (so that we are prepared to help others in the same way).

  Question:
  Does that mean we should expect to experience continual difficulties?
      – (1 Peter 5:10) No. Peter says it will last for a little while.
        Note:
            Look at what he says will follow our suffering
            (that should provide us with joy).
        Question:
        Who restores us and makes us strong?
            – God Himself.

– (Psalm 85:4-7)
  More reasons for restoration.
  Question:
  Why did they want and need restoration?
      – God was displeased and angry with them.

  Question:
  What would be the response of the restored?
      – To rejoice in the Lord.

– (Jeremiah 31:1-20)
  Restoration following discipline
  (Israel & Judah were in captivity).
      – (Jeremiah 31:3)
        God loves us and doesn’t like separation from us
        (even though it is a form of discipline).

– Abiding joy:
      – (John 15:1-17)
        Question:
        Why are the branches pruned?
            – (v2) So they will be more fruitful.

        Question:
        How is the branch equipped to bear fruit?
            – (v4) It remains in the vine.

        Question:
        What is the message to us?
            – (v4) Remain in the Lord.

        Question:
        What is the key to effective prayer?
            – (v7) Remain in the Lord, and His Words remain in us.

        Question:
        How do we remain in the Lord?

        Question:
        How do His Words remain in us?

        Question:
        How can we glorify the Father?
            – (v8) Bear much fruit (which shows we are His disciples).

        Question:
        How should we respond to His love for us?
            – (v9) Remain in His love.

        Question:
        How can we remain in His love?
            – (v10) Obey His commands.

        Question:
        What is the result of our remaining in Him?
            – (v11) We can enjoy His love completely.

– (Ruth 1:1-18)
  Gives us some guidelines for abiding (or remaining) with another.
      – (v16)
        A desire to not be separated;
        a desire to follow in His footsteps;
        a desire to love those He loves;
        a desire to cling to Him.

      – (v17)
        A determination that only death would cause separation
        (which means we would have lived our lives for Him).

– (1 Kings 17-19) A story from the life of Elijah.
      – God led Elijah to confront the evil king Ahab
        and to declare a long period of drought.

      – At the end of the drought, Elijah confronted Ahab
        and defeated the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel.

      – At what apparently was the height of his ministry,
        Elijah was in fear of Jezebel, ran away into the wilderness,
        and fell into suicidal depression.

      – However, God restored and
        re-commissioned Elijah for his last years of ministry.
        Note:
            Although Elijah was not living in sin,
            he had lost his joy; he became filled with fear and depression.

      – Some things that can contribute to the loss of our joy:
            – Our outpouring exceeds our intake.
              Note:
              We need to refuel continuously.

            – Our talk exceeds our walk.
               Note:
               We need to continually show our belief by the way we live.

            – When we focus on dramatic circumstances.
               We look for them, we anticipate them,
               and we are disappointed when they don’t happen.
               Note:
                   God whispered to Elijah.

            – When we are exhausted.
               Note:
               We need to be conscious of our diet and rest.

            – When we feel alone.
               Note:
                   We need to realize that others
                   have the same desire to obey and serve.

– (Romans 15:30-32)
  Question:
  Why did Paul want to be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea?
      – To find joy in reuniting with his friends, and to be refreshed.
        Note:
            Reuniting with friends can bring joy.

– (Romans 16:19)
  Question:
  Why was Paul full of joy?
      – Because the people had been obedient.
        Note:
            Our obedience can bring joy to others.

– (2 Corinthians 2:3)
  Question:
  What did Paul want to do when he returned to Corinth?
      – Share his joy with the people there.

– (2 Corinthians 7:4)
  Question:
  What was the basis of Paul’s encouragement and confidence?
      – He found joy in the midst of troubles;
         also in the repentance of the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 7:5-11).
         Note:
             We can find joy in the repentance of others.

– (2 Corinthians 7:6-7)
  Question:
  What news increased Paul’s joy?
      – Their love and concern for him.
         Note:
             We can be a venue for the joy of others
             when we show love and concern for them.

– (Philippians 1:21-26)
  Question:
  Why did Paul want to remain with the Philippian believers?
      – So they could all find joy in Jesus Christ?

  Question:
  Was Paul being egotistical?
      – No, he was saying they would rejoice
         because the Lord had freed him from his bondage.

– (Philippians 4:1)
  Question:
  What did Paul call his joy and crown?
      – His fellow believers.
         Note:
             We can provide joy to other believers through our friendship.

– Some sources of Paul’s joy:
      – (1 Thessalonians 1:6) Welcoming of God’s message through him.

      – (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20) Christian friends.

      – (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9) The faith of fellow believers.

      – (2 Timothy 1:3-4) Long lasting friendships remembered.

      – (Philemon 1:7) The love of Christian friends.

      – (Hebrews 10:24-25) Fellowship with other believers.
         Question:
         What are the risks of not having fellowship with other believers?
         Note:
              We need to be sensitive to those who are lonely in Christ.

– (Psalms 51:12-13)
  Look at the impact we can have on others when we find joy.

– Summary, joy is:
      – The result of realizing our names are written in heaven.
      – The result of discovering the person,
         power and plan of God in all our circumstances.
      – The result of being restored.
      – The result of remaining in Christ.
      – The result of relating to God’s people (in God’s way).