Kingdom Perspective on Happiness and Joy

2.  Happiness depends on happenings; joy depends on Jesus.  Happiness depends on happenings; joy depends on Jesus.  A kingdom perspective: Engaging with the Holy Spirit, His teachings and our life experiences gives us opportunity for maturing the fruit of the Spirit.  A kingdom perspective: Engaging with the Holy Spirit, His teachings and our life experiences gives us opportunity for maturing the fruit of the Spirit.

3.  Webster: Excitement/pleasurable feeling caused by the acquisition or expectation of something good; gladness or delight  Webster: Excitement/pleasurable feeling caused by the acquisition or expectation of something good; gladness or delight  Kingdom: The tangible & affable response to the presence of God in one’s life  Kingdom: The tangible & affable response to the presence of God in one’s life  Joy is NOT the absence of challenges, trials or disappointments; it is responding to the Presence of God in the midst of our life’s circumstances.  Joy is NOT the absence of challenges, trials or disappointments; it is responding to the Presence of God in the midst of our life’s circumstances.

4.  Life’s events don’t determine the growth of fruit, but how we respond to those events will.  Life’s events don’t determine the growth of fruit, but how we respond to those events will. • God is always the solution, never the problem • God is always the solution, never the problem  Cultivating joy (or any other fruit of the spirit) is not an event, it’s a lifelong process  Cultivating joy (or any other fruit of the spirit) is not an event, it’s a lifelong process • The joy of the Lord is contagious & healing • The joy of the Lord is contagious & healing

5.  Challenges create opportunities to ask “What are you trying to teach (cultivate in) me, Lord?”  Challenges create opportunities to ask “What are you trying to teach (cultivate in) me, Lord?”  The first lesson - It’s never about how I feel  The first lesson - It’s never about how I feel • Phil 4:4 - We rejoice (give joy) because He is worthy • Phil 4:4 - We rejoice (give joy) because He is worthy • Neh 8:10 - He rejoices over us. His joy becomes our strength • Neh 8:10 - He rejoices over us. His joy becomes our strength

6.  Ps 45:7 – “God has anointed You (Christ) with the oil of joy above Your fellows”  Ps 45:7 – “God has anointed You (Christ) with the oil of joy above Your fellows”  1 Chron 16:27 – “Splendor & majesty are before Him, strength and joy are in His place.”  1 Chron 16:27 – “Splendor & majesty are before Him, strength and joy are in His place.”  Lk 10:21 – Jesus was filled by the Holy Spirit with (rapturous-dancing) joy.  Lk 10:21 – Jesus was filled by the Holy Spirit with (rapturous-dancing) joy.

7.  Ps 16:11 – “In Your presence is fullness of joy…”  Ps 16:11 – “In Your presence is fullness of joy…”  Jn 17:13 – “…so that they may have MY joy made full in themselves.”  Jn 17:13 – “…so that they may have MY joy made full in themselves.”  Jesus’ joy was that He and the Father are one.  Jesus’ joy was that He and the Father are one.  Our joy is that we, the branches, are in relationship with the Father through Jesus the Vine  Our joy is that we, the branches, are in relationship with the Father through Jesus the Vine Jn 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you that My joy may be in you and your joy may be made full.” Jn 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you that My joy may be in you and your joy may be made full.”

8.  Deut 28:47 – “Serve the Lord your God with joy…for the abundance of all things…”  Deut 28:47 – “Serve the Lord your God with joy…for the abundance of all things…”  Ps 100:2 – “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him w/joyful singing.”  Ps 100:2 – “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him w/joyful singing.”  Rom 14:17 – “for the kingdom of God is righteousness/peace/joy in the Holy Spirit”  Rom 14:17 – “for the kingdom of God is righteousness/peace/joy in the Holy Spirit”  1 Thes 5:16 &18– “…rejoice always…in (not for) everything give thanks.”  1 Thes 5:16 &18– “…rejoice always…in (not for) everything give thanks.”

9.  I will NEVER leave or forsake you.  I will NEVER leave or forsake you.  We are joint heirs w/Jesus.  We are joint heirs w/Jesus.    Nothing that comes into our lives is “uncommon” to man – BUT remember we are in relationship w/an uncommon God.  Nothing that comes into our lives is “uncommon” to man – BUT remember we are in relationship w/an uncommon God.  We are ordinary people in relationship with an extraordinary God!  We are ordinary people in relationship with an extraordinary God!

10.  For what are you known among those who know you, AND among those who don’t?  For what are you known among those who know you, AND among those who don’t?  

11.  Eph 3: 20-21 > “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us , to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever, Amen!”  Eph 3: 20-21 > “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us , to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever, Amen!”