Joy from the Spirit; Now Make Heaven Your Hope

This joy is heaven-focused and made possible by Jesus dying on the cross and defeating death. It cannot be taken from you by anyone or anything. Enjoy this inspiring Bible study.

Summary

Joy that no one can take

Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you [Psalms 51:12-13 (WEB)].

Think about this:

What is the source of your joy? David lost his joy after getting what he wanted (Bathsheba; 2 Samuel 11:1-12:23). How often do we want what is not right for us? Our desire to have (the wrong things/person) can cost more than it is worth. God gave us the gift of salvation; the hope of heaven. Is that the center of your joy?

Key Points:

1. Jesus said…

   “You have sorrow now…no one will take your joy from you” {John 16:22}. The disciples were saddened by the news that Jesus was soon to die. Jesus told them He had to go away so the Holy Spirit (the source of eternal joy) could come. I have spoken these things to you in order that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be made complete [John 15:11 (LEB)].

2. Delight in the Lord

   Be glad for what He did for you. Our joy is the hope of heaven (salvation; eternal life). Now we hope for [or This new birth provides us with] the blessings God has for his children [an inheritance]. These blessings [or This inheritance], which cannot be destroyed or be spoiled [corrupted; defiled] or lose their beauty, are [is] kept in heaven for you [1 Peter 1:4 (EXB)].

3. Be joyful

   Find joy in Jesus not what or who you have. Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope make you full of joy and peace through faith, so that all hope may be yours in the power of the Holy Spirit. (BBE)

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Fruit of the Spirit

Joy part 1 – so many do not know this benefit of being a child of God. It is not connected to things or human relationships, it comes from the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Joy from the Spirit of God

God gives his children a ‘Spiritual joy‘ that comes from the Spirit of God, reserved for the born-again (Galatians 5:22 and 1 Thessalonians 1:6). The joy that Jesus says “no one will take from you” (John 16:22), it is the unspeakable (in a good way, i.e., beyond words, wonderful) and glorious (full of glory, heavenly or Spiritual) joy 1 Peter 1:8.

1 Peter 1:6-9

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a time you may have to suffer various trials: 7 That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold, which perishes, though it is tested by fire, might be found to result in praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and though you do not see him now, yet you believe in him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy: 9 Receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (RKJNT)

Examples

Jesus demonstrated this joy, some say He (Jesus) rejoiced.

Luke 10:21-22

In that same hour he was full of joy* in the Holy Spirit and said, I give praise to you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have kept these things secret from the wise and the men of learning, and have made them clear to little children: for so, O Father, it was pleasing in your eyes.

22 All things have been given to me by my Father: and no one has knowledge of the Son, but only the Father: and of the Father, but only the Son, and he to whom the Son will make it clear. (BBE)

* from the Greek ἀγαλλιάω agalliao (ag-al-lee-ah’-o) v. 1. (properly) to jump for joy 2. rejoice, be exceeding glad, be glad, greatly rejoice, with exceeding joy.

The apostles (disciples) displayed this Spiritual joy after the people (non-Jews / Gentiles) in Antioch accepted the good news.

Acts 13:52

And the disciples were full of joy and of the Holy Spirit (BBE).

The joy that comes from the Holy Spirit—Spiritual Joy—is detached from your emotions and circumstances. So it does not matter what is happening in your life. It’s the 1 Peter 2:9 royal priesthood/peculiar (special) people joy for those called out of darkness into His marvelous light. This joy is unchangeable; it is unmovable and dependable because the source is not of this world. It is a joy that allows us to rejoice in the time of trouble and what would normally cause sadness…

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 Gentleness, self-control: against such things there is no law. (RKJNT)

Heavenly – Jesus Joy

Jesus wants you to have ‘the same joy that He has’. It is available to all who accept the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 15:11

I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have [my joy may be in you] and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy [might be complete] (EXB).

Also look at John 17:13 in the Amplified Bible “And now I am coming to You; I say these things while I am still in the world, so that My joy may be made full and complete and perfect in them [that they may experience My delight fulfilled in them, that My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts].” [John 15:9-17; 17:9-17]

This joy—Jesus joy—cannot be taken away from you by anyone or anything. Many of you may sing songs related to this, one that I recall singing since childhood “This joy that I have, the world didn’t give it to me…the world didn’t give, the world can’t take it away“.

John 16:19-22

Jesus saw that they had a desire to put the question to him, so he said to them, Is this what you are questioning one with another, why I said, After a little time, you will see me no longer; and then again, after a little time, you will see me?

20 Truly I say to you, You will be weeping and sorrowing, but the world will be glad: you will be sad, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.

21 When a woman is about to give birth she has sorrow, because her hour is come; but when she has given birth to the child, the pain is put out of her mind by the joy that a man has come into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now: but I will see you again, and your hearts will be glad, and no one will take away your joy. (BBE)

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Eternal life Promised

Joy part 2 – rejoice in knowing eternal life is a promise from God for all who have the Holy Spirit. Faith and patient endurance is key.

Faith is the key

Galatians 3:5, 10-11

Does God give you the Spirit because you follow the law? Does God work miracles among you because you follow the law? No, God gives you his Spirit and works miracles among you because you heard the message about Jesus and believed it.

♦ 10 But people who depend on following the law to make them right are under a curse. As the Scriptures say, “They must do everything that is written in the law. If they do not always obey, they are under a curse.”^[a] 11 So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by the law. The Scriptures say, “The one who is right with God by faith will live forever^[b].” (ERV)

Footnote: ^[a] Galatians 3:10 – Quote from Deuteronomy 27:26; reference Jeremiah 11:3; Matthew 5:19; James 2:10. ^[b] Galatians 3:11 – Quote from Habakkuk 2:4; reference Genesis 15:6; Romans 1:17, 4:3, 9, 22; Galatians 2:16; Hebrew 10:38; James 2:23.

Galatians 3:24-27

So the law was our master until Christ came^[c]. After Christ came, we could be made right with God through faith. 25 Now the way of faith has come, and we no longer live under the law. 26-27 You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This shows that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus^[d]. (ICB)

Footnote: ^[c] Galatians 3:24 – see Romans 9:30, 10:4; Galatians 2:16. ^[d] Galatians 3:27 – read Acts 8:14-17; Colossians 2:11-23 (focus verses: 11-15; key verses: 11-12)

Children of promise

Galatians 4:28

Now you, brothers and sisters—like Isaac, you are children of promise. (NLV) As children of promise, you have reason to be full of joy. You should ask, who made the promise and what is the promise? That is a very good question. Jesus made the promise: 1 John 2:25 Christ has given us the promise of eternal life. (GW)

John 17:2-3

You have given your Son power over all people. So all those you have given him will live for ever. 3 You are the only true God. If they know you, and Jesus Christ whom you sent, they will live for ever. (WE)

Promise of Holy Spirit and eternal life

The short breakdown: the promise is two-fold or has two parts 1) the Holy Spirit and 2) eternal life or heaven. You cannot have part 2 without part 1. The Holy Spirit is your qualifier or ticket into heaven.

John 3:5-6

Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can enter God’s kingdom unless they are born with water and the Holy Spirit. 6 People give birth to people. But the Spirit gives birth to spirit. (NIRV)

The Holy Spirit is your guarantee of eternal life. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (NKJV) ♦ Titus 1:1-2 [This letter is from] Paul, a slave of God, and an apostle for [the benefit of] the faith of God’s elect [i.e., His chosen people] and [to spread] the knowledge of the truth which leads to godliness, 2 [and provides] hope for never ending life. God, who cannot lie, promised this [life] before the beginning of time, (AUV)

2 Corinthians 1:24

Not that we have dominion [over you] and lord it over your faith, but [rather that we work with you as] fellow laborers [to promote] your joy, for in [your] faith (in your strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through Whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God) you stand firm. (AMP)

Rejoice now

One definition of joy is ‘the feeling, passion or emotion excited by the confidence and assured hope of future good‘. That future good is eternal life in heaven for the born-again believers-children of promise.

Isaiah 35:8-10

And a highway will be there; its name will be, The Holy Way; the unclean and the sinner may not go over it, and those who go on it will not be turned out of the way by the foolish. 9 No lion will be there, or any cruel beast; they will not be seen there; but those for whom the Lord has given a price,

10 Even those whom he has made free, will come back again; they will come with songs to Zion; on their heads will be eternal joy; delight and joy will be theirs, and sorrow and sounds of grief will be gone for ever. (BBE)

A prayer for you…

Colossians 1:9-14

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. (NLT)

Joy from the Spirit

Children of promise, since your joy comes from the Holy Spirit, it remains unless you no longer have the Spirit. No one can take your joy.

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Joy in the Lord

Joy part 3 – your reason for happiness should be the hope of heaven (the new Jerusalem). Yes, the place you will spend eternity.

Joyful in the Lord

Psalms 5:11-12

But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice, Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in you. 12 For you will bless the righteous. LORD, you will surround him with favor as with a shield. (NHEB)

Another definition of joy from Webster’s 1913 Dictionary – pleasurable feelings or emotions caused by success, good fortune, and the like, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exhilaration of spirits; delight. The word rejoice in the New Testament is also translated as joy or joyfully.

One example is the greeting in Philippians 3:1 ‘Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord …” (KJV) ♦ ‘My brothers and sisters, be full of joy in the Lord.’ (NCV) ♦ Rejoice in this Scripture is from the Greek χαίρω chairo (khai’-ro) v. 1. to be “cheerful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off 2. (impersonally, especially) as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well 3. joy (-fully); be joyful; be full of joy.

Rejoice; heaven your hope

So, rejoice, be full of joy or be joyful; does it really matter the term we use, can we agree on the (bottom-line) message:

Philippians 3:20-21

Our citizenship is in heaven. We look forward to a savior that comes from there—the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform our humble bodies so that they are like his glorious body, by the power that also makes him able to subject all things to himself. (CEB)

Be glad

Psalms 16:7-11

I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night season. 8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.

11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. (NWR)

Acts 2:25-28

For David says concerning Him: I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is at my right hand, that I not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoices, and my tongue is glad; moreover my flesh also dwells in hope. 27 For You will not leave My soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence. (VW)

Be glad in the Lord

Psalms 97:9-12

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Joy wrap-up

1 Thessalonians 1:5-6

For our gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with full conviction. You know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word despite much affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit: (RKJNT)

Spiritual joy is a lasting joy, a joy based on Spiritual things and is not tied to what is happening in your earthly life. This joy is heaven-focused and made possible by Jesus dying on the cross and defeating death. Jesus made it clear that He died for us—His friends.

John 15:13-14

“No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you.” (HCSB)

Do you now agree that no one/nothing can take your joy? Jesus gave it to you, cherish it knowing that one day we will dwell with Him.

Jude 1:24-25

“Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless in the presence of his glory with exceedingly great joy, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory and majesty, dominion and authority, before all time, and now, and forevermore. Amen.” (RKJNT)

Maintain your joy in the Lord, my friends, until next time—be blessed—♥ Tim.☺

Bible study Scriptures outline

Note: parenthesis (#) enclose the key verses.

Summary: Psalms 51:12-13; 2 Samuel 11:1-12:23 ( 11:2-5; 11:14-17 and 11:26-27); John chapters 14-16 (14:2, 14:16, 14:26, 15:11, 16:7 and 16:20-22); Colossians 1:3-18 (5); 1 Peter 1:3-12 (4); Matthew 6:19–21; Luke 12:33; Romans 15:7-13 (13).

Fruit of the Spirit: 1 Peter 1:3-12 (8); Acts 13:13-52 (44 and 52); Luke 10:21-24 (21-22); Galatians 5:16-26 (22-23); John 15:9-17 (11), 17:9-17 (13), and 16:16-24 ( 19-22).

Eternal life promised: Isaiah 61:1-3 (3); Galatians 3:1-14 ( 5, 10-11; {references for verse 10, see Deuteronomy 27:26; Jeremiah 11:3; Matthew 5:19; James 2:10 and for verse 11, see Habakkuk 2:4; Genesis 15:6; Romans 1:17, 4:3, 9, 22; Galatians 2:16; Hebrew 10:38; James 2:23}) and 3:15-29 (16, 21-27; {references for verse 24, see Romans 9:30, 10:4; Galatians 2:16 and for verse 27, see Acts 8:14-17; Colossians 2:11-23 (11-12)}); Galatians 4:21-31 ( 28-31); 1 John 2:24-27 (25); John 17:1-5 (2-3); John 3:1-21 (3-6); 2 Corinthians 1:15-24 (21-24); Titus 1:1-4 (1-2); Isaiah 35:8-10 (10); Colossians 1:9-18 (9-14)

Joy in the Lord: Psalms 5:11-12; Philippians 3:1, 17-21 (20-21); Psalms 16:7-11 (11); Acts 2:14-39 (25-28); Psalms 97:9-12 (12)

Wrap-up: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 (5-6); John 15:9-17 (13-14); Jude 1:24-25

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further Spiritual growth:

Fruit of the Spirit; Helpful Qualities Just For You! – an estimated 19-minute read.

Positive Attitude – You Can Adjust; Be Sure and Full of Hope – an estimated 19-minute read.

♥ Question for “Joy the Bible study”: Do you have joy in the Lord and understand that no one can take it?

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Copyright information:

(EXB) The Expanded Bible Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright ©2011 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. || (GW) Scripture is taken from GOD’S WORD®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group. || (HCSB)Scripture quotations marked HCSB®, are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. HCSB® is a federally registered trademark of Holman Bible Publishers. || (ICB) Scripture taken from the International Children’s Bible®. Copyright © 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. || (LEB) Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software. || (NCV) Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. || (TLB) Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. || (VW) A Voice in the Wilderness P.O.Box 9531 Spokane, WA 99209 USA Website: www.a-voice.org || (WE) Taken from THE JESUS BOOK – The Bible in Worldwide English. Copyright SOON Educational Publications, Derby DE65 6BN, UK. Used by permission.