The Joy of Our Salvation

Main Point

The Response to our inheritance (last week) is Joy. Salvation and Joy should always be connected. Look at Luke 15. The response when the lost sheep, coin, son are found is joy. Nothing in this life should steal the joy we have in Jesus in response to the life that we have in him. To a persecuted church this joy was the fuel to keep the faith.

This fuel we get from joy is abundant and should be overflowing to others in our lives. Joy is what we lean on to get through our present troubles and struggles. When we live joyful lives, we receive praise from Jesus. Joy is evidence of connection with 

Jesus and it is actively changing us.

“Faith survives even in the midst of the pressures and pains of disillusionment, disaster, disease and dread.” –Barrick, Ps. 116:10

Characteristics of the Joy of the Believer:

• Our Joy is Great- abundantly, exceedingly in the salvation we have
• Our Joy in hard times is proof of our faith
• Our Joy leads to praise from Jesus
• Our Joy is connected to a personal relationship with Jesus
• Our Joy is active: we are obtaining salvation

Scripture

• 1 Peter 1:6-9
• Luke 15 – joy in the inheritance of the Father
• Matthew 5:12 – joy in persecution
• Matthew 25:21-23 (The reward of the faithful servant – entering the joy of the master.)
• Psalm 116 (Sung at Passover – Think Jesus and Disciples at Passover,  Matthew 26:30)

Questions

• How is joy different from happiness?
• What brings you joy?
• What are the things that steal our joy?
• What can we do to increase our joy?

Application

• Read Philippians this week. Look for “joy” or “rejoice”. Remember Paul is writing from prison!
• Read Psalm 116.
• Let your joy be active this week in your life and the life of others.