Steve Petch Sunday 27 th February 2011 Life as God Intended

What sort of people does God want us to be? ‘Life as God Intended’ He is transforming us to be like Jesus (Rom 8 v 28 – 29)

Steve Petch Sunday 27 th February 2011 Life as God intended Part 14: Joy Galatians 5 v

The fruit of the Spirit: God wants our lives to be fruitful God is interested in our fruitfulness We produce good fruit by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit It’s about our character, not our gifting Our character will affect what we do with our gifting

For Christians, JOY is not… … a denial of reality … so deep you cannot see it, feel it or express it … a temporary emotional response … something we should pursue as our life’s goal … reserved for ‘Super-Christians’ … the absence of problems

Christian JOY is… “An inner contentment in the Lord, regardless of circumstances, assuring the Christian that he or she is in the caring hand of God.” “The positive feeling of the whole person that God’s will is being done.” Nehemiah 8v10: “The joy of the Lord is your strength”

How can we help the growth of joy in our lives? 1. Avoid joy killers Bad company Negative speech Sin Lack of purpose Disappointment Ungratefulness Lack of prayer Ignorance of God Unbelief Loving this world

How can we help the growth of joy in our lives? 2. Get a right view of your life Don’t look down, look up Don’t look back, look forward Don’t look in, look out

How can we help the growth of joy in our lives? 3. Don’t seek joy, seek the joy giver The Holy Spirit – Romans 14 v17 The Father – Psalm 16 v 11 Jesus – Luke 10v21; Heb 12 v2-3

How can we help the growth of joy in our lives? Joy is a promised reward for Christian believers (Isaiah 51 v11)

Steve Petch Sunday 27 th February 2011 Life as God intended Part 14: Joy Galatians 5 v