Jun. 29, 2025

Grow Up!

Joy

Primary Text: John 15:9-13                            

Last Teaching:  Grow Up! – Integrity

1)  Virtue

Proverbs 31:10-11 (NKJV):  Who can find a virtuous wife?  For her worth is far above rubies.  The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.  

2)  Iniquity & Integrity

2 Samuel 11:3-5:  The man said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”  Then David sent messengers to get her.  She came to him, and he slept with her….  The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.”

Genesis 39:6-8:  ow Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”  But he refused.

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3)  Humble Integrity

Colossians 3:17:  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

This Week’s Teaching:  

1)  The Fruit of Joy

Galatians 5:22-23:  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

2)  The Joy Before Him

Hebrews 12:2:  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

DQ 2) How might the world’s definition of joy be different from that of Christ?

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3)  Pure Joy 

James 1:2-3:  Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Psalm 30:5 (NKJV):  For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

Nehemiah 8:9-10:  Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God.  Do not mourn or weep."  For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.  Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.  This day is sacred to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." 

DQ 4) What is the joy of the Lord?  How can it be your strength?

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5)  His Joy

John 15:9-11:  "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

1 Peter 1:8-9:  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

DQ 5) How does Christ’s joy differ from joy that comes only from within ourselves?

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