Everyone wants joy, but few people are full of joy. The life of a christian shhould be full of joy.

We may be seeking the wrong kind of joy, that is fleeting and has dimminishing returns. God has a joy that is supernatural and everlasting. Be filled with Joy!

https://youtu.be/qtZgqSUZ_KM

Welcome back to Redemption Church in Plano TX. My name is Chris Fluitt.

We are in a calorie packed sermon series.

Full (title slide)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! This Thursday you are going to eat until you are full. God has a table prepared for you and He intends you to fill up on all the good things He has prepared.  

God intends us to be THANK FULL, MERCY FULL, and GRACE FULL. That is what we have learned the 3 previous weeks of this series. All our notes, videos, & mp3s are available to you at our website redemptionplano.com. Do a quick search for “FULL” and you will be able to access the entire series.

Today at God’s table he has provided Joy. God wants you to be JOY FULL.

Joy Full

Have you ever met a joyful person? It is always fun to be around people that are filled with joy. Joy is an attractant.

I don’t enjoy being around malcontents: bitter, angry, depressed, sullen people. We enjoy joyful people. Enjoy/In Joy

In fact, we use the word “enjoy” to describe people and circumstances that bring us into a state of joy. There aren’t too many words like “enjoy.” It ties together language & emotion.  Think about somebody you “enjoy” being around.  Does this person bring joy, happiness, energy, and an over-all good feeling?

The life of a Christian should be marked with joy. Christians should be among the most joyful people you ever meet.

The world should ENJOY Christianity.

Far too often Christians are wearing anger on their faces, rather than a joyful smile.…Exhibiting an angry argument, instead of a joyful laughter.…Troubled & impatient, rather than being happy to help.

Our savior was full of joy and a joy to be around. People met your messiah and never wanted to leave his side. They were drawn to Jesus. There are even times where Jesus told people like the delivered demoniac, “Stay here and do God’s work here,” because the man wanted to follow Jesus… to be in the presence of Jesus…

Jesus is joyful. His followers should be joy full. Are there any joyful Jesus people here?

His kingdom is joy…

Romans 14:17 (NIV) For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 

God’s Spirit is joy…

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

I repeat… The life of a Christian should be marked with joy. Christians should be among the most joyful people you ever meet.

Are you Joy Full?

How are you doing when it comes to joy? Are you experiencing consistent Joy?Are you so full of Joy that it flows out of you?

Are you having a joy full year? Why not? Would you say that 2020 has been a joy full year?

Joy based on circumstance is fleeting

Has a virus affected your joy?Has an election season hurt your joy?Has a rough economy depleted your joy?Have problems in your relationships deterred your joy?Has loss stolen your joy?Has uncertainty dwarfed your joy?

Have the circumstances of life made you less than joy full?

God has a joy that is not based on circumstance. The apostle Paul, who frequently faced difficult circumstances, says this…

Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV) I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,