Sermon and Announcements March 23

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

March 23, 2025

 

Joy

John 15:9-11

 

Today we are continuing on with the 2^nd fruit of the spirit, Joy. Depending on the translation the word Joy is mentioned as much as 300 times in the Bible. The New International version I use mentions, in one form or another, Joy 242 times. But what is Joy?

According to the dictionary the definition of Joy is “The emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something good or satisfying. A source of keen pleasure or delight.”

The Biblical definition for Joy is a feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or what is happening around us. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, abiding in God’s presence and hope in His word.

So, you can see up to a point the definition most commonly found in a dictionary and the definition rooted in God’s word have some similarities but there is a very definite difference.

The use of the word Joy in the scripture we first read clearly shows Jesus was wanting his disciples to know what is available to them and how it can be flowing through them. When James was talking about Joy in James 1:2+3 he was describing a different way and reason the church can be experiencing Joy. There he says “consider it pure Joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. This encouragement from James makes it clear that the Joy a believer has comes from walking with the Lord in every situation.

 

The question for you and me is whether we are tapping into the Spirit lead Joy talked about in Galatians or is the Joy we more often have based on how things are going minute by minute or day by day like described in a normal dictionary. The reality is that no matter how much we try to walk with the Lord there will be times we allow circumstances to overwhelm us. I am reminded of the time that the disciples left Jesus on the shore and went on ahead in a boat. After a period of time Jesus walked on the water to catch up with them. When the disciples saw someone walking on the water toward them, we are told they were terrified. Makes sense no one expects to see someone or something walking toward you on the water. Jesus called to them to calm their fears and once Peter realized it was Jesus he said can I come out to you on the water? Jesus said go ahead and so there was Peter walking on the water toward Jesus. But before long he noticed the waves and the wind and said to himself what in the world am I doing I can’t walk on water and he began to sink.  This is found in Matthew 14:22-30. Do we lose the Joy the Holy Spirit has for us when we look less to God and more at storms of life going on around us?

 

Is it easy to always have Joy flowing through us as the Holy Spirit intends? No. Once again the question for you and me is are we allowing the things going on around us to dictate our Joy or are we allowing the Holy Spirit to help us to grow in this fruit of the spirit just like the good fruit grows on the good tree Jesus talked about?

 

Are we considering it pure joy when those difficulties of life come our way. Are we looking at them as opportunities to grow closer and more trusting in the Lord?

 

As we draw to a close our look at the fruit joy lets be reminded of what is said in Psalm 30:4+5 “Sing praise to the Lord you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but Joy comes in the morning.

 

The second fruit of the spirit is Joy. The Holy Spirit has made it available to every believer in Christ. It is yours and mine to claim. There may be times that we lose that Joy that is there for us, but we can reclaim it just as quickly as Peter did when he was walking on the water. For a moment he took his eyes off of Jesus and he began to sink but just as quick as he turned back to Jesus his faith his confidence his Joy returned. That is what God is saying to you and me as well. Keep your eyes on me, allow the Holy Spirit to guide your path and you can live in the Joy I have made available to you no matter what the circumstance.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

 

March 29 9:30-3:30 District Potluck Experience in Peoria

April 6 Blanket Sunday

Executive Committee after worship

April 13 Snacks due for college care packages—we know of 6.

April 17 6:00 pm Love Feast here

 

--Please sign up to give a children’s message during worship and/or in the nursery during the sermon.

 

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Pastor Larry Traxler (217) 454-2362

 

 

Keep in Your Prayers

The families of Marianne Pittman, Cody Gentry, and Barb Wood; Vallen (Tracy’s granddaughter); Pat Creviston; Stacie Warren; Doris Morganthaler; Nancy Fansler; Ruth Siburt; Dorthea Wood; Mike and Kathy Gentry; Steve Needham; Larry Traxler; Nancy Gorrell; Nora Hanaver; Ron and Kathleen Petersen; Doug Larrick; Louis & Carol Sulwer; Shirley & Carroll Clarkson; David and Jan Bower; Debbie Garvey Leibrock; Adiline Young; Mayo and Darlene Hanaver; many unspoken requests; victims of shootings and of natural disasters; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; the Haitian church; the CoB in the Democratic Republic of Congo; those in the middle of war and violence; military and other services and their families; Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the District Potluck Experience Team and for the potluck this coming Saturday. Also pray for Disaster workers and for Brethren Disaster Ministries.