Introduction

• Psalms 119:47
• This should be a continuing cycle:
  • Joy in scripture ➡️ more Bible study ➡️ more joy

This is where real, lasting joy is found - in God’s scriptures.

• Some definitions and terms
  • Delight
  • Joy
  • Happiness

Scripture tells us joy the Spirit produces is …

• Integral to the kingdom of God - Romans 14:7
• A gift from God, closely related to our faith and hope - Romans 15:13
• A blessing to sustain us in times of persecution - I Thessalonians 1:6
• Described as “inexpressible and full of glory” - I Peter 1:6-8

We are to delight in the law of the Lord

• Psalms 1
  • Psalms 1:2 - We should delight in meditating on God’s law.
• Psalms 119 - The “joy in scripture” key verses
  • All over this chapter, it describes so many ways scripture brings about joy in our lives.
  • A reference is made to God’s word in nearly every verse: “law,” “testimonies,” “precepts,” “statutes,” judgments,” “commandments,” etc.
  • Psalms 119:1-8
  • Psalms 119:41-48
  • Psalms 119:97-104
  • Psalms 119:129-136

Introduction

• Mark 5:1-20
• Mark 3:22-24 - Satan is the ruler of the demons.
• Luke 4:33-37, 41 - The demons certainly knew who Jesus was!
• II Peter 2:4

What we do not know about demons

• We do not have clear teaching in the Bible about the origin of demons.
• We also do not know why God allowed demon possession. Possibly this was so that Jesus and the apostles could display the power of God when those demons were cast out.
• Demon possession in the New Testament could not be faked!

What we DO know about demons

• Jesus was clearly superior - James 2:19

Don’t mistake restraint for weakness

• Mark 5:17 - The demons asked Jesus to leave and He did!
• John 1:1-3 - Jesus is the Creator.
• John 1:10
• Jesus could have done many things that He chose not to do.
• Matthew 26:53; 27:39-44
• Jesus is in Heaven and it will be different in the end. II Thessalonians 1:7

Don’t be too afraid to make the right choice

• Mark 5:14
• Acts 5:10-16 - The people were also afraid, but didn’t ask the apostles to leave. Instead, faith spread.
• How do we deal with fear?

Be eager to talk about Jesus

• Mark 5:18-20
• What has Jesus done for us? We should be excited to talk about Him.

Acts 2 - the big picture

• Acts 2:16 - “this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel”
• Acts 2:22-36 - “This Jesus of Nazareth … Lord and Messiah”
• Acts 2:24 - “God raised Him up”
• Acts 2:25 - “For David says of Him”
• Acts 2:38 - “Repent and be baptized”
• Acts 2:41-47 - “3,000 people … fellowship … meeting … saved”

Acts 2, continued

Acts 2:19-21 - Peter’s connection to Joel

• Acts 2:15 - See I Thessalonians 5:7.
• Acts 2:17 - “in the last days … I will pour out my Spirit on all people”

• Acts 2:19-20 - Compare language in Isaiah 13:6, 9, 10-13; Isaiah 19; Isaiah 34; Jeremiah 4; Ezekiel 30; Ezekiel 32; Joel 2:31. This is common figurative language when there were enormous changes in the world. It should not be taken literally.
• Acts 2:21 - See Matthew 7:21. “Calling on the name of the Lord” involves action - not just words. It is turning oneself to the Lord.

Acts 2:22-36 - Jesus arose as David had prophesied

• Acts 2:23 - The “lawless people” here were the Romans.
• Acts 2:24 - Peter is directly contradicting the false rumors.
• Acts 2:25 - This is a reference to Psalms 16:8-11.
• Acts 2:30 - See II Samuel 7:12-16 - This had dual fulfillment in Solomon and Jesus.
• Acts 2:33 - Translations vary a little here: “promise of the Holy Spirit” vs. “the promised Holy Spirit.” See John 15:26.
• Acts 2:34-35 - This is the same passage Jesus used to stump the Pharisees in Matthew 22.

Acts 2:37-41 - Call to obedience

• Acts 2:38 - The word “for” is from the Greek eis, which always points forward. Baptism is so that your sins will be forgiven - not because your sins have already been forgiven. Many were baptized, but only the apostles were doing miracles, so the gift of the Holy Spirit could not be referring to the ability to work miracles.
• Acts 2:39 - “far off” - In Ephesians 2, this is used to mean Gentiles, which Peter surely did not understand when he said it at Pentecost. He had to be convinced of its full meaning in Acts 10.

Introduction

• The same situation can be seen in many different ways.

Israel’s journey

• Exodus from Egypt
• Journey to Sinai
• Israel reaches Elim (Exodus 16:1)
• Departing Sinai to Paran (Numbers 10:11-12)
• Three day journey towards Paran (Numbers 10:33)

Israel’s spiritual journey

• Doubt in deliverance (Exodus 14:11-12)
• Complaint (Exodus 16:2-3)
• More complaint (Exodus 17:1-3)
• Impatience and idolatry (Exodus 32:1)

Turning to us

• Society seems to complain about everything: service, prices, things we have, etc.

A complaining generation:

• Does that describe the Israel in the wilderness?
• Or, does that describe you?

A framework to help us avoid this

• Zoom out
  • Numbers 11:1 - The people complain
  • Exodus 2:23-25; 3:7 - Israel wanted to leave
  • Exodus 16:1-4 - Not a new complaint
• Remember God
  • Numbers 11:2 - Moses appeals to God
  • Matthew 7:7; Philippians 4:6-7 - The concept of “asking” God
  • By going to God, you are seeking help from the One who knows you better than anyone!
• Chew on it
  • Numbers 11:4 - Israel continues their cry
  • Numbers 11:5-6 - Israel reminisces over Egypt
  • Hebrews 10:28-29 - How we may view Jesus’ sacrifice
  • James 1:2-3 - A Christian’s attitude during trials
  • Is what I’m going through bad enough to warrant sin? Complaint is sin.

Questions to ask yourself

• Am I miserable to be around when things aren’t going right?
• When something goes wrong, who do I go to first?
• Do I complain about things that I ask for?
• Do I ever count my blessings?
• Am I always looking for more?

What did Israel’s complaining accomplish?

• The children of Israel’s overall attitude of compaling and discontent led to:
  • Sin
  • An extra 38 years in the wilderness (40 total)
  • Them never entering the promise land

Again: A complaining generation:

• Does that describe the Israel in the wilderness?
• Or, does that describe you?

Introduction

• What is joy?
• What brings joy?

How does Job relate to joy?

• Job 42:1-6 - Despite Job’s losses, he rejoices in the knowledge and understanding he gained through the experience.
• James 1:2-4 - Count it joy when you meet various trials.

What robs us of joy?

• We must focus on joy and use that to steady us in times of trouble.

Where did David find joy?

• David was a man after God’s own heart and looked to God’s word for many things.
• Psalms 119:12-16 - David delighted in God’s word!
• II Timothy 3:16-17 - We should be people that are in God’s word. It will bring us joy!

Do we see emotion in God?

• Joy is an internal condition. It is based on faith.
• Jesus was sorrowful before His crucifixion, but He withstood it because of the joy to come.
• We can have other emotions, but still have the same internal joy.

Contentment

• Solomon experienced so much, but only had true joy when he was right with God.
• Galatians 5:19-25
• Philippians 4:4-8 - Rejoice always!
• Is our joy evident to others?