Count it all joy
Are you happy?
Happiness is gauged by a meter.
Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
? I. What is Joy to a Believer?
• Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness is based on what happens to me; joy is based on what Christ has done in me.
• Joy is a deep-rooted confidence in God, regardless of outward circumstances.
• Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
HAPPINESS is not a Fruit of the Spirit.
• A believer’s joy flows from relationship, not results.
• We are not joyful for trials, but we can be joyful in trials because God is at work.
⸻
? II. “Count it All Joy” – Joy in Trials (James 1:2-4)
James 1: 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Key Phrase: “Count it all joy…”
Meaning:
• “Count” = to evaluate or consider.
• Temptations and trials are tools, not torture.
“Count it all joy”
When you lose everything.
When you’re left for dead.
When you fall flat on your face.
My joy isn’t based on your circumstances
My joy is not based on man’s approval.
• Jesus wasn’t happy on the cross, but He had joy, because He saw the outcome.
Why Joy?
• Trials develop patience, character, and spiritual maturity.
• Joy doesn’t come from the trial, but from trusting God in it.
What about being pregnant if fun? - But the result is amazing.
? III. “The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength”
Nehemiah 8:10 “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
People say to me all the time “You are the strongest man I’ve ever known”
No! I’m weak, I’m broken, I’m lost BUT THE JOY of the Lord is my strength!
? IV. “Restore to Me the Joy of Your Salvation”
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
• David is repenting after sin with Bathsheba.
• He didn’t lose salvation—he lost the joy that comes from walking in righteousness.
Meaning:
• Joy is tied to closeness with God.
• Unrepentant sin robs us of joy, but restoration is possible through repentance.
• If you’ve lost joy, you don’t need a new life—you need to reconnect with the Giver of life.
⸻
? V. Walking in Joy Daily
Practical Habits That Fuel Joy:
1. Stay in the Word – Joy is found in the truth (John 15:11).
2. Stay in Worship – Worship lifts your eyes from your pain to His promises.
3. Stay in Community – Joy multiplies when shared with others (Philippians 2:2).
4. Stay in Prayer – Prayer aligns your heart with God’s, and joy flows from intimacy
Happiness is a moment. Joy is a mindset.
You might cry and still have joy.
You might feel weary and still have joy.
You might lose everything—and still have joy—because joy is Jesus.
There is a difference in “Pain with purpose” and “Pain without purpose”.
Joy is a focus before it’s a feeling.
Your refrigerator can be full and you not be happy
You’re A/C might be blowing colder than ever, you not be happy
The older brother in the story of the prodigal son wasn’t in the pit, wasn’t eating pig slop, he was home, but he wasn’t happy.
What is your normal?
Negative, chaos, drama
The joy of the Lord is your strength
People say I love you with all my heart.
The heart is deceitfully wicked. According to Jeremiah.
Happiness is gauged by a meter.
Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
? I. What is Joy to a Believer?
• Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness is based on what happens to me; joy is based on what Christ has done in me.
• Joy is a deep-rooted confidence in God, regardless of outward circumstances.
• Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
HAPPINESS is not a Fruit of the Spirit.
• A believer’s joy flows from relationship, not results.
• We are not joyful for trials, but we can be joyful in trials because God is at work.
⸻
? II. “Count it All Joy” – Joy in Trials (James 1:2-4)
James 1: 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Key Phrase: “Count it all joy…”
Meaning:
• “Count” = to evaluate or consider.
• Temptations and trials are tools, not torture.
“Count it all joy”
When you lose everything.
When you’re left for dead.
When you fall flat on your face.
My joy isn’t based on your circumstances
My joy is not based on man’s approval.
• Jesus wasn’t happy on the cross, but He had joy, because He saw the outcome.
Why Joy?
• Trials develop patience, character, and spiritual maturity.
• Joy doesn’t come from the trial, but from trusting God in it.
What about being pregnant if fun? - But the result is amazing.
? III. “The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength”
Nehemiah 8:10 “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
People say to me all the time “You are the strongest man I’ve ever known”
No! I’m weak, I’m broken, I’m lost BUT THE JOY of the Lord is my strength!
? IV. “Restore to Me the Joy of Your Salvation”
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
• David is repenting after sin with Bathsheba.
• He didn’t lose salvation—he lost the joy that comes from walking in righteousness.
Meaning:
• Joy is tied to closeness with God.
• Unrepentant sin robs us of joy, but restoration is possible through repentance.
• If you’ve lost joy, you don’t need a new life—you need to reconnect with the Giver of life.
⸻
? V. Walking in Joy Daily
Practical Habits That Fuel Joy:
1. Stay in the Word – Joy is found in the truth (John 15:11).
2. Stay in Worship – Worship lifts your eyes from your pain to His promises.
3. Stay in Community – Joy multiplies when shared with others (Philippians 2:2).
4. Stay in Prayer – Prayer aligns your heart with God’s, and joy flows from intimacy
Happiness is a moment. Joy is a mindset.
You might cry and still have joy.
You might feel weary and still have joy.
You might lose everything—and still have joy—because joy is Jesus.
There is a difference in “Pain with purpose” and “Pain without purpose”.
Joy is a focus before it’s a feeling.
Your refrigerator can be full and you not be happy
You’re A/C might be blowing colder than ever, you not be happy
The older brother in the story of the prodigal son wasn’t in the pit, wasn’t eating pig slop, he was home, but he wasn’t happy.
What is your normal?
Negative, chaos, drama
The joy of the Lord is your strength
People say I love you with all my heart.
The heart is deceitfully wicked. According to Jeremiah.
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