UNSTOPPABLE JOY

Philippians 4:4 (NKJV) – “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

Philippians 4:4 (NLT) – “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!”

Isaiah 61:3 – “...to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for morning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...”

Nehemiah 8:10b – “For the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

John 15:11 (NKJV) – “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Psalm 46:4a – “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God.”

I’VE GOT A RIVER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE INSIDE OF ME!

John 7:38 (NKJV) – “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

The Holy Spirit wants to help us live in the river of His joy every day!

1. WALK IN OBEDIENCE

Acts 16:6 (NKJV) – “Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the Word in Asia.”

Acts 16:7 (NKJV) – “After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.”

Acts 16:9 (NKJV) – “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man from Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’”

Acts 16:10 (NKJV) – “Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the Gospel to them.”

The Holy Spirit is looking for people who will hear and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV) – “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

2. RESIST THE ENEMY

John 10:10a (NKJV) – “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.”

Acts 16:18b (NKJV) – “I command you in the Name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out that very hour.”

Mark 16:17 (NKJV) – “And these signs shall follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons.”

Cast out – throw out, expel, evict, command to leave

James 4:7 (NKJV) – “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

3. MAKE PRAISE YOUR PORTION

Acts 16:23 (NKJV) – “And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.”

Acts 16:24 (NKJV) – “Having received such a charge, he put them in the inner prison, and fastened their feet in stocks.”

Acts 16:25b (NASB) – “Now about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God.”

Psalm 22:3 (NKJV) – “But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.”

Acts 16:26 (NKJV) – “Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.”

Psalm 16:11b (NKJV) – “In Your Presence is fullness of joy...”

4. BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Acts 16:28 (NKJV) – “But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, ‘Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.’”

Acts 16:30 (NKJV) – “And he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’”

Acts 16:31 (NKJV) – “So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’”

Acts 16:34b (NLT) – “He and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.”

2 Chronicles 20:21b – “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.”

Psalm 107:1 (NKJV) – “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

Discussion Questions:

1. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being full and 1 being empty, how would you rate yourself in regard to living in the fullness of joy right now?

2. What are some of the things that are diminishing your joy?

3. What are some steps the Holy Spirit is inviting you to take to increase your joy?

4. Have you experienced the power of praise? Are you employing that weapon?

5. Is there a step of obedience the Lord is calling you to take? Are you willing to say yes?