The fruit of the spirit is.. .joy
William MacDonald teaches that true Christian joy is a fruit of the Spirit rooted in a relationship with the Lord, transcending circumstances, suffering, and sorrow but incompatible with sin.
In this sermon, William MacDonald explores the profound nature of Christian joy as the fruit of the Spirit. He explains that true joy is not dependent on favorable circumstances but flows from a deep relationship with the Lord and His promises. MacDonald highlights how joy can coexist with suffering and sorrow, yet is incompatible with sin, encouraging believers to grow in spiritual maturity and rejoice in the Lord regardless of life’s trials.
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“The fruit of the spirit is.. .joy.” (Gal. 5:22)
Man never finds real joy till he finds the Lord. Then he enters in to what Peter calls “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Pet. 1:8).
Anyone can rejoice when circumstances are favorable, but the joy which is the fruit of the Spirit is not the result of earthly circumstances. It springs from our relationship to the Lord and from the precious promises He has given to us. Christ would have to be dethroned before the Church could be finally robbed of its joy.
Christian joy can coexist with suffering. Paul weds the two when he speaks of “all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Col. 1:11). The Thessalonian saints had received the word “in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost” (1 Th. 1:6). Suffering saints down through the centuries have testified how the Lord has given them songs in the night.
Joy can coexist with sorrow. The believer can stand by the grave of a loved one, shed tears of sorrow at the loss, yet rejoice at the knowledge that the loved one is in the presence of the Lord.
But joy cannot coexist with sin. Whenever a Christian sins, he loses his song. Not until he confesses and forsakes that sin is the joy of his salvation restored.
The Lord Jesus told His disciples to rejoice when they were reviled, persecuted and falsely accused (Mt. 5:11, 12). And they did! Not many years later we read of them leaving the courtroom, “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41).
Our joy increases as we grow in the knowledge of the Lord. At first, perhaps, we can rejoice in minor irritations, chronic ailments and trivial inconveniences. But the Spirit of God wishes to bring us to the point where we can see God when circumstances are at their worst and rejoice in the knowledge that His way is perfect. We are spiritually mature when we can say with Habakkuk, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Hab. 3:17, 18).
Sermon Outline
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I. The Source of True Joy
- Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, not dependent on circumstances
- Joy springs from a relationship with the Lord and His promises
- Man finds real joy only in the Lord
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II. Joy in the Midst of Suffering and Sorrow
- Christian joy can coexist with suffering and affliction
- Joy is present even when facing loss and sorrow
- Examples from Paul and early church demonstrate joy despite trials
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III. The Incompatibility of Joy and Sin
- Sin robs the believer of joy
- Joy is restored through confession and repentance
- Maintaining joy requires holiness
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IV. Growing in Joy through Spiritual Maturity
- Joy increases as knowledge of the Lord grows
- Mature believers rejoice even in adverse circumstances
- Habakkuk’s example of rejoicing despite hardship
Key Quotes
“Man never finds real joy till he finds the Lord.” — William MacDonald
“Christian joy can coexist with suffering.” — William MacDonald
“Joy cannot coexist with sin. Whenever a Christian sins, he loses his song.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Cultivate your relationship with the Lord to experience true joy beyond circumstances.
- Embrace joy even in suffering by trusting God’s promises and presence.
- Confess and forsake sin promptly to restore the joy of your salvation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fruit of the Spirit?
The fruit of the Spirit refers to the qualities produced in a believer’s life by the Holy Spirit, including joy, love, peace, and others as described in Galatians 5:22-23.
Can Christians have joy even when suffering?
Yes, Christian joy can coexist with suffering because it is rooted in faith and the promises of God, not in external circumstances.
Why does sin affect a believer’s joy?
Sin disrupts a believer’s fellowship with God and robs them of the joy of salvation until they confess and repent.
How can I grow in spiritual joy?
Spiritual joy grows as you deepen your relationship with the Lord, trust His promises, and mature in faith, learning to rejoice even in difficult times.
What does it mean to have 'joy unspeakable and full of glory'?
It means experiencing a profound, overwhelming joy given by the Holy Spirit that transcends human understanding and circumstances.