Transcript: Finding Supernatural Joy Through the Power of the Holy Spirit

Music Music The title of our message today is called Reaching for Supernatural Joy, Given by the Power of the Holy Spirit. According to one of the Bible dictionaries, joy is said to be a positive attitude or pleasant emotion, a delight. And I'm reminded of a scripture in Romans chapter 15, verse 13, which incidentally hangs over our bed, and it declares, May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing through the experience of your faith that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing bubbling over with hope Well personally I have found this scripture to be so encouraging and comforting and yet so inspiring as a reminder that God is the God of hope and joy and peace which we will discuss in this word today Dear ones, our priceless Savior, Jesus Christ, is the very foundation on which our hope is built. And he is the builder and object of our hope, who kindly graces us with hope as we trust in him. Our part is to reach up and grasp a hold of it, because it is promised to us as children of the Almighty. How many ways could you say this? Our beloved Savior and Bridegroom is the author of our hope, our joy, and peace. Hope built on the physical realm with philosophical ideals, needless to say, is empty and will deceive those who are not redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ blood which brings hope to sinners and provides redemption from sin and fellowship with the Eternal Father As a suffering servant our Christ was an innocent and costly sacrifice for all of mankind when he willingly gave his precious life, which was shameful and most agonizing on the cross of Calvary as he hung naked and alone, all alone, on that dark, bleak day. But the good news, dear listener, is that Jesus and his heavenly Father's will and purpose was fulfilled when Christ's death and sacrifice provided redemption for millions upon millions of all the whomsoevers would bow their knee to him and repent of the sins and accept him as their Lord and Savior and commit their lives in obedience to him because, because they love him and want to please him in every way. Christ's death was an awesome demonstration of the divine love and righteousness of the triune God, which is poured out to poor lost sinners like you and me who need to know him as the God of hope and who provides supernatural joy and peace which is found in him alone Christ death now points to and provides a new relationship in God the Father and the realization and fulfillment of a new life in his Son. You see, hope is now built and fastened upon God, who alone provides the supernatural spiritual inspiration which causes people to focus on him as their object and author of hope. And this is so, in order that they might be fulfilled with all joy and peace in believing by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, just as our opening scripture states. Joy and peace are two of the great attributes in which the kingdom of God consists. Joy in God and peace in our conscience both arise from a sense of our justification in Christ. Did you hear that? Our justification in Christ, in the pronouncement that says, Did you notice?