New Year - New You! #3 JOY
2026 is a new year and our challenge is to be more like Jesus and less like the person we currently are. This is what the fruit of the Spirit is all about...not perfection, but progress. It's about what naturally begins to grow in us when we are walking cl
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Pick up a Harmony Study booklet on Sunday after church!
Our Bible Reading Plan for 2026 is a study of the life and ministry of Christ using the harmony of the gospels. The printed booklet, ready for pick up on Sunday, lists all the passages to be studied for the week along with 4 questions you can answer in your personal study or with your H.O.M.E. Group.
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg ([email protected]).
Our Bible Reading Plan for 2026 is a study of the life and ministry of Christ using the harmony of the gospels. The printed booklet, ready for pick up on Sunday, lists all the passages to be studied for the week along with 4 questions you can answer in your personal study or with your H.O.M.E. Group.
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg ([email protected]).
Sunday, February 8th - Donita Murphy
Monday, February 9th - Nick Van De Moortel, Carson McKay
Tuesday, February 10th - Terry Whitten
Wednesday, February 11th - Rachel Kuestner
Thursday, February 12th - Memphis Dykhouse
Monday, February 9th - Nick Van De Moortel, Carson McKay
Tuesday, February 10th - Terry Whitten
Wednesday, February 11th - Rachel Kuestner
Thursday, February 12th - Memphis Dykhouse
Cards
Our February and March series is called New Year - New You.
With the start of a New Year, many people think they are to tackle the Christian life like every other area of life; with personal resolutions and determined effort. But Scripture reveals something different. The Christian life is dependent upon God transforming our life and not just our whims, wishes, and willpower.
With the start of a New Year, many people think they are to tackle the Christian life like every other area of life; with personal resolutions and determined effort. But Scripture reveals something different. The Christian life is dependent upon God transforming our life and not just our whims, wishes, and willpower.
In looking at Galatians 5:16-26, we see that Paul starts this section with a warning and a list of the "works of the flesh" before getting into the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16-26
BSB
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,
21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.
17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,
21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.
BSB
Fruit of the Spirit vs. Desires of the Flesh
We are at war. We have two natures - the new you and the old you. Before Christ that struggle didn't exist but now we sense a war.
Romans 8:5-6
"I have the choice to rejoice."
We are at war. We have two natures - the new you and the old you. Before Christ that struggle didn't exist but now we sense a war.
Romans 8:5-6
"I have the choice to rejoice."
Romans 8:5-6
BSB
5 Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
6 The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,
6 The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,
BSB
The problem is that it's not always easy to be joyful. So many people think that joy and happiness is something to be pursured, not something to be grown.
Philippians 4:4
How do I stop pursuing happiness and grow joy?
Philippians 4:4
How do I stop pursuing happiness and grow joy?
Philippians 4:4
BSB
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
BSB
What is JOY?
Biblical joy is a supernatural contentment rooted in God’s character and promises, not circumstances.
This is where the battle comes in.
Our flesh wants to make joy about what pleases my flesh.
The Spirit wants to make joy about what pleases God.
Happiness depends on what happens; Biblical joy depends on who holds the future.
Biblical joy is a supernatural contentment rooted in God’s character and promises, not circumstances.
This is where the battle comes in.
Our flesh wants to make joy about what pleases my flesh.
The Spirit wants to make joy about what pleases God.
Happiness depends on what happens; Biblical joy depends on who holds the future.
Why can we JOY?
Romans 5:1-11
Romans 5:1-11
Romans 5:1-11
BSB
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
6 For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!
10 For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!
11 Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
6 For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!
10 For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!
11 Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
BSB
1. We can rejoice because our joy is anchored in hope. (FUTURE)
The world centers our hope and happiness on our self. The Bible centers our hope and joy on Christ alone and His future glory.
The world centers our hope and happiness on our self. The Bible centers our hope and joy on Christ alone and His future glory.
2. We can rejoice because God has a purpose in every situation. (PRESENT)
Do I rejoice in my sufferings? Do I rejoice because I know that God is using life's difficulties and Satan's attacks to lead me into a deeper relationship with Him?
We think, "When I get rid of my problems, then I'll be happy." Joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God in suffering. God is always with us!
James 1:2-3
John 16:33
Do I rejoice in my sufferings? Do I rejoice because I know that God is using life's difficulties and Satan's attacks to lead me into a deeper relationship with Him?
We think, "When I get rid of my problems, then I'll be happy." Joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God in suffering. God is always with us!
James 1:2-3
John 16:33
James 1:2-3
BSB
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
BSB
John 16:33
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33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
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3. We can rejoice because of the blood of Christ. (PAST)
Many times in Scripture a person is called to look back in order to move forward. We do this because God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. When we're struggling to move forward, we can look back and see where God was faithful again, and again, and again.
Some of us can't move forward and rejoice in the Good News, because we don't fully understand the bad news. We can't experience the fruit, because we don't understand the affects of the weed.
Colossians 1:13-14
All throughout Scripture, the greatest source of joy is when a sinner repents and believes. (Acts 8:8, 39; 16:34)
There is a unique kind of joy that only the Christian can experience.
Many times in Scripture a person is called to look back in order to move forward. We do this because God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. When we're struggling to move forward, we can look back and see where God was faithful again, and again, and again.
Some of us can't move forward and rejoice in the Good News, because we don't fully understand the bad news. We can't experience the fruit, because we don't understand the affects of the weed.
Colossians 1:13-14
All throughout Scripture, the greatest source of joy is when a sinner repents and believes. (Acts 8:8, 39; 16:34)
There is a unique kind of joy that only the Christian can experience.
Colossians 1:13-14
BSB
13 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
BSB
How can we JOY?
If joy is an essential feature of the life of Christians who are filled with the Holy Spirit and bear the fruit of the Spirit...why are so many missing joy?
If joy is an essential feature of the life of Christians who are filled with the Holy Spirit and bear the fruit of the Spirit...why are so many missing joy?
1. Choose Jesus.
1 Peter 1:8-9
1 Peter 1:8-9
1 Peter 1:8
BSB
8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
BSB
2. Let go of the sackcloth.
Psalm 30:11-12
Hebrews 12:1-2
Christians should have the most to rejoice in and be having the most fun!
Every difficult experience in life is a chance for us to have a pity party or to join the celebration of heaven.
Psalm 30:11-12
Hebrews 12:1-2
Christians should have the most to rejoice in and be having the most fun!
Every difficult experience in life is a chance for us to have a pity party or to join the celebration of heaven.
Psalms 30:11-12
BSB
11 You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever.
12 that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever.
BSB
Hebrews 12:1-2
BSB
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
BSB
3. Be a giver.
- of thanks
- of material possessions Acts 20:35b
- of your time
- of the Good News 1 Peter 3:15
- of thanks
- of material possessions Acts 20:35b
- of your time
- of the Good News 1 Peter 3:15
Acts 20:35
BSB
35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
BSB
1 Peter 3:15
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15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
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4. Choose JOY.
Choosing joy is choosing to rejoice in our sufferings and being grateful in good and bad times.
We have the choice to rejoice!
Choosing joy is choosing to rejoice in our sufferings and being grateful in good and bad times.
We have the choice to rejoice!
