1. ‘Say it with fruit …’ (3)

2. Galatians 5:22-23

3. ‘the fruit is … joy’
‘Joy is the serious business of heaven.’ (C S Lewis)
more words in Hebrew than in any other language
Greek word is ‘chara’
‘Joy is love smiling.’
a feast, not a funeral
a life of delirious joy
joy is a grace we share with others

4. ‘the fruit is … joy’
‘Joy is the seasoning that tickles the taste buds of the unsaved.’
happiness depends on happenings
joy is not a fair-weather feeling
David in Psalm 16:11
Habakkuk in 3:17-18
James in 1:2

5. ‘the fruit is … joy’ our joy is in Jesus … our joy is Jesus
Psalm 51:12 – ‘restore … the joy of your salvation’
Nehemiah 8:10 – ‘the joy of the Lord is your strength’
example of prodigal son
‘The Christian should be a hallelujah from head to foot.’ (Augustine)

6. O Joy, that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain:
That morn shall tearless be.

7. ‘the fruit is … joy’ Paul was chained and cheerful
You can be joyful even though you are a Christian!