Message by Josh Mutter – July 13, 2025
BIG IDEA: Joy is an antidote to regret because it shifts our focus from what was lost to what remains true.
Galatians 5:22-23a (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Looking Ahead:
- Joy is rooted in relationship, not circumstance.
- Joy is a choice of faith when life feels uncertain.
- Joy gives strength when life is hard.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV) Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.
Acts 16:25-34 (NIV) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Philippians 4:4 (NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.
- Joy begins to grow when we focus on God’s character, not our circumstances.
- Joy grows as we stay aware of God’s presence, even in the middle of ordinary life.
- Joy takes root when we choose gratitude, even in the middle of what’s hard.
You can listen to the sermon on YouTube here.
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