Joyful Beginnings

Iowa Connections

Untitled Slide

Iowa Connect

Bible Study

Old Testament "Joy"

• "To circle around"
• Rejoicing at God's work & attributes
• Aims at outward expression

New Testament "Joy"

• More than matter of mood
• Joy in suffering & persecution Mt. 5:11f
• Realization of freedom takes form of fellowship Rom.12:15
• Tied to work as apostle Gal. 5:22
• Reciprocal Phil. 2:28

The Confessions "Joy"

• After we are justified we begin to:
• fear & love God
• pray & expect His help
• thank & praise Him
• submit to Him in afflictions
• love our neighbor

Luther "Joy"

• "Play our Lord Christ a song"
• Christ spreads His garment of righteousness to cover us
• "God wants us to be cheerful"
• "You have as much laughter as you have faith"

Walther from Law & Gospel "Joy"

• "They did not have enough Gospel preached to them."
• "Helpers of Christians' joy"

C.S. Lewis "Joy"

• "Deep-seated longing for something this is supremely desirable."
• "Joy is the serious business of heaven."
• "To be in perfect love with God--drunk with, drowned in, dissolved by, that delight."

Bonhoeffer "Joy"

• "Physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer."
• Jesus is near.
• Church is community of joy.
• God's joy in us.

The Gospel of Luke

• Gospel of Joy!
• Jesus' life as a journey
• Begins at Temple 1:8
• Child in the Temple 2:22 & 2:41
• Ministry in Galilee & Jerusalem
• Teaching at the Temple 19:45-21:38
• Ends at the Temple 24:53

Law & Gospel Themes in Luke

• The lost - The found
• Mighty brought low - Humble exalted
• Destruction of temple - God's presence in the temple
• Repentence - Promises fulfilled
• All to pray - Call of the Gentiles

Joy Themes in Luke

• Finding what is lost 15:5f
• Name is written in heaven 10:20
• Joy at acts of Jesus 13:17-19:6
• Beginning of the age of the Church Acts 8:8;13:52;15:3;20:24

Joy Verses in Luke

Joy Verses

• Angel 1:14
• Jesus 6:23;8:13;15:7
• The seventy-two 10:17
• Disciples 24:41;24:52

Summary

• Joy is a gift from God
• Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit to be lived out, expressed & shared with others in words & actions

Go in Peace & Joy