Joy: the delight of the soul

1 Thess 1:4-6

• Sure sign of God's love at work in us (v.4)
• Instrument was the Gospel message (v.5)
• Result is transformation (v6, 9-10)

Meditation on Joy

• Memory
  • Rehearse the Gospel story
  • Recount the Goodness of God
• Surprise
  • Impacted by unexpected generosity
• Connection
  • Shared moment that cultivates relationship
  • Hint of the unconquerable connection that we taste now but is fulfilled later (Rom 8:37-39)
• Beauty
  • Sensory inputs that animate our delight of soul (music, nature, etc.)
  • Points to what is delightful and beyond us
• Help
  • Puts purpose in our lives
  • Multiple expressions of this help
  • Jesus wasn't joking! (Acts 20:35)

Outcome of Joy is a contagious life

1 Thess 1:6-10

• Joy and trials are not incongruent (v.6)
• Generational imact (biologically and spiritually) of the Kingdom (v.7-8)