Lost Joy?

The joy of the Lord is our strength. Nehemiah 8:10

If our strength comes from the "joy of the Lord," then where does the joy of the lord come from? We know it comes from the Lord but if we are not experiencing it, then why? We are Christians, right? If we have lost it, how can we find it? Many Christians are joyless today. Their constant prayer is that the lord would "return the joy of their salvation to them." While this is wise, we should always ask and pray, but is there something we are missing?

Many Christians are defeated with no joy…many times joy is not present because of sin, but what if the person isn't living a sinful life. They are tempting to be set apart and living a godly life. I believe many times joy is not present for mere disobedience. Overwhelming joy comes from seeing people saved, it isn't conjured up. American Christians are constantly being poured into with conferences and speakers but they are not being poured out. The "filling" they have had, has become stagnate, old, stale and leads to a joyless christian life. I believe they are missing the joy that is promised to them because they are not “going,” as Jesus commanded. Their Christians zeal, passion and enthusiasm is gone as a result of it.

Those who sow in tears

Shall reap in joy.

6 He who continually goes forth weeping,

Bearing seed for sowing,

Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,

Bringing his sheaves with him..

Psalm 126:6 

Read Luke 15
It talks about different types of lost souls.

1. The lost sheep
2. The lost coin
3. The lost son

The lost sheep shows the habit of the sinner and is an example of the sinner who is prone to wander. The lost coin shows the helplessness of the sinner, perhaps he is lost because of someone else’s neglect. The lost son shows the willfulness of the sinner, it is a picture of the backslider - the prodigal son left his father’s house with his eyes open and willingly.

We must be about our Fathers business, what is His business? It is the Great Commission and reaching the lost. Before Jesus ascended, he gave us the commission to go into all the world. He commanded us to preach to every living creature, make disciples and Baptize them. He also commanded us to teach them all that He has commanded. 

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

Well this is a difficult thing for a culture that doesn't want to be bothered. They want to go to church on Sundays and maybe Wednesdays if they are "radical,"(sarcasm intended).

And He said to them, 

“Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

Luke 2:49 

Jesus came for the lost, his mission was to set the captive free, that was and still is the Fathers business. He is the same yesterday, today and forever!

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed

Luke 4:18

Whatever makes heaven happy naturally makes us happy if we are born again because our citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20)!!

Again, joy comes from reaching the lost, take a look at the scriptures below...when the lost were found, joy was the result!!

Parable of the Lost Sheep
Luke 15:4-7 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

Parable of the Lost Coin
Luke 15:8-10 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”

Parable of the Lost Son
Luke 15:22-24 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

Today, if you are a joyless christian, let me encourage you to start reaching the lost. Be bold, courageous and fearless. Do what Jesus commanded. You don't need to know the bible you just need to know Jesus. We present Jesus not scripture. Stay focused on the harvest. keep your motives pure and be poured out for Jesus. Rip souls out of the hand of Satan and just watch how much joy comes flooding into your heart.