The Joy of The Kingdom of God! (expounded)

IMPORTANT! (If you read nothing else)
Make sure you scroll down and at least read the last three paragraphs of today’s “Current Family & Ministry News!”

The “Kingdom is Joy” (not just some Joy but full of Joy)!
Rom 14:17-18 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
-The Kingdom (Kings Realm) in NOT Flesh (Good or Bad flesh it isn’t flesh or even soul) Although if dealt with correctly it cannot help but restore/effect both of those things.

-Remember, we are triune beings:
Body (Flesh, old man, fallen nature) - Soul (mind, will and emotions) - Spirit (made alive upon salvation)
-Rom 14:17
then says the Kingdom is RIGHTEOUSNESS - Right standing with God and Man—achieved at the Cross!
Peace = Prosperity of our Spirit—a fruit of the Spirit,
The JOY = This is also a Fruit of the Spirit, All the Fruits of the Spirit are found in Kingdom Living!

Joy is not happiness, Happiness is a fruit of Joy, when Joy flows into the soul realm.
Happiness is often but should not always be based on circumstances.
Happiness defined is makarios; a prolonged form of the poetical makar:; supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off:

Comparison example for better understanding: Depression-Sadness vs. Joy-Happiness

Depression is a total work of the flesh; It is part of our fallen nature effected by sin, You may say that depression is chemical. I would agree that it often but not always is. Depression in and of ourselves in not an emotion but it effects our emotions/mind( soul) through extreme sadness. It is part of our sinful, fallen nature. Depression is the effects of an attack of an evil spirit upon our flesh. It is manifested spiritually and sometimes physically (chemically, acting out). Sadness is the effects on our soul (mind, will and emotions) due to circumstances. Sadness is often but not always the effects on our soul from our flesh being depressed in one degree or another.

Joy is a total work of the Spirit; It is the part of us without sin and made alive by Christ alone. Joy is not an emotion but it causes great emotion. You can have happiness without Joy but Happiness (blissful circumstances) doesn’t bring true Joy. Luke 10:21 says that your Joy is made complete in the Spirit. The truth, (Word of God) by the Spirit revealed, also brings true Joy. We are told to have Joy even in persecution and trials James 1:2. Joy of the Lord is our strength according to Ne 8:10. Joy is a fruit of living a Kingdom life / being led by the Spirit in all things.

Matt 6:31-34
31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

WHEN WE SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM:
Then we need not worry because the fruit of God’s Spirit begins to supernaturally take effect on our lives. As the fruit of the Kingdom grows it begins to manifest the will of God in our Soul and our Bodies. When we seek first the Kingdom of God, supernaturally God begins to take care of every need. Remember we gain access into the Kingdom by His righteousness gained for us at the cross. When we begin to live in the Kingdom (what are you waiting for) there is a Spiritual nature (supernatural/miraculous) that begins to take effect. It awaits each of us.

KINGDOM DIMENSIONS:
How deep can I go into the Kingdom? How High can I go in the Kingdom?

NO LIMITS!!!!!!!!!! God is Love (another fruit of the Kingdom) Eph 3:18

I am going to stop here but I can’t wait to preach Sunday. Be there if you can and if for some reason you can’t, the live Podcast and audio broadcast will be free as it is happening and available all week. There is nothing like being there. God is moving in our services. From the moment the prayer warriors gather before the meeting, through the alter call and the closing prayer. Don’t just show up, come jump in. The river is great! Let God be God in you this weekend!



Current Family & Ministry News: We had a wonderful (very FULL) day! It began with a field trip with Haley and ended with one of the greatest words of encouragement I have ever received.
I had the privilege of taking off the morning and going to a field trip with my lovely daughter Haley and her school. Normally Kristy would have went but she had a Dr. appointment for her and our baby (Maverick). This was the first one I missed but it was in full support of Kristy because she knew how important the field trip was. Kristy caught up with us after her appointment and both the field trip and the Doctor’s appointment we great. Kristy and I then ran two different directions running errands for a few hours. I then went to John and Becky wedding rehearsal. I am very excited for them, their big day is tomorrow and I wish them God’s best.
Then we rounded us, our kids and some from church then headed to Salem for a Concert with Matthew west, Jeremy Camp and Toby Mac. The kids totally loved it. Kristy and I saw literally hundreds of people we have known over the years. We hugged a lot of necks and had a fabulous time. One person stood out and encouraged me so very much.
A girl in her late teens or early twenties came up to me during the concert and asked if I remembered her. Her face seemed vaguely familiar. She told me that she had came to a Crossfire camp when she was in the seventh grade from Roseburg with a friend. She then told me that see accepted the Lord there and her life was changed forever. Her eyes started to tear up and she said that ever since then she has been living for God and going to Church. She said, “I try and watch you on TV every chance I get.” She said Jesus has changed my life through your ministry. She grabbed me by the neck and gave me a huge hug. I told her that she had encouraged me so very much. She said she was glad and told me her name was Danielle. The she said see had to go and disappeared into the crowd. Praise Jesus! Is all I can say. God’s hand is not shortened and he does amazing things. We need to all be very grateful that he can use us to work His miracles like he did in this girl’s life.
I then got everyone home safe and opened my email and received a request to preach in India, and another in Africa. Then I read this wonderful email from a young man serving our country in Afghanistan. He said that he had gotten my email from our website and that he had went to our Summer and Winter camps all through High school. He said he was trying to reach his fellow soldiers and as of right now he is the only Christian in his unit. He was asking for advice on how to reach them with the Gospel. Pray for me that my response would be anointed and help him in this very vital mission. To win the lost for Jesus! Thanks for you love, prayers and support, Pastor Aaron