Scriptures, Songs, and Saints – Joy
Dawn lead our church in “Scriptures, Songs, and Saints” this month, on the topic of joy.
Joy – Scriptures, Songs, & Saints – September 2025
John Piper – “Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as He causes us to see the beauty of Christ, in the word and the world.”
Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Psalm 16:11 – “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”
Song: Bless His Name
C. S. Lewis – “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
Song: Oh, Our Lord
John 15:6-11 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Luke 2:10 – “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.'”
Psalm 16:11 – “there is fullness of joy in [God’s] presence.”
A Theology of Joy (John Ashma) – “Joy in life’s happiness motivates us to be dissatisfied in things or actions that work against this joy. And grief over the absurdities in life is nothing other than an ardent longing for life’s liberation to happiness and joy.”
Psalm 95:1 – “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.”
Psalm 100:1-2 – “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.”
1 Peter 1:8 – “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”
Song: God with Us
Song: Our God Reigns
Mother Teresa – “Joy is prayer; joy is strength; joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.”
A Theology of Joy (John Ashman) – “The joy of our salvation is one of the greatest sources of joy we can experience. Knowing that we are redeemed and loved by God fills our hearts with an indescribable joy that can’t be taken away. Salvation is a gift freely given, and recognizing the depth of that love can ignite a flame of joy within us. As we reflect on our salvation, we grow in our appreciation for God’s grace and mercy, allowing our hearts to overflow with gratitude and worship. When we share this joy with others, we invite them to experience the beauty of God’s saving love, too.”
C.S. Lewis – “If you want to know how I felt, imagine your own feelings on waking one morning to find that income tax or unrequited love had somehow vanished from the world.”
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life”
Luke 10:20 – “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 15:10 – “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Song: Take Heart
Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati – “The end for which we are created invites us to walk a road that is surely sown with a lot of thorns, but it is not sad, through even the sorrow, it is illuminated by joy.”
James 1:2-4 – “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Nehemiah 8:10b – “Do not be grieved for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
1 Thessalonians 1:6 – “in spite of persecution, you received the Word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
John 16:22 – “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”
COMMUNION
Song: What Joy is Found
Song: Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul
A Theology of Joy (John Ashman) – “Embracing gratitude is a powerful way to unlock the joy of the Lord in our lives. When we choose to focus on our blessings, we shift our perspective from what we lack to what we have. Gratitude helps us recognize the hand of God in both the large and small details of our lives, fostering a spirit of joy that transcends circumstances. By regularly giving thanks, we align our hearts with God’s goodness and faithfulness, letting His joy fill our souls. The practice of gratitude encourages us to share the joy of the Lord with others and inspires hope in the world around us.”
Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.”
Acts 2:28 – “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”
Song: Gratitude
A Theology of Joy (John Ashman) – “As believers, we are called to experience joy not only individually but also in community with others. The joy of the Lord multiplies when we gather in fellowship and support one another in faith. Connection with like-minded individuals strengthens our spirits and encourages us to share our joys and burdens. In times of celebration, we can uplift each other, and even in sorrow, we find comfort in knowing that we are not alone. The joy of the Lord grows exponentially when we cultivate our relationships, reminding us that we are all part of God’s family.”
John 15:12-13 – “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Philippians 1:3-5 – “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel.”
Ephesians 5:19 – “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart”
St Philip Neri – “Uprightness and virtue do have their rewards, in self-respect and in respect from others, and it is easy to find ourselves aiming for the result rather than the cause. Let us aim for joy, rather than respectability. Let us make fools of ourselves from time to time, and thus see ourselves, for a moment, as the all-wise God sees us.”
Song: This is the Day that the Lord Hath Made
Song: I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy
Song: He Gives Me Beauty for Ashes
A Theology of Joy (John Ashman) – “In a world where temporary happiness often takes precedence, the lasting joy of the Lord stands firm. This joy does not fade when life challenges come our way; instead, it grows stronger as we trust in God’s promises. By placing our faith in Him, we gain an unshakeable foundation for our joy. We are reminded that our joy is not dependent on fleeting moments but is rooted in the eternal love and goodness of our Savior. This lasting joy is something we can carry with us throughout our lives, comforting us in our struggles and propelling us to share that joy with others.”
M. D. Roberson – “Joy will last because it was from the beginning within the Trinity.”
Acts 13:52 – “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 25:21, 23 – “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”
Revelation 21:1-5 – “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’ And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also, he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’
Song: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You
Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
St. Francis of Assisi – “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.”
