2. BOTH THE FRUITS AND GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE NEEDED IN OUR HOMES.

a. The gifts and fruit of the Spirit are complementary, not in opposition, both are needed in our homes.
Power needs godly character to guide it; godly character needs Divine power and wisdom to meet the needs placed before it. We need both the Holy Spirit's gifts and His fruits to perform God's will, and live a Christ-like Christian life in our marriage relationships, our church life and Christian service. The fruit and gifts of the Spirit are complementary; and the life and ministry of Jesus shows this perfectly. At Nazareth, most people, including Christ's brothers and sisters, were antagonistic to His perfect prayerful life and godliness, and they were unwilling to believe in His ministry, because of their ingrained contemptuous hostility to His purity and holiness. Ps.69v7-21. Jn.7v5. Mk.3v21,31-35. 6v1-6. Jesus was despised, rejected and murdered by the envious religious leaders of Israel. Mk.2v5-7,16,23,24. 3v1,2. 15v10. In contrast to this was the almost total acceptance of Christ's ministry by ordinary people, when they saw the mighty signs and wonders that Jesus did. Mk.12v37. 1v26-28,45. 5v2-6,15,20,21. 6v32-34. etc. Bitter envy and jealousy moved Joseph's brothers to sell him into slavery, and Israel's religious leaders to oppose Jesus and His Church. Acts.7v9. 13v45. 17v5. James.3v14.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are the operations and acts of Divine love and compassion, God cannot deny Himself in our home situations, He is always available to give us Divine wisdom and guidance as well as miraculous power for protection and healing. God cannot help but manifest Himself in acts of Divine love in our homes, when we have need of His presence and power. God told Joseph and Mary to flee into Egypt BEFORE Herod's attempt upon the life of the infant Christ took place, and He told them when it was safe to return, and warned them not to live near Herod's evil son Archelaus. Mt.2v13-23. God gave a miracle child to the great woman of Shunem and raised her child from the dead; God told her where to go to avoid a famine, and when she returned home and went to the king to ask for the restoration of her property, the timing of her request was divinely inspired, she received an abundant provision from the king. 2Kings.4v8-37. 8v1-6. God is just as interested with our home circumstances and problems, as He is with our church situations. The gifts of the Holy Spirit produce character by revealing God; their manifestation by the early Church revolutionised the lives and homes of multitudes of people, they saw God, and their characters, lives and homes were changed as a result; their repentance brought real fruit in daily living.

b. The gifts of the Spirit will be perfected at Christ's coming.
The partial manifestation of spiritual gifts will be replaced by their complete and perfect manifestation at the coming of Christ. Our limited manifestation of the gifts will be swallowed up in the greater powers of the kingdom. We now experience in part the manifestation of the powers of the age to come. Heb.6v5. It is the exchange of the partial for the perfect. Those who say that the gifts have now been removed from the Church are in great error, the Spirit of God has come to abide with us for ever, and He will manifest His great and loving powers, in us, and through us for ever. Until the perfect day of our Lord's coming, we need both the Holy Spirit's gifts and fruits in our marriages.

3. THE CONFLICT IN THE SOUL BETWEEN THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT.

a. The body, "soma," and the flesh, "sarx."
The word "soma," "body," is used to speak of a living body, of both natural bodies, and celestial bodies; 1Cor.15v35-44.; and the Church as the body of Christ. 1Cor.12v12-27. Eph.1v23. 4v4,12,16. "Soma" is seldom used to speak of the evil desires of the body. Jesus said the whole body is full of darkness, when people's eyes and hearts are full of greedy ambition, love of worldly things, lust, and evil; but the whole body is full of bright shining light, when our hearts are single, "aplous," sound, healthy, clear. We cannot serve God and Mammon; serving Mammon destroys marital happiness, and causes breakdowns in marriage. Mt.6v19-24. Paul says people dishonour their bodies by sin; Rom.1v24.; and exhorts the Roman Christians not to allow sin to reign in their bodies. Rom.6v12. He tells us that sexual sin is a sin against our bodies; and our bodies are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1Cor.6v18-20. Paul instructs us to crucify and mortify the evil deeds of the body. Rom.8v13. Gal.5v24. James warns us that uncontrolled sinful use of the tongue defiles the whole body. James.3v6.

"Sarx," "flesh," is used, without any bad idea, to speak of mankind in general, "all flesh," Jn.17v2. Acts.2v17. Rom.3v20.; and of the bodies of beasts and men, 1Cor.15v39. However, it is also used to speak of the domination of the soul by the flesh in fallen mankind. Eph.2v1-3. 2Pet,2v18. The world is full of the lust of the flesh and eyes, and the pride of life. 1Jn.2v16. Those who allow the desires and biochemical functions of the body to dominate the soul, should realise that this minding of the flesh is hostile to God, and the Law of God. Paul states that those who live just to cater for the appetites and impulses of their fleshly nature, cannot please God; and will die spiritually and eternally. Rom.8v6-14. Paul states that all mankind has given way to the deceitful promises of the flesh, and experienced bondage to the flesh, the temptations arising from the flesh he describes as "sin in the flesh." Rom.7v9,17,18,23. 8v3. Paul also said that Christians who are dominated by the flesh are "carnal," "sarkikos," and said that divisions in the Church proved that those who caused them were carnal, "sarkikos," and spiritual babies. 1Cor.3v1-4. 2Cor.10v4. Peter warns us to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul.1Pet.2v11.

It is a wonderful fact that God the Word became flesh, out of pure love for us, and suffered and overcame the trials and temptations of true humanity. Jn.1v14. 1Jn.4v2,3. 2Jn.v7. 1Tim.3v16. Rom.1v4,5. 8v3. Heb.2v17,18. 4v15. 5v7. 10v5. Jesus was manifest in flesh, "sarx;" but He never allowed it to dominate Him, He was "in the likeness of sinful flesh," "en homoiomati sarkos hamartias," just as He was "in the likeness of men," "en homoiomati anthropon," the likeness was real. Phil.2v7. "Homoioma," occurs in Rom.1v23. 5v14. 6v5. 8v3. Phil.2v7. Rev.9v7. Jesus had a real humanity, not a false phantom humanity as the Docetic Gnostics taught. Jesus conquered the flesh that had contaminated and led all mankind into sin. Alford writes on Rom.8v3., "'in the likeness of the flesh of sin' (the flesh whose attribute and character was sin. The genitive is not 'hamartolou,' but implies far more-[not merely the contamination by, but] the belonging to and being possessed by."

The Expositor's Greek Testament gives light on Rom.8v3., here is a summary of its arguments. In Rom.8v3., "homoioma" emphasises our Lord's likeness to us, not His unlikeness; and what Paul means by "flesh of sin," is that God sent Jesus in that nature which in us is identified with sin. This was the "form" (and "homoioma," signifies "form" rather than "likeness") in which Jesus came amongst men. This does not deny Christ's sinlessness, which is an irrefutable fact in Paul's eyes. If anyone argues that it is a contradiction to declare that Christ was sinless, and say at the same time that He came in a nature which we identify with sin, we would answer that this identification does not belong to the essence of our nature, but to its corruption, and all the New Testament declares that Jesus is one with us-short of sin. The likeness of our Lord's limitations is the point which is here affirmed, and it is an essential and fundamental qualification of our redeeming Lord. End of summary.

Christ partook of human flesh, but did not partake of the sins of the flesh, His holy life condemned sin in the flesh and showed that it was possible to live in victory over the flesh. In Heb.2v16-18., we read that Jesus took on Him the seed of Abraham, and that it was a moral duty and necessity ("opheilen," the imperfect active indicative of "opheilo," "to be obligated"), for Him to be made in all points like unto His brethren, and suffer the same temptations, so that He could be our sympathetic High Priest. To be tempted in all points like we are, He had to be made in all points like as we are. Heb.2v17. with 4v15.

b. The way to conquer and crucify the works and desires of the flesh, is by receiving life in the spirit.
Paul exhorts us not to make any provision for the lusts of the flesh, Rom.13v14.; but to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit. 2Cor.7v1. The law of the spirit and life in Christ makes us free from the law of sin and death. Rom.8v1-4. Walking in the Spirit means that we shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh; and by the Spirit's power we are able to crucify the works of the flesh, and put off the sins of the flesh. Col.2v11. Gal.5v16,17,24. We are not to allow sin to reign in our bodies, but to use them as instruments of righteousness. Rom.6v6-23. Paul says that Christians are "spiritual," "pneumatikos," when they walk and live in the Spirit. 1Cor.2v15. 3v1. Gal.6v1. Our spiritual weapons are not "of the flesh," "sarkikos." 2Cor.10v4.

c. The conflict in the soul for the soul.
Two totally opposite forces seek to dominate the soul, and Gal.5v17. shows us that victory comes through the Spirit of God. Two forces lined up in conflict with one another, "allelois antikeitai," like trench warfare. When the Spirit of God dominates, moulds, and controls, it produces godly fruit of character. When the flesh dominates and controls, we find the evil works of the flesh. The domination of the Spirit produces life, the domination of the flesh produces corruption. Gal.6v8.

1. LOVE. "Agape."
We have already considered "agape" love in some detail in our study of 1Corinthians chapter 13, so we will not consider it at length here. God wants to fill our homes with "agape" love. God is love, perfect "agape" love, 1Jn.4v8., and the source of "agape" love. 2Cor.13v11. His love is "great love." Eph.2v4-7. Ex.34v6,7. Love is the supreme fruit, and therefore stands first. The greatest of these is love. 1Cor.13v13. Love is the fulfilling of the Law. Rom.13v10. 1Jn.2v9. Love includes all the other virtues, it is the perfect bond which binds all together, it is the thing that will keep our marriages intact and blessed. Col.3v14.

1. Christian thought and doctrine extended and transformed the meaning of "agape" love.
The Trinity redefined the use of "agape" love way beyond the narrow and limited thought of love of the heathen. The New Testament makes it an unconquerable, all-embracing, benevolence, it is used to describe the incomparable love of God.

2. Christian love has to do with an attitude of mind as well as a warmth of heart.
It is not a mere uncontrollable "falling in love," it is a loving of fallen people. It is a victory over enmity, hostility and loneliness. It is a love for enemies. This does not mean you feel the warmth that you have for your nearest and dearest, it is an unconquerable benevolence of mind, that wishes the unlovely and perverse well. It is opposite of the thought of Aristotle that love is for the lovely. Agape love is a gracious will as well as a loving heart, it is a benevolent mind, and not just an emotional reaction. Paul manifested this love, some suggest that Phil.1v8., can be translated, "I love you with the very love of Christ."

The totally different attitude of Greek and Christian thought in respect to caring love.
The Greek philosophers aimed at total self-sufficiency, and total independence of anything outside of themselves," and tried to find happiness and peace totally within themselves, "autarkeia." They tried to let nothing touch or effect them which happened to themselves or others, "apatheia." This is how they aimed to get serenity, peace of mind, and tranquillity. "ataraxia." All this is in striking contrast to the caring love of Christianity, Christian love cares.

Love alone is the source of Christian unity, fellowship, and stability in the Church and the home.
In Col.2v2., Paul speaks of us being, "Knit together in love." In Eph.5v2., Paul tells us to "Walk in love." Acts.1v14. In Col.3v14., Paul writes, "And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness." Acts.2v42-46. We are known to be His disciples by love. Jn.13v35. This applies to our home relationships, as well as in our Church relationships.

Love is a vital co-partner of faith in service to God and each other. Eph.1v15. 6v23. Col.1v4. 1Thes.1v3. 3v16. 2Thes.1v3.
In Gal.5v6., Faith which works by love, "works" is "energeo." Love energises faith, faith manifests itself through love. Let love make you slaves to each other. Gal.5v13. See Jn.13v15. 1Cor.9v12-22. 16v14. Love is the garment of service.

AGAPE LOVE AND TRUTH.
We must love the truth with an "agape" love. 2Thes.2v10. Love produces obedience to the truth, Jesus said in John.14v21., "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." We can experience a manifestation of Jesus and the Father in our homes, if we love and obey the truth, a truly wonderful promise. See Jn.14v15-17,21. In 2Thes.2v10-12., we read that those who perish do so because they do not love the truth, Antichrist and his followers are here named. The truth must be spoken in love. Eph.4v15. Some preachers like to hurt people with the truth, they enjoy whipping God's people, but that is the Devil's work. Jesus wept as He warned of the destruction of Jerusalem. Lk.19v41-44. Mt.23v37-39. In Mt.23v13-29. "woe," "ouai" means both "woe" and "alas," it is a lament, not the words of passionate anger, but the pain of heart-broken love, as we can see from Mt.23v37-39., "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often I desired to gather your children in the way a bird gathers her chicks, under her wings, and you would not. Behold your house is left unto you desolate." This was pain, real deep pain. See Lk.19v41-44.

THE AMAZING LOVE OF GOD. GOD IS LOVE. 2Cor.13v11.
God's love is totally undeserved. Rom.5v8. It is a great redeeming love and is full of mercy. Eph.2v4-7. It is a love for the whole world. Jn.3v16. It is a totally sacrificial amazing love. Jn.3v16. 1Jn.4v9,10. Gal.2v20. The Son of God who loved ME, and gave Himself for me. Eph.5v2. Rev.1v5. There is nothing He will not do for us. It is a transforming, disciplining, and sanctifying love. Heb.12v6. 2Thes.2v13. Rom.5v1-6. God's love is an inseparable eternal love, and through it we are more than conquerors. Rom.8v35-39. "Who shall separate us?" It is a surpassing love, which can only be fully understood by revelation. Eph.3v15-19. God's love causes Him great pain. Hos.11v8,9. "How can I give you up? - My heart --- within me My compassion grows warm and tender." Lk.19v41-44. This love can be in our homes and lives, and can make them a heaven upon earth. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to develop this greatest fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

GOD HAS INCLUDED US WITHIN THE SPHERE AND QUALITY OF THE LOVE OF THE TRINITY.
Jesus said that He had declared the Father's name to His disciples, "that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them." Jn.17v26. We are loved like God's dear Son. Col.1v13. with Jn.3v35. 10v17. 15v9. 17v23,24. "Agape" love can only be developed by abiding in the love of the Trinity. We must sit at the feet of Jesus, like Mary of Bethany. Jn.12v1-8.

CONCLUSION.
For people who are dealing with difficult, and possibly unconverted partners, remember "agape" love is not liking. You can love people without liking the way that they live. Lk.6v27,28. Jesus said that we should do good to our enemies, and love them, and pray for them. We are loved by God , and are indebted to His great love, let us manifest His love in our lives and homes. It is in the manifestation of our love to others, that our love for God is proved. In the fellowship of love, love is inspired. Through the contemplation of our Lord's life and love, we are changed. 2Cor.3v18. Faith and hope are great, but THE GREATEST IS LOVE. 1Cor.13v8. 14v1. It is our Lord's new commandment, let us obey it.. Jn.13v34,35.

2. JOY. "Chara." Strong 5479.

a. The Greek greeting, both written and spoken was "chairein," "joy be with you."
"Chairein" is the present infinitive of "chairo," it means, "joy be with you." "Chairein" was used by the Roman officer Claudius Lysias to Felix, when he wrote to him concerning Paul. Acts.23v26. Judas came to Jesus with the word "chaire," the present imperative of "chairo," which means, "rejoice." Judas kissed Jesus fervently, "katephilesen," the compound word means "to kiss fervently." What dreadful, hypocritical play acting, Judas kissed Jesus with murder in his heart. There is a great difference between the world's insincere greetings, and the greetings between members of Christ's Church.

b. The greetings of the churches has a much deeper meaning, than the greeting of the worldling.
In James.1v1. "Greetings," is "chairein," "joy be with you." In 2Cor.13v11. "Farewell," is "rejoice," "chairete," the present active imperative of "chairo," "to rejoice;" it means, "keep on rejoicing." In Acts.15v23., "Greeting," is "chairein," "joy be with you." God's joy can be manifested in us and in our homes and it should surprise and astonish the worldling.

c. The New Testament is full of joy, and God wants to fill our homes and marriages with joy.
The feminine noun "chara" occurs sixty times; it is derived from the verb "chairo," "to rejoice," which occurs seventy two times. "Chara," "joy," is from the same Greek root as "charis," grace; Christian joy springs from a life filled with the beauty of grace and love; joy come through serving others in love, and joy in people and God. 2John.v12. Joy can never be obtained through selfishness, things or possessions. Jesus said, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of things which he possesseth." Lk.12v15. The selfish person in the end destroys their own happiness; it is only by following the example of the totally unselfish dedicated love of God, that we can enjoy true and lasting heavenly joy.

d. The Spirit of God imparts His full joy to us, not solemn misery.
The joy that the Holy Spirit gives is much more than ordinary happiness; the word happiness comes from "hap," which means "chance, luck, or fortune; Christian joy does not depend on chance, luck, good fortune, pleasant circumstances, or the superficial, empty and transient pleasures of the world. It is a "joy unspeakable, and full of glory," the full joy of Heaven. 1Pet.1v11. "The kingdom of God is not in meat and drink; but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Rom.14v17. 15v13. God comes to impart His joy to us, and fill our homes with His joy. 1Thes.1v6.

e. Jesus has promised to give us His full joy.
Jesus said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be FULL." Jn.15v11. See 17v13. In 1Jn.1v1-4., the apostle John states that we can have a full joy through fellowship with the Father and the Lord Jesus. We are given the joy that angels enjoy, an everlasting joy, the joy of God. Is.35v10. Angels shout and sing for joy, and so can we. Job.38v4,7. Lk.15v7,10. Nothing and no one can take this joy from us. Jn.16v22. Our joy flows from God's love for us, and nothing can separate us from God's love. Rom.8v28-39. Christ's joy, like His peace, can fill our hearts even in the greatest of trials and difficulties. Paul and Silas were praying and continually singing after being severely beaten with rods, and being placed in stocks in the prison. Acts.16v22-25. 2Cor.7v4-6,13. 8v2. See Jn.16v20-24.

f. There is great joy in faith in God our Father and the Lord Jesus.
The joy of faith is a fact. Mt.13v20. 28v8. Jn.3v29. Lk.8v13. Phil.1v25. 1Pet.1v8,9. 1Jn.1v1-4. In Lk.2v10., "Chara," joy, is linked with "megas," "great;" in the angel's message of "good tidings of great joy." In Lk.24v52,53.; the disciples great joy over Christ's resurrection. In Acts.8v8., the converts at Samaria had great joy. In Acts.15v3., there was great joy over the conversion of the Gentiles. In 1Pet.1v6-8., "Chara" is linked with "agalliao," "to exult, to rejoice greatly," to speak of our exultation and unspeakable joy in Jesus, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." We will "rejoice exultantly at the revelation of His glory" at His second coming. 1Pet.4v13. Jesus will present us "in exceeding joy," "en agalliasei," to God our Father. Jude.v24. Joy in Jesus is part of Christian daily living. The Church is God's joy and exceeding treasure. We are "the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." Eph.1v18. God is the person who sells all to buy the field with the treasure in it. Mt.13v44.

1. THE FOUNDATION OF OUR JOY, IS JOY IN OUR LORD.

a. Joy in the birth, life and ministry of our Saviour.
In Lk.1v28., Gabriel said to Mary " "Be rejoicing ("chaire"), for you have been encompassed with favour." The angel said to the shepherds, in Lk.2v10,14., "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." The angel adds "and peace on earth and good will towards men;" which is the reading of the vast majority of texts; "goodwill towards men," is the nominative case "eudokia," showing that God's great good will is extended to all fallen mankind, just as the good news was in verse 10. The minority reading has the genitive case, "eudokias," and so reads, "peace among men of good will," this limits the boundless good will of God towards all of mankind, to a select group, and so it cannot be correct. Ps.78v41. David, in Ps.145v8,9., confirms that God's good will extends to all; "The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion: slow to anger, and of great mercy. THE LORD IS GOOD TO ALL: and His tender mercies are over ALL His works." The desire of God to show mercy is revealed in the ministry of Jesus, in His teaching and the countless manifestations of the healing mercy gifts of God. Multitudes found healing and forgiveness through Christ's ministry.

b. Joy in our resurrected conquering Lord.
Christ is our joy. Peter says in 1Pet.1v8., "in whom --- ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." When Jesus met the women after His resurrection, His first words to them were, "Rejoice," "chairete," the present imperative of "chairo," to rejoice, it can be translated as "Be rejoicing." Mt.28v9. This salutation is only used in the Gospels, Gabriel used it to greet Mary in Lk.1v28.; Christ's' enemies used it to mock Jesus in Mt.26v49. 27v29. Mk.15v18. and Jn.19v3.. The Church is God's joy and exceeding treasure. We are "the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." Eph.1v18. God is the person who sells all to buy the field with the treasure in it. Mt.13v44.

c. The joy imparted by the Gospel. Lk.15v5,7,9,10,25,32
The aim of the Gospel is to give men joy, there is joy in heaven over sinners repenting. Mt.18v13. There is joy in believing. Rom.15v13. The Samaritans had "great joy," when Philip preached the Gospel to them with signs and wonders. Acts.8v9. The Ethiopian Eunuch also went on his way rejoicing, after hearing the Gospel from Philip, and after witnessing Philip's supernatural transport. Acts,8v37-40.

2. THE JOY OF CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP.

a. The early Church was filled with a joy that was both attractive and triumphant.
The joy of true Christian fellowship and home life, is something that the world cannot comprehend. Phil.2v1,2. It is a foretaste of the joy and fellowship of the kingdom. Joy comes from people not possessions or things. Christian joy, like Christian peace, is much more than worldly happiness. Christian joy is "not as the world gives." It is the joy of God in the soul, it is an abounding joy. This joy comes from the Holy Spirit's presence and fullness. It is a triumph of Divine grace and power.

b. The joy of praise and worship together. "Rejoice ever more." 1Thes.5v16.
Even before Pentecost the disciples were continually praising God in the Temple, because their Lord and Saviour was alive and still with them. Lk.24v52,53. There was joy in the simple home fellowships of the early Church, around a simple meal. Acts.2v46. Joy in the singing of the Spirit-inspired psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Eph.5v18,19. Col.3v16. Through Jesus we should continually offer up a joyful sacrifice of praise, even the fruit of our lips. Heb.13v15.

3. THE JOY OF SERVICE.

a. Joy in God's acts of power.
The healing of the man at the beautiful gate shows the real joy in healing. Acts.3v8. The seventy returned with joy at the miracles God had done through them in the name of Jesus. Lk.10v17. Jesus directed them to rejoice more in the fact of their salvation; however, He also exults that God had given these Christian babies such great power and blessing. Lk.10v17-24. They were more privileged than the prophets. Our Lord also rejoiced over the ministry of the 12 apostles. Mt.11v25-27.

b. Joy in converts.
Jesus rejoiced with all of heaven over converts to the truth. Lk.15v1,5,7,9,10,32. Mt.18v13. Paul said his converts and flocks were his glory, crown and joy. Col.4v1. 1Thes.2v19,20. 3v9. Paul rejoiced and kept a prophetic eye upon his converts. Col.2v5. True joy springs out of relationships, out of people, not possessions. In 2Jnv4. And 3Jn.3,4., John rejoices that Christians and his "children," were walking in the truth. In Col.1v24., Paul rejoices in his suffering on the behalf of his converts and Christ, and rejoices that he completes what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ. Christian leaders will have to give an account of their charges at the judgement seat of Christ. Heb.13v17.

c. Joy in fulfilled answers to prayer together.
It is wonderful when we pray through for one another, and see God's exceeding more abundant answers. We are to ask and receive that our joy may be full. Jn.16v24. Lk.11v9-13. Eph.3v20. James.5v13-18. We should rejoice over all the wonderful answers from our generous heavenly Father, His interventions through friends, healings, circumstances, finances, etc..


d. Joy in fulfilling God's will and finishing the course planned for us.
In Acts.20v23,24. Paul said that he wanted to finish his course with joy. In Rom.15v32. Paul states his desire to come to the Romans "in joy," "en chara," "in the will of God." God wants us to fulfil our proper and godly ambitions.

4. THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH AND PROTECTING FORTRESS.

a. The joy of the Lord is an impregnable stronghold, let us defend our homes with it. Neh.8v10.
In Neh.8v10., the word for "strength" is "maoz," which means "fortress, stronghold, rock," as well as "strength." It speaks of an impregnable defence. This joy was received in joyful social fellowship, at a festival, in a love feast, as they ate a meal together. The same is true of the communion services of the early Church, they were feasts of love and joy. Paul and Jude condemn those who abused and spoilt the love and joy of these feasts. 1Cor.11v17-22,33,34. Jude.v12. Paul makes it clear that it was a simple meal, and gluttony was frowned upon and forbidden. The feast was in the joy and love of prayerful social fellowship and the presence of God, and in remembrance of our Lord's death and resurrection, not in the food.

b. The joy of the Lord triumphs even in persecution and trial.
Persecution could not break the spirit of the early Church, they rejoiced in the Lord. This joy was a fact in severe persecution, we read, "And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Ghost." Acts.13v50-52. The Thessalonians had joy in severe persecution. 1Thes.1v6. Paul and Silas sang for joy of heart in the stocks in prison, even after a terrible beating. Acts.16v19-26. "A broken spirit drieth the bones," so rejoice in God. Prov.17v22. We have a joy and peace that overcomes trial. Jn.16v33. Our trials can be a great blessing, even when they cause us to be in heaviness through manifold temptations. 1Pet.1v4-7. James.1v12. Paul said in 1Thes.5v16-18., "Always be joyful;" he lived his advice, for in 2Cor.7v4., he writes, "I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulations." Our joy in trial is derived from the presence and promises of our Lord; "I have spoken these things unto you that My joy may abide in you, and that your joy may be full." Jn.15v11.

d. The eternal joy and eternal joyful creativity of the kingdom of God.
The angels shared with God in the joy of creativity. Job.38v7. We will share in God's creative joys and pleasures for ever more. Ps.16v11. Eph.2v7. "That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." "The unsearchable riches of Christ." Eph.3v8. "Unsearchable" is "anexichniaston," from the privative "a" and "exichniazo," "to trace or track out;" it is only in Rom.11v33., where it speaks of the amazing untraceable wisdom and ways of God. Christ's riches and God's ways are inexhaustible and untraceable even to angels as well as men. Job.5v9. 9v10. Satan and his angels, evil men and sin are banished forever. There will be joy without pain or tears. Rev.21v1-8,27. Oh the beauty and the glory of that kingdom! Eternal joyful activity, no boredom, eternal creativity, eternal joy with God.

3. PEACE. "Eirene." Strong 1515.
Christian peace is not natural peace. It is Christ's peace, it is the peace that pervades all of heaven. Jn.14v27. It is a peace that passeth all understanding. Phil.4v7. When my father tried to gas my mother, brother and myself while we were upstairs in bed, God's angels and peace surrounded us. When my mother sat on the stairs for many nights over a period of about 2 years with my father threatening to kill her, God's peace sustained and surrounded her.

1. THE HEATHEN PHILOSOPHER'S FALSE IDEAS OF PEACE.
God emphatically states that the wicked cannot know peace; Is.48v22. 57v21.; and that they do not know the ways of peace. Rom.3v17. Is.59v7,8. The heathen Greek philosophers tried to find ways of peace without following and finding and following the true and living God. Their highest idea of peace falls far short of the Christian idea of peace. They sought for tranquillity, "ataraxia," and in their works several ideas occur which are quite contrary to the Christian idea of peace.

1. The elimination of desire. They said that human desires that brought one into conflict had to be taken away, and looked upon asceticism as the answer to obtaining tranquillity.

2. The elimination of emotion. They refused to have emotional ties with others, saying that if they did this peace was lost forever. Emotional sterility, apathy, and emotional unattachment, "apathes," was their idea of tranquillity and peace; and brought emotional famine, in the disguise of peace.

3. The elimination of concern for others. These philosophers tried to isolate themselves from people's problems. The Stoics taught that the idea of caring for anyone or anything was to be strangled before it was born. How dreadful!

4. The elimination of dependence upon others. They said that attainment of total self-sufficiency and self-dependence, was the way to tranquillity. Total independence of others, or anything, "autarkeia," and insulation from life, brought peace. Epicurus said that peace was, "absence of pain in the body, or trouble in the mind;" and he and his fellow philosophers said that this was attained by having a self-contained life without any dependence upon others, or care for others. These self-centred, selfish ideas of peace are totally different from the Old Testament ideas of peace, and far below the theology or reality of Christian experience. Unfortunately these ideas are still followed by many people today, but this kind of peace, is a false peace, and a false foundation that will not stand the storms and floods of life.

5.In our day it has come to mean the elimination of war. However, the peace that is the fruit of the Spirit, is much more than the absence of war, it is the peace that accompanies the all-pervading presence of God.

2. THE OLD TESTAMENT IDEAS OF PEACE.

a. "Shalom."
"Shalom" is derived from a root meaning wholeness, soundness and completeness, the thought of 3Jn.v2. and 1Thes.5v23.. Barclay says that "shalom" means "all the things that produce man's highest good." "Shalom" carries with it the thought of total peace and well-being of body, Ps.38v3.; soul, spirit and prosperity of circumstances, Job.15v21.

N.B. God's peace is accompanied by divine protecting power.
The blessing of peace that was given in Numb.6v22-27., caused divine power to operate on Israel's behalf, it was not a negative thing, it was a positive blessing and reality, which brought protection and health to the people of God. With prophets like Moses, Aaron and Miriam pronouncing the divinely ordained benediction of Numb.6v22-27., blessing was sure to follow. God kept His Word, even when the people of Israel were rebellious in the wilderness, there was not one feeble person among all their tribes, Ps.105v37., their clothes did not wear out, nor did their feet swell over a period of forty years. Deut.8v3-5. N.B.v4. Neh.9v14-21.

b. "Eirene."
In the Septuagint "eirene" describes a life which is serene and secure because of the protecting and enriching presence of God. David said he could sleep in peace because of God's safe-keeping. Ps.4v8. The Millennial kingdom will be secure and at peace, because Christ and His brethren will reign in righteousness, "the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." In Jer.29v11., "eirene is used in God's thoughts of good will and peace towards mankind. See also Is.54v10., God's covenant of peace is guaranteed to last like the mountains and the hills.

3. THE NEW TESTAMENT USAGE OF PEACE, "EIRENE."
Christian peace, "eirene" carries all the positive attributes that are seen in the divine "shalom;" they are yea and amen in Christ. 2Cor.1v20.

A. PEACE "EIRENE," IS USED IN GREETINGS WITH GRACE, "CHARIS."
The normal Jewish greeting was the Hebrew "shalom," but grace and peace is the greeting some New Testament epistles. Rom.1v7. 1Cor.1v3. 2Cor.1v2. Gal.1v3. Eph.1v2. Phil.1v2. Col.1v2. etc.. "Eirene" occurs 88 times in the New Testament, and occurs in every book. The first greeting of the risen Christ to His fearful apostles was "Peace be with you." Jn.20v19,21,26. Peace is Christ's gift. Jn.14v27. To the weeping women and the fearful men, the resurrected Lord Jesus gave His joy and peace. These greetings carried in them the power and grace of God, it was not the formal greeting of the unbeliever. The deep spirituality and dedicated prayer lives of the early Church brought real power and protection to the people of God. When "shalom" was used in invocation with the great name of God, it was just as effective under the new Christian covenant as it was under the covenant of the Law.

B. PEACE IS THE RESULT OF A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
The natural result of believing in Jesus is peace. Rom.5v1,10. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom.15v13. The God of hope fills us with all joy and peace in believing. Col.1v20. The blood of Christ has secured peace for us. God is called the God of peace six times. Rom.15v33. 16v20. Phil.4v9. 2Cor.13v11. 1Thes.5v23. Heb.13v20,21.

4. CHRISTIAN PEACE HAS TO BE JEALOUSLY GUARDED AND EARNESTLY KEPT.

a. In the Church. We are to strive to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Eph.4v3.
We are to seek peace and earnestly pursue it. 1Pet.3v11.
We need zeal to be found by Him in peace at His coming. 2Pet.3v4.
Peace is the basis of fellowship, "koinonia," and unity, "henotes." Eph.4v3. Churches can be miserable places when peace has gone through bickering. All can, and should be one, in Christ, whether Jew, Greek, slave, male or female. Gal3v28.

N. B. Be warned! Even the two greatest Missionaries of the Church had an angry dispute.
In Acts.15v36-40., we read that Paul and Barnabus had "a sharp contention" over John Mark; "sharp contention" is "paroxusmos," "a sharp fit of anger, sharp contention, angry dispute," our "paroxysm," only here and Heb.10v24.: it is derived from "paroxuno," "to sharpen," metaphorically, "to incite, to stir up." See Acts.17v16. Paul had an angry dispute with Barnabus, the very thing he wrote against in 1Cor.13v5.; "love is not provoked to anger." In Acts.15v37., we read that Barnabus had made up his mind to take Mark with him on their proposed missionary journey. In v38 we read, "But Paul kept on thinking it right and wise not to be taking along with them this one;" and refused to take Mark with them on their missionary journey. Paul said Mark was the one who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work." For "withdrew" Paul uses "apostanta," the aorist participle of "aphistemi," which means "to depart, to desert, to apostatise from;" indeed, it is our very word for "apostasy. Both of their minds were made up so they parted and their ministry together was severed asunder, "apochoristhenai." "to sever, to separate." Barnabus went off with his cousin Mark, and Paul departed with Silas. This is the last we see of Barnabus in the New Testament, except for a reference by Paul in 1Cor.9v6.. Barnabus earned his name, he was full of compassion and encouragement, a great and noble soul; he saved and developed Paul's ministry, and here he tries and succeeds to save the ministry of Mark. Mark made the grade, and both Peter and Paul recognised his valuable ministry. 1Pet.5v13. Col.4v10. 2Tim.4v11. Mark's lasting work is his Gospel, which is the ministry of Jesus through the eyes of Peter.

b. In the heart.
We can destroy our peace if we are not careful. God's peace is the sentry of the heart. Col.3v15. Let the peace of God rule, "brabeuo," arbitrate, umpire, guard, or govern, your hearts. Anything that destroys peace must be told to move on.
1. Against worry and worldly anxiety, and the pressures of life. Mt.6v7,8,25-34. Let us watch our ambitions; and learn to be content. Phil.4v11. 1Tim.6v8. Heb.13v5.
2. Against physical or mental weariness. Exhaustion, moods, negative attitudes, and hormones have to be carefully watched.
3. Against Satan's attacks.
4. Against carnality. The life that is dominated by the flesh cannot know peace.
5. Against sin. Peace can only be sustained by godly living. Rom.2v10. Peter wept bitterly when he denied Jesus; he speaks out of his own experience of the grace of God, when he prays for grace and peace to be multiplied to his hearers. 1Pet.1v1,2.
6. Over doubtful things. Rom.14.v1.

c. With all men.
We are to strive for peace with all men. Heb.12v14.
The wall of hostility is broken down between Jew and Gentile through Christ's death. Eph.2v14-17.

d. In the home and marital affairs.
In the home we must have Christ-like attitudes to each other; Eph.5v21-33. N.B. v25,33. 1Pet.3v7-9. God has called us to peace. 1Cor.7v15. Too much activity can destroy peace, as with the case of Mary and Martha. Lk.10v38-42.

e. Over God's will and guidance God's guidance has the following characteristics.
1. It will agree with and not contradict God's Word.
2. It will be confirmed by spiritual people in the body of Christ.
3. It will be confirmed by the Holy Spirit. God will guide us by deep inward conviction, vision, voice and prophecy, and confirm that guidance with His peace. God's peace will always confirm God's guidance.
4. It will agree with our circumstances.
5. It will make the best use of our talents and abilities.
6. It will be validated by good common sense. Ps.32v8,9.

CONCLUSION.

A. CHRISTIAN PEACE CAN ONLY MAINTAINED BY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD.
1. We can have peace through prayer and communion with God. Rom.5v1,2. Is.26v3. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee." It is a result of abiding in Christ and subordination to the Holy Spirit. N.B. Perfect peace.
2. Christ's peace sprang from obedience to God and our peace will too.
3. The flesh dominated life cannot know peace, it brings spiritual death. Rom.8v13.

B. CHRIST'S PEACE IS PROOF AGAINST ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.
1. Christ's peace is proof against any circumstance, as He proved by His victorious life at Nazareth, the pressure and opposition of His ministry, and the awful suffering of His death on the cross and in Hades.

2. We can have perfect peace within through Jesus. Jesus said to Peter, "I am going to be betrayed by one of you and suffer and die; and you will deny me Peter, but let not your heart be troubled, believe in me." Jn.13v21,36-38. 14v1.

3. We can convey peace through our lives and our prayers, even to changing the affairs of the nations. 1Tim.2v1-8. There is peace through the Gospel, let us have our feet shod with it. Eph.6v16.

4. LONGSUFFERING. "Makrothumia." Strong 3115.
True patience is a rare thing; "Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can; seldom found in women, but never in a man;" except in the man Christ Jesus, and those who allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in them. However, it is one of the characteristics of "agape" love, and Paul informs us, "Love is patient;" 1Cor.13v4.; and instructs us to, "Put on garments of patience and forbearance." Col.3v12,13. Eph.4v2.The Greek word for patience is "makrothumia," and means literally, "long-tempered;" it is derived from "makro," "long;" and "thumos," "temper." "Makrothumia" mainly speaks of patience with people; whereas, "hupomene," means "steadfast endurance," and speaks of triumph over circumstances and suffering. Both words are used by Paul, in 2Tim.3v10,11., to describe his own ministry.

1. "MAKROTHUMIA" IS USED TO DESCRIBE THE GREAT PATIENCE OF GOD WITH PEOPLE.

a. It is one of the great glories of God's wonderful character.
In Exod.34v6. "Slow to anger," is "makrothumia" in the Septuagint. So also is Neh..9v17. 103v8. In Exod.34v6., "merciful," is "rakhoom," (Strong 7349, which means), "full of compassionate, cuddling love and mercy."
N.B. Jonah.4v2. Was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil."

b. It is the reason for God's many efforts to save us.
Paul is an example of God's longsuffering, to give hope to all. 1Tim.1v12-16.
God is longsuffering and not willing that any should perish. 2Pet.3v9.
The riches of God's longsuffering. Rom.2v4. The riches of God's grace. Eph.1v7.

c. It is the reason for the merciful delay of God's judgement.
The longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah. 1Pet.3v20. The tragedy is that people harden their hearts when God delays judgement and shows mercy. Rom.2v1-4. 9v17,22. Pharaoh. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the hearts of the sons of men is thoroughly set in them to do evil." Eccles.8v11.

d. It is one of the reasons for the delay in Christ's coming.
God delays judgement and gives space for repentance to show mercy. Rev.2v21-23. Peter tells us, "Count the longsuffering of the Lord as salvation." 2Pet.3v15. "The husbandman waiteth---and hath long patience for it." James.5v7-11. Peter warns the Christians of his day not to expect an imminent return of Jesus, as God's concept of time is different from ours, and to Him a thousand years are like one day to us; however, when Jesus returns, the work of a thousand years will be accomplished in one day. 2Pet.3v8,9. Ps.90v4.

e. At the Second Coming of Christ God's "orge" anger turns to "thumos" anger.
The carnage and suffering caused by Antichrist and his followers and others, results in a longsuffering God destroying with fury the wicked who have caused the world's pain. Is.42v13-17. 63v1-6. 2Thes.1v5-11. It is the day of the wrath of the Lamb. Rev.6v17. To a God of love such judgements are a strange act. Is.28v21. But justice demands such acts. Rev.6v10. 16v7. 19v2. "When Thy judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." Is.26v8-10.

2. "MAKROTHUMIA," SHOULD BE A CROWNING GLORY OF A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY.

a. Long-patience is needed in the home.
Relations between husbands and wives have to be carefully watched, and submission to each other in the fear of God is the divine desire and design in marriage. Eph.5v21. Husbands and wives are "heirs together of the grace of life," a loving relationship and partnership cemented by mutual respect and love, and blessed by God. Patience is needed in the pressures of life, and we have to be kind to one another, and be particularly careful when we are tired or sick, and tempers are frayed.

Paul tells Christian husbands to love their wives, and not to be bitter with them. Col.3v19. Peter warns us that we have to be kind to our wives and consider them, and give honour to them, and recognise the pressures that come upon them through hormone problems, or our prayers will be cut off. 1Pet.3v7-12. The husband may be the head of the house, but he must not dominate his wife, we have to love and care for our wives with the same thoughtful and gentle caring love that Christ shows to His Church. Christ loves His Church and died for it. We must positively put off the old worldly attitudes and standards that worldly men adopt towards their wives, and put on Christ, the new man. Gal.3v27. Eph.4v24. 5v25-33. Col.3v5-14.

Wives too must be submissive and not argumentative, this is particularly true when a husband is not a Christian. Col.3v18. Peter instructs Christian wives to win their husbands "without a word" by the efficient, kindly, thoughtful and loving way that they live. 1Pet.3v1-6.

Children should realise that obedience to parents is well pleasing to God. However, Paul warns Fathers to be careful how we discipline our children when they become rebellious and difficult, or we can provoke them to anger and they can soon become discouraged by unkindness and over discipline. Col.3v20,21. Eph.6v1-4. Growing up can be very difficult, and the "terrible teenage years" need real prayer, love and concern as well as necessary correction, firmness and advice. Good parents shed many thoughtful prayerful tears for their children, as Paul did for his converts. Acts.20v19,31. 2Cor.2v4.

b. Long-patience is needed in relations between Christians in Church relationships.
Paul instructs us, "With all lowliness, meekness, and patience, to forbear one another in love." Eph.4v2. Patience has to be "put on" as a garment, "Put on as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another and forgiving one another." Col.3v12,13. Lack of longsuffering is manifested in anger and a bitter tongue. Jam.3v6.

c. Long-patience is needed in our reaction to and relations with unbelievers.
Paul tells us to, "Be patient toward all men." 1Thes.5v14. Give the reason for your hope in meekness and fear. 1Pet.3v15.

d. Long-patience is especially needed in Christian leaders. 2Tim.4v2.
Christian leaders should preach, reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Paul's qualities of character, including longsuffering, was well known to Timothy. 2Tim.3v10. Christians are to be patient with all men. 1Thes.5v14.

e. Long-patience is essential for receiving some promises. Heb.6v12.
Wait for doors to be opened by God, they will be great and effectual, but we need the right kind of friends and helpers to make use of them. 1Cor.16v9. 2Cor.2v12,13. It is very important to wait on God for His timing, as Jesus said, "My hour has not yet come." Jn.2v4. 7v30. 8v20. "My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready." Jn.7v6. "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified." Jn.12v23. "Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world." Jn.13v1. 17v1. God's "kairos" timings are critical events, and are well worth waiting for with patience. We must not be insolent like Israel and say, "Wake up Lord! Why are you asleep? Rouse yourself! Don't reject us for ever." Ps.44v23.

3. THE PATIENCE OF CHRIST.

a. In the training of His disciples in truth.
Jesus explained His parables to the apostles, and was patient with their lack of understanding of the truths He taught them. Mt.13v10-18. Mk.4v9-13. Jesus patiently withheld much truth from His apostles until they could bear it. Jn.16v12.

b. In the training of His disciples in ministry.
Jesus loved His disciples to the uttermost after years of stupidity and failure, He loves us in the same way. Jn.13v1. Jesus patiently trained His disciples in their ministries, He said the saying was true that, "One soweth, and another reapeth." Some had patiently sowed without receiving fruit, and the apostles were gathering the fruit of their labours. Jn.4v35-38. Jesus was removing His disciples hardness of heart, and causing them to grow in grace. Mk.6v52. 8v15-17.

God's wonderful longsuffering love and grace was even manifested to His enemies.
Christ's heart-broken patience and love for Israel in spite of their rejection of God's time of visitation. Lk.19v41-44. How wonderful! Jesus patiently endured "hupomene," the hatred of His enemies in His sufferings. Heb.12v2,3. Like the prophets Jesus is an example of longsuffering. James.5v10,11.

Divine patience gives way to Divine judgement. God bears long with the wicked but the time comes when He avenges the ill-treatment and murder of His own elect. Lk.18v7,8. "But these enemies of mine who would not have me as their king, bring here at once and execute them before me." Lk.19v27. 20v16. The great day of God's "thumos" anger is a future certain reality. Rev.6v17. 19v15. 2Thes.1v5-11.

CONCLUSION.
Those who control their spirit and tongue and are longsuffering are greater than he who takes a city. Prov.16v32. Jesus did this perfectly in His home life at Nazareth, James remembered it well. James.3v2. Considering Jesus is the key to manifesting victorious patience, "makrothumia," and triumphant fortitude, "hupomene". Heb.3v1. 6v12-20. 12v2,3. 2Cor.3v18.

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