The Holy Spirit values something above all, but the Holy Spirit is always behind the scenes. His job is to exalt Jesus, so what He values is harder to figure out. To do so we need to understand a little Greek. The Greek word for Joy is, ‘chara’: For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy (chara), peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy (chara) of the Holy Spirit, 1 Thessalonians 1:6 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52 The Greek word for Grace is ‘charis’. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:29 The Greek word for Gift is ‘charisma’. Having then gifts (charisma) differing according to the grace (charis) that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Romans 12:6 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 1 Corinthians 12:4 Let’s focus a little closer on two of chara and charis "CHARA"... 1. Which Thayer defines as "joy, gladness" 2. Vine adds "delight" 3. An inner gladness; a deep-seated pleasure. It is a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful and rejoicing heart. Such confidence produces cheerful and rejoicing behavior regardless of the circumstances. 4. The joy of the Lord is not the same as the joy of the world. The joy of the world is more of a temporary pleasure than joy. The joy of the world is always dependent upon circumstances or feelings. The joy of the Holy Spirit is dependent upon confidence in the power of God. "CHARIS"... 1. Most often translated as "grace" 2. Vine defines grace as "that which bestows or occasions pleasure, delight, or causes favorable regard" Grace, particularly that which causes joy, pleasure, gratification, favor, acceptance, for a kindness granted or desired, a benefit, thanks, gratitude. A favor done without expectation of return; the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor. Cháris stands in direct antithesis to érga, works, the two being mutually exclusive. God's grace affects man's sinfulness and not only forgives the repentant sinner, but brings joy and thankfulness to him. Complete Word Study Dictionary 3. Therefore grace is what produces joy! CONNECTION BETWEEN "GRACE" AND "JOY"... 1. One's joy is directly proportional to the grace one has received, or at least to the perception of grace that one has received a. Receive a small gift, and your joy might be minimal b. Receive a large gift, and your joyous reaction is greater 2. When Christians' don't have much joy in their lives, something is wrong: "If you have no joy in your religion, there's a leak in your Christianity somewhere." (BILLY SUNDAY) Paul Paints a Picture of the Relationship between Grace and Joy Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5 Therefore Paul Could Write to the Corinthians:  2 Corinthians 4:15 grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God Bonus Note: “CHARÍZOMAI”… From cháris. To show someone a favor, be kind to. Most common in NT is to pardon, to forgive. So to forgive someone is to give them grace. To not forgive is to withhold grace. So understand something about grace. God never bestows His grace upon someone as the final stop. Grace is meant to be re-gifted. In fact, grace grows stronger when it is being given away. Second Experience of Grace Paul said something interesting to the Corinthians in his second letter:  Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 2 Corinthians 1:15 He was serious, as he said something similar to the Roman church:  For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift (charisma) to strengthen you— Romans 1:11 WHAT WAS THIS “SECOND EXPERIENCE OF GRACE”? What Does the Holy Spirit Value above all Else?  Read in 2 Corinthians 8 Know about Grace (vs. 1) 1. Grace Giving is Greater than Circumstances a. Severe affliction (pressure) (vs. 2) b. Severe poverty (beggary) (vs. 2) c. Grace Giving ignores your own ability (limitations) (vs. 3) d. Grace Giving relies upon God’s ability (vs. 5) i. They gave themselves to the Lord first. e. Grace Giving produces generosity (2) f. Grace Giving produces great joy. (2) 2. Grace Giving requires Willingness. a. Begged for the grace of giving (4) b. Willing to give themselves to the Lord (5) 3. Excel in Grace Giving (Command) 4. Grace Giving Grows From Genuine Love (8) 5. Jesus is the Greatest Example of Grace Giving (9) a. Though He was rich b. He became poor c. That we might be rich through His poverty 6. Grace Giving is a Decision of your Heart (9:7) 7. Grace Giving Opens the Windows of Heaven (9:8) a. God is Able to make all grace abound b. Grace provides sufficiency in all things c. Grace empowers us to abound in every good work 8. Grace Giving Results in our being Enriched (9:11) a. so that we will be generous b. Produce thanksgiving 9. Grace Giving produces Greater Grace (9:14) a. Hyperballo-to throw beyond the mark 10. Grace Giving touches eternity a. Produces righteousness that endures forever b. Increases the harvest of your righteousness c. Enables us to be rich toward God!  The first two fruits of the Holy Spirit are love and joy.  Grace Giving comes from a willing heart that has genuine love (8:8)  Grace Giving produces and abundance of joy in the midst of pressure and poverty.  Grace Giving provides Greater Grace  Grace Giving communicates Jesus Christ (9:8)  Grace Giving results in Thanksgiving to God What does the Holy Spirit value most of all? Hearts willing to give because they rely on the grace of the Holy Spirit! Examples from the Bible  Mark 12:41-44 Widow  Mark 14:3-9 Woman Breaks alabaster flask! While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head (Mark 14:3). “She has done what she could!”  Grace isn’t real to us until we learn to give it away  Grace becomes Joy when we give to others!  Give charis away and it becomes chara. Harry B. McCormick, former president of the United Christian Missionary Society, told of an experience in one of his early pastorates. The largest gift from their church to a special mission offering was from a single woman who was the sole support of her invalid mother. The leaders of the church determined that she could not afford such an extravagant gift. Dr. McCormick agreed to talk with the woman and return the check. He explained that she had given more than she could afford and that the church could not accept her gift. After listening to her pastor, the woman replied, "My daily work is hard and dull – especially since, as a girl, I had my heart set on going to a foreign field as a missionary. But then my mother became ill, and I had to go to work to support her. I am glad to be able to provide and care for her; but the thing that gives real meaning to my working hours is the thought that I am able, by my giving, to help somebody else go overseas and serve as a missionary. You cannot take away from me this one great joy of my life by refusing to accept my check." Dr. McCormick reports that he left her home humbled and chastened. He determined that he would never again attempt to tell anybody that their gift was too much. This woman offers an example of the same pattern of giving as the Macedonians and Jesus. It is the pattern which Paul holds up for us to follow.