Joy! Joy! Joy!

In this message centering on the Fruit of the Spirit, Chuck Swindoll tackles the elusive but essential virtue of Joy. He begins by asking a poignant question: "Where did all the fun go?". lamenting that modern culture has shifted from the lightheartedness of his childhood to a climate of constant bad news, anger, and vulgarity. Swindoll argues that God does not desire His children to operate in the "slimy ooze of indefiniteness" regarding His will; rather, He makes it clear in Galatians 5 that He desires to produce a "cluster" of virtues in them, with Joy standing second only to Love. Swindoll challenges the misconception that holiness equates to a lack of humor. He portrays Jesus not as a "stuffed shirt" Pharisee, but as a winsome, approachable Savior whom "sinners" actually liked being around [10–11]. To illustrate the resilience of biblical joy, Swindoll turns to the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Despite being chained to a Roman soldier under house arrest, Paul wrote a letter where the theme of joy and rejoicing appears nearly 20 times. Swindoll emphasizes that if Paul could find reason to rejoice while in captivity, believers today can find joy regardless of their circumstances. The message moves from theology to practical application, sharing stories of how Swindoll injected laughter into the formal atmosphere of a seminary and how believers can disarm rudeness with unexpected kindness. He concludes with a sobering reminder that true, lasting joy is impossible without a relationship with Jesus Christ. He urges listeners to accept the gift of salvation, noting that for the Christian, the ultimate truth is not the bad news of the world, but the promise that "to be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord" [28–30].

Message Key Facts:

• The "Cluster" of Fruit: Swindoll notes that "Fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5 is singular, not plural. It is a cluster of nine virtues that God desires to produce, with Joy being the "contagion of Christianity" that accompanies the flagship virtue of Love [1–2].
• The Shift of 1960: Swindoll identifies 1960 as a cultural turning point where "ugly took the place of beauty and vulgar took the place of fun." He contrasts this with his upbringing, where laughter and music persisted even amidst the backdrop of war [6–8].
• Jesus Was Fun: Swindoll challenges the religious stereotype of a grim Jesus. He suggests Jesus likely splashed in the Sea of Galilee and told stories under the stars. He points out that while the Pharisees hated Jesus, the "street people" and outcasts loved dining with Him because He was full of grace rather than judgment [9–11].
• The Seminary Transformation: Swindoll recounts his return to his alma mater (Dallas Theological Seminary) after 30 years. Finding it cold and formal, he "opened the windows," removed "Keep Off the Grass" signs to allow picnics and football, and even broke a window playing catch—all to restore joy to the learning environment [12–14].
• Hilarious Giving: Commenting on the biblical concept of a "cheerful giver," Swindoll explains that the Greek word used is hilarion, from which we get "hilarious." Giving to God should be a source of high-spirited joy, not obligation.
• The McDonald’s Revenge: Swindoll shares a story (read to him by Joe Allen) about an 83-year-old man who responded to a rude young woman honking behind him in a drive-thru by paying for her food. When she waved to thank him, he showed the server both receipts and took her food too, forcing her to get back in line—a humorous lesson on why one should not honk at old people [26–27].
• Fundamentalist Appearance: Quoting Howard Hendricks, Swindoll reminds the congregation: "You can be a fundamentalist, but you don't have to look like it." He urges Christians not to look like "game wardens" of their communities.

Message References:

• Galatians 5:22–23: The list of the Fruit of the Spirit, identifying Joy as a key virtue.
• Philippians 1:3–4: "Every time I think of you I give thanks to my God... with joy".
• Philippians 2:2: Paul’s plea for the church to make him happy by agreeing wholeheartedly and loving one another.
• Philippians 3:1: "Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord".
• Philippians 4:4: "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!".
• Matthew 6:8 (Sermon on the Mount): Jesus’ instruction, "Do not be like them" (referring to the somber Pharisees).
• 2 Corinthians 5:8: Referenced in the conclusion: "To be absent from the body... is to be at home with the Lord".

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll