And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
In the midst of ministry, serving with joy and fullness of the Holy Spirit, is a must. Today there is a startling percentage of pastors who are leaving the ministry because the above verse is not true in their lives. The writer of Hebrews wanted to make sure the saints of the church knew this truth and wrote it this way:
Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Church members need to know that it is now “advantage” to them to have those ministering to them absent joy. It is important to note that after Luke wrote the above passage in Acts, in the next chapter, Paul was stoned, almost to death. Most ministers today can’t handle it when their members post bad things about them on a social media platform. Paul and his company of brand new missionaries served with joy in the Holy Spirit. Remember, joy is a gift of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Our ministry as servants of God is to be done in the Spirit. When it is done in the Spirit it can be one of joy. When it is not done in the Spirit it can be rather painful. It can be painful in the Spirit, as well, however:
Acts 14:19 (ESV)
Paul Stoned at Lystra
But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
God does not promise those who serve for Him in the Body of Christ an easy path on the outside. He does promise them joy on the inside.
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