In our world, there is so much sorrow, misery, and sadness.

We see indicators all around us that reveal to us that most people are looking for something,

anything, that can bring them true joy. In this study on joy,

Scott Pauley will take us to God's Word and help us discover the source of true, lasting joy.

And as we study the Bible together, we will find that God's joy is readily available to us

through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are some words that just don't seem like they go together, and we come to two of those

today. The word joy and the word persecution. One seems positive, the other seems

negative. One is something we want. The other is something we don't. But the reality is in the

history of the church, in the annals of history of God's people, you will find that very often the seasons of tremendous persecution

of the Lord's followers have been seasons of tremendous joy for those people. And there's a reason

for that. Peter explains later in the New Testament that if you're persecuted for righteousness

sake, if you're dealing with reproach for Jesus's sake,

the spirit of glory and of God rest upon you. We all want the spirit of glory and of God

without the persecution, don't we? But today we come in Acts chapter 13 to the joy of persecution.

What is the joy of persecution? is the joy of persecution in a word it is standing with christ there's no joy like it uh all of hell will come against you the world will

will not like it the enemy will push back but when you are standing with christ you are a partaker of his joy when you know the lord and you are standing with Christ, you are a partaker of his joy.

When you know the Lord and you are in the yoke with him,

though there's work and there's warfare and even at times weariness,

there is a supply of great joy.

Now read Acts chapter 13 beginning in verse number 49. The Bible says,

And the Word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. That's what we need,

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