Introduction : We can see people having an annual festival in a small city or a village in every country in the world. At that time, all citizens or villagers join the festival and experience great joy. That joy makes people reconcile and unify to overcome the trials and hardships they might face. All people must experience great joy to overcome great hardship.


1. Jesus experienced joy (Lk 9:28-36).
    1) On His last journey to Judea from Galilee, Jesus experienced a wonderful change on
        the mountain.
        (1) Jesus was transfigured on the mountain to His former glorious appearance, which
             He had had before He came to this world (Mt 17:2).
        (2) Jesus met Moses and Elijah, who were representatives of the law and prophets.
             They told Jesus about the hardship and death that He would experience because
             this is the completion of the law and prophecy (Isa 53:10; Lk 9:22).
        (3) At that place, Jesus experienced great joy and rapture in His soul
             (Lk 9:35; 2 Pe 1:17,18).
    2) An experience at Bethphage, Mount of Olives, a week before Jesus faced hardship
        (Mt 21:1-5).
        (1) Jesus rode a donkey and entered Jerusalem - An accomplishment of the
             prophecy (Mt 21:6,7; Zec 9:9).
        (2) The welcome of large crowds (Mt 21:8,9).
        (3) An experience of the glory that Jesus had as the coming King (Lk 19:38).
    3) The experience that Jesus had at the house of Simon at Bethany a few days before
         He was taken (Mt 26:6,7).
        (1) A sign of love and respect from Mary - Break the alabaster (Jn 12:3).
        (2) The love and respect that Jesus had received before He died (Mk 14:6-9).

2. The disciples experienced joy.
    1) After the hardship of Jesus, they were totally discouraged and in complete despair
         - for 40 days (Ac 1:3-5).
    2) Experienced fullness of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost
         - Everyone was changed by experiencing great joy and glory (Ac 2:1-4; 1:8).
    3) After that, they could easily overcome persecution, trouble, and death (Ro 8:35-37).

3. Believers should experience joy to overcome the world.
    We must experience His grace to overcome hardship in the world.
    1) Experience of joy in our spiritual lives.
        (1) Experience of the fullness of the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18; Ro 5:5; Jn 7:38).
        (2) Experience of understanding truth (Jn 8:32; 1 Ti 2:4; 1 Th 1:6).
    2) Experience of spiritual life - Faith, hope, love, righteousness, peace, and joy
         (1 Co 13:13; Ro 14:17; Ps 16:11).
    3) Experience of joy in our daily lives.
        (1) Healing of disease (Ps 103:3-5; 1 Pe 2:24).
        (2) Settlement of a painful problem (Jer 33:3; Php 4:4-7).
        (3) Experience of blessing (Ps 1:3; Eze 34:26,27).


Conclusion : When we face trials, theoretical and religious faith goes up in flames. However, when faith is recorded in life as an experience of great joy, it becomes great strength and joy to help us overcome trials and adversity.