Pulpit Speech II                                                KL Paulson
Preacher Silcox                                                  1-28-1999

Joy

TEXT: John 15:11

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." -- Jesus

   Point out the CONTEXT of John 15.

INTRODUCTION:

   Christ's "joy might remain in you"

   -- Divine (Heavenly) in nature. NOT just an earthly happiness.

   -- God given joy. NOT humanly produced...manufactured...worked out

   -- Long Lasting joy. NOT just temporary feeling. Not based on circumstances.

   -- A joy that can be Personally received. And Others can share in the joy of the Lord.

   "your joy might be full"

   -- What kind of Condition is your joy, today?

   -- Is it in a sense full (complete, mature)? 1/2 full? etc.

   -- Could it be developed further? Strengthened? Enhanced somehow?

I. God Wants Us to be Joyful.

   John 17:11 Jesus praying for His disciples

   God's wills for us to be joyful. Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)--JOY

   Being FULL of joy is also mentioned in John 16:24 & I John 1:14.

   Joy comes from a CONSISTENT RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ.

   HOW SO?

   A. In being FORGIVEN BY the Lord (Romans 4:6-8)

   B. In PRAYING FOR OTHERS to the Father (Philippians 1:4)

   C. In LEADING THE LOST to Christ (Luke 15:8-10)
       -- Heaven's joy at each repentant sinner.

II. True Joy Is Far Deeper Than Human Happiness.

   Psalm 16:9 (16:8-11) -- God's PRESENCE.

   A. Happiness is temporary. Fleeting.
       -- It is based on EXTERNAL circumstances or things.

       Luke 12:15 [e.g. Christmas gifts, comedians/clowns, vacations]

   B. Joy is long lasting because it is based on God's presence within us.
       -- It is INTERNAL.

       Confident assurance of His LOVE & WORK in our lives.

III. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Source of Real Joy.

   Ecc 2:26 -- Joy is a GIFT of God to the saints.

   Psalm 4:7 -- "Thou hast put gladness in my heart, MORE than in the time that their corn and their wine increased."

   CONTRAST the Heavenly joy with Earthly happiness.

  A farmer running the harvested crops through his hands...has a certain good 
  feeling about himself.  His long, hard work has finally paid off so he hopes 
  or wishes.  A sense of temporary relief is felt.  He can pay some bills and 
  even take some time off for a time if he chooses.

   CONSIDER:

   -- King David though greatly distressed encouraged himself in the Lord.

   I Samuel 30:6 -- "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God."

   -- King Saul when depressed relied on David's (human) instrumental playing which apparently helped but didn't last very long.

IV. Your Joy IN THE LORD Should Normally Never Cease.

   Philippians 4:4 -- "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."
   (Apostle's Paul in one of his PRISON epistles.)

   II Corinthians 6:10 -- ALWAYS rejoicing <-- Paul was despite enduring many HARDSHIPS.

   Joy despite suffering.

CONCLUSION:

   Are we being an encouragement to others?

  Are we telling them about Christ? His available joy.
                                    His blessed assurance.
                                    His indwelling presence.
                                    His merciful forgiveness.

   Are we, most importantly, abiding in Christ presence on a daily basis?