I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy

Jn 16:1924

I think Christians can learn something from our pet dogs. Here is a list someone complied of things human can learn from their dogs.

1. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a

joyride.

2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the

wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

3. When loved ones come home, always run to

greet them.

6. Take naps often and stretch before rising.

7. Run, romp, and play daily.

8. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

9. Be loyal.

10. Never pretend to be something you're not.

12. When someone is having a bad day, be

silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them

gently.

13. Thrive on attention and let people touch

you.

16. When you're happy, dance around and wag

your entire body.

17. No matter how often you're scolded, don't

buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right

back and make friends.

18. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

[From the internet. Source unknown.]

We’re going to look at joy this morning. What is joy? How can we be filled with joy? Do you have the joy down in your heart as the children’s song goes?

PRAYER

I. The Definition of Joy

A. What the Greek means

1. The Greek word for joy includes gladness and delight

2. It is the emotion evoked by well being or possessing what one desires.

3. It is used over 60 times in the New Testament.

4. The verb rejoice is used over 70 times.

5. So, this is a popular theme among the New Testament writers!

B. A word closely related to joy is grace

1. Vines defines grace: That which bestows or occasions pleasure, delight, or causes favorable regard.

2. By definition, grace produces joy!

C. The connection between grace and joy

1. joy is proportional to the amount of grace we perceive we have received.

2. If you get a small gift, your joy may be minimal.

3. Get a large gift and your joyous reaction is probably going to be greater.

4. As Christians we should be the most joyous people around.

5. We have been given the greatest gift there ever was. Salvation.

6. Billy Sunday once said, “if you have no joy in your religion, there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere.”

7. We need to be living examples of what Paul said in Phil 4:4 - Rejoice always and again I say rejoice.

8. Many years ago some men were panning for gold in Montana, and one of them found an unusual stone. Breaking it open, he was excited to see that it contained gold. Working eagerly, the men soon discovered an abundance of the precious metal. Happily, they began shouting with delight, "We've found it! We've found gold! We're rich!" They had to interrupt their celebrating, though, to go into a nearby town and stock up on supplies. Before they left camp, the men agreed not to tell a soul about their find. Indeed, no one breathed a word about it to anyone while they were in town. Much to their dismay, however, when they were about to return, hundreds of men were prepared to follow them. When they asked the crowd to tell who "squealed," the reply came, "No one had to. Your faces showed it!"

9. That should be continual look on our faces because of the grace of God in our lives.

II. The Sources of Joy for the Christian

A. Joy is a consequence of faith

1. Joy comes from having a confident faith in God

a) It dispels the attitudes that prevent joy form occurring.

b) Christians shouldn’t be weighed down by doubt, worry or fear.

c) Even in bad times, we can see where our real wealth is.

d) That’s why the Macedonian churches mentioned by Paul in 2 Cor 8:1-4 gave generously to the churches in need even though THEY were experiencing great trials and extreme poverty.

e) Paul says their joy overflowed and so insisted in giving even though they had so little.

2. I wonder if we have that same type of confident faith in God today that we would insist on giving to brothers and sisters in need even when we don’t have much ourselves.

3. We have faith that God will work all for our good.

4. Spiritual joy isn’t built on what we possess materially, but what we possess spiritually.

5. That’s a tough lesson for a materialistic culture like ours.

B. Joy is also the result of obedience

1. We don’t usually associate obedience with joy, but obedience to God’s word brought joy to those who obeyed.

a) The Samaritans Acts 8:5-8

b) Ethiopian Eunuch Acts 8:35-39

c) Philippian Jailer Acts 16:31-34

d) The Thessalonians 1 Thess 1:6

2. Heb 10:26-27 says disobedience produces fear

a) If you are missing joy in your life, could it be because of disobedience to God?

b) Gives you something to chew on doesn’t it?

C. Joy is bases on forgiveness

1. The guilt of sin is a major reason why many people lack joy.

2. When they understand forgiveness that joy just explodes out of them.

3. David discovered this important principle and wrote about it in Psa 32.

a) in v1-2 he says blessed is the man who’s sins are forgiven.

b) v3-4 he talks about how sin had been eating him up inside.

c) v5 - he confessed his sin and was forgiven

d) He ends the psalm by saying; “rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous. Sing all you who are upright in heart.”

D. Joy comes from Christian fellowship

1. I am hoping that joy will develop as a result of our small groups.

2. I know people feel that way after spending the weekend together at retreat.

3. I know that’s how our kids feel after coming home from Camp each summer.

E. Joy comes from Christian Service

1. Ask those who have been involved in Christian service and most will say they felt good about it.

2. I have talked with several people who used part of their vacation time to do mission work or help at church camp. Shortly after returning home, they were making plans for the next time because they gained so much from giving.

3. For about 20 years I have helped out at various camps. I come home exhausted and not nearly as prepared for the Sunday sermon as I would like, but pumped up from the experience.

4. I always feel like the kids teach me more than I teach them.

III. Conclusion

A. The greatest joy comes from being right with God.

1. I read a story that touched my heart. It’s just a short little story, yet the power behind it was incredible to me. I hope it does something for you as well.

2. An elderly Christian lady lay dying. Her beloved husband sat by her bedside tenderly holding her hand. They both knew that the end was near and that they soon would be parted. As their eyes met, a tear flowed down the old woman's wrinkled cheek. Gently, her husband wiped it away. Then, with a quaver in his voice, he said, "Thank God, Mary, that's the last!"

3. Even in the sorrow of parting, there can be joy for those who are ready to be with God.

4. I dread the day that Helene and I will have to part here on earth, but if we can part like that, my life will have been filled with the joy that matters most.