Where does real joy come from?

Sermon Introduction

Save-the-date for a special night. SLIDE

Wednesday night, November the 5th

Ordination: Ordination is when a church recognizes and sets apart a man for the ministry of the gospel, affirming God’s call on his life.

There are traditions that change culture to culture - but recognizing God has done a work, the candidate meets (to the best of our understanding) the qualifications in 1 Timothy, and laying on of hands are essential aspects that have been true for the last 2,000 years.

Special night for Greg and Grace - but they know that. He has been eager, but never pushy. He did not wait until the ordained to do the work of a pastor.

Special night for us as church family - I want to make sure you know that.

Here are some pictures of Greg growing up here at the church.

The world needs more men dedicated to the Ministry of the Gospel.

We will invite outside pastors to join us. We will invite them him because they have helped us encourage Greg along the way. We will invite them to rejoice with us. We invite them to pray with him and us.

But know you, the church, will be the ordaining body. This is God’s design.

1 John 1 (KJV)

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Introduction:

Picture this with me, the last living apostle writes to his “little children.” He was there when Jesus walked on water. He leaned on Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper. He ran to the empty tomb.

Now, false teachers are confusing the church, saying Jesus didn’t really come in the flesh.

So John starts his letter not with greetings but with testimony: We saw Him. We heard Him. We touched Him.

John wants his people to know: Christianity isn’t built on myths, feelings, or new ideas. It’s built on the real Jesus, who brings us into fellowship with God, and fills us with joy.

The Person of John

1. John’s Calling into Ministry

Called from fishing with his brother James (Matt. 4:21–22).

Immediately left nets and father to follow Christ.

Became one of the Twelve apostles (Luke 6:14).

2. John’s Closeness to Jesus

One of the inner three:

Raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:37).

The Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1).

Gethsemane (Mark 14:33).

“The disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 21:7).

At the Last Supper leaned on Jesus’ bosom (John 13:23).

3. God Shares Secrets with Friends

Jesus: “I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:15).

John’s intimacy with Christ made him a recipient of divine truth. (Daniel)

4. John’s Ministry & Responsibility

At the cross: “When Jesus therefore saw his mother… he saith to the disciple, Behold thy mother!” (John 19:26–27).

Tradition places him later as a spiritual overseer at Ephesus.

He became a steady, fatherly voice to the church.

5. John’s Reputation for Love

Known as the “apostle of love.”

In his later years, often urged believers: “Little children, love one another.”

His writings emphasize both truth and love (1 John 3:18).

6. John’s Temperament: A Son of Thunder

Jesus surnamed James and John “Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17).

They once asked, “Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven…?” (Luke 9:54).

Christ reshaped that fiery zeal into Christlike love.

7. John’s Qualifications to Write

Eyewitness: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes… and our hands have handled, of the Word of life” (1 John 1:1).

Outlived the other apostles, bearing seasoned testimony.

Writes as both witness and elder shepherd.

8. Difference in His Writings

Gospel of John – Evangelistic: “these are written, that ye might believe” (John 20:31).

Revelation – Prophetic: Christ revealed in glory.

2 & 3 John – Short letters to individuals and local churches.

1 John – Different: more like a sermon to the family of God, full of repetition, affection, and fatherly counsel.

How many would say this is your favorite book of the Bible?

What makes this book unique?

1. This book is a family letter, warm yet firm, urging believers to hold to the truth.

The book was written to encourage Christians who are struggling — those who are trying to hold on to truth while false teaching surrounds them. It urges perseverance.

John repeatedly addresses his readers as “my little children” (2:1, 12, 18, 28).

The letter feels less like a formal treatise and more like a fatherly shepherd writing to his family.

We have the pastoral epistles, and we have the church epistles, but this book almost feels like it belongs in its own category — a family epistle — written with the warmth of a father to his children.

It’s warm, personal, and relational, even while being doctrinally uncompromising.

Confronting False Doctrine. He’s defending essential Christian doctrine, not just moral behaviour.

2. This book moves in circles, returning to love, light, truth, and obedience with fresh depth.

Unlike Paul’s letters, 1 John doesn’t move in a straight line.

John circles back again and again to the same great themes — light, love, truth, obedience — each time with fresh depth.

Scholars often describe the style as “circular” or “spiral” or “symphonic” rather than linear.

“The Epistle of John is unique in its repetition and cyclical manner. John does not argue step by step in a straight line, but moves in circles, returning again and again to the same great themes of obedience, love, and truth, each time deepening and expanding them. What at first seems repetition is in fact a spiraling ascent, drawing the reader higher into assurance and fellowship with God.” — adapted from F. F. Bruce

First John is like a cinnamon roll — it circles around and around, but every layer is rich with the sweet themes of love, light, and truth. - T.L. Cornwell

3. This book is filled with promises and proofs, giving assurance and testing faith.

Let me encourage you to follow along in your Bible as we look at a few. We have also included a full list on the sermon notes online.

Promises (19)

Cleansed by Jesus’ blood – “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1:7)

Forgiveness & cleansing – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us… and to cleanse us.” (1:9)

Advocate with the Father – “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (2:1)

Propitiation for our sins – “He is the propitiation for our sins.” (2:2)

Abiding in Him – “He that keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected… hereby know we that we are in him.” (2:5)

Eternal life – “This is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” (2:25)

Confidence at His coming – “Abide in him; that… we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (2:28)

We are God’s children – “Now are we the sons of God.” (3:2)

We shall be like Him – “When he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (3:2)

Answered prayer – “Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments.” (3:22; 5:14–15)

He abideth in us – “Hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” (3:24; 4:13)

God is love / We dwell in Him – “He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” (4:16)

Perfect love casts out fear – “Perfect love casteth out fear.” (4:18)

Victory over the world – “Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.” (5:4)

Eternal life in His Son – “He that hath the Son hath life.” (5:12)

Assurance of eternal life – “That ye may know that ye have eternal life.” (5:13)

God hears our prayers – “If we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” (5:14)

God keeps His children – “He that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.”(5:18)

Understanding from God – “The Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true.” (5:20)

These 19 promises fall under four categories: salvation, assurance, prayer, and victory

Proofs / Tests (25)

Believers do not walk in darkness – “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” (1:6)

Believers walk in the light – “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.” (1:7)

Believers keep His commandments – “Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” (2:3)

Believers walk as He walked – “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (2:6)

Believers love their brother – “He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.” (2:10)

Believers do not love the world – “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (2:15)

Believers do not deny the Son – “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father.” (2:23)

Believers are taught truth by the anointing – “The same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie.” (2:27)

Believers abide in Him – “And now, little children, abide in him.” (2:28)

Believers do righteousness – “He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” (3:7)

Believers do not practice sin – “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.” (3:9)

Believers show they are children of God – “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil.” (3:10)

Believers lay down their lives for the brethren – “We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (3:16)

Believers love in deed and truth – “Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (3:18)

Believers keep His commandments and believe on His Son – “This is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another.” (3:23)

Believers have the Spirit given to them – “Hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” (3:24; 4:13)

Believers test the spirits – “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” (4:1)

Believers confess Jesus Christ is come in the flesh – “Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.” (4:2)

Believers love, showing they are born of God – “Every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” (4:7)

Believers know God by loving – “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (4:8)

Believers confess Jesus is the Son of God – “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (4:15)

Believers have boldness because love is perfected in them – “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment.” (4:17–18)

Believers who love God love their brother also – “He who loveth God love his brother also.” (4:21)

Believers love the children of God – “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.” (5:2)

Believers overcome the world by faith – “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (5:4–5)

These proofs show that true believers live with obedience, love, truth, the Spirit’s witness, and separation from sin and the world.

4. This book speaks in simple words but deep, sharp contrasts that search and assure the heart.

Though the vocabulary is relatively simple and the style plain, the theological content is rich and profound.

John uses bold black-and-white contrasts with very little gray:

Light vs. darkness (1:5–7)

Love vs. hatred (2:9–11; 3:14–15)

Truth vs. lies (2:21–27)

God’s children vs. the devil’s children (3:10)

This absolute language makes the message both searching and assuring.

5. This book centers on fellowship, joy, and assurance of eternal life.

John writes so believers may have fellowship with the Father and the Son (1:3) and so they may know they have eternal life (5:13).

No other epistle so directly addresses the joy of salvation and the assurance it brings.

Questions from 1 John

Where does real joy come from?

What does it mean to live in the light?

How do you know faith is real?

Who can you trust with the truth?

Whose child are you really?

What does love look like?

How do you test the spirits?

What does it mean that God is love?

How does faith defeat the world?

Can you know you have eternal life?

Story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32)

A family story:

The younger son wandered far from the father.

The father ran to meet him and restore fellowship.

The older brother lacked love and resented grace.

This sets the tone for 1 John: fellowship with the Father and with one another brings “full joy” (1 John 1:3–4).

1. Real joy comes from the revelation of Jesus Christ

Text: 1 John 1:1–2

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)”

A. Jesus is eternal

“That which was from the beginning.”

John echoes Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1.

Jesus existed before creation—He is not created but Creator.

The beginning John wrote of is not the beginning of this world, but the beginning of eternity.

John wants us to know that the Word of life is eternal and has always existed.

Joy begins here—our faith is not rooted in shifting ideas, but in the unchanging, eternal Christ.

B. Jesus is historical

“Which we have heard… seen with our eyes… looked upon… and our hands have handled.”

John stresses his eyewitness experience.

He literally leaned on Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper (John 13:23).

He stood at the empty tomb.

He touched the resurrected Lord (Luke 24:39).

Early heresy (Docetism) claimed Jesus only “seemed” human. John shuts that door—hearing, seeing, handling are courtroom words of testimony.

Illustration – The Docetist at the Mic: Imagine John on a college campus stage, doing Q&A like Charlie Kirk. A student steps up wearing a T-shirt that reads: “Spirit Good, Flesh Bad.” He asks:

“John, you claim to have seen, heard, and touched Jesus. But if God is perfect Spirit, how could He truly take on corrupt human flesh? Don’t you think you’re lowering God by saying He became a man?”

John’s answer would be the opening of this letter:

1 John 1:1 “1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;”

He would insist that denying Christ’s humanity is the spirit of antichrist (1 John 4:2–3). His T-shirt might simply say: “The Word Became Flesh” (John 1:14).

Christianity is not a philosophy or an idea—it is a Person, rooted in the historical reality of Jesus Christ, who came in the flesh, died in the flesh, and rose again in the flesh.

Stop looking for spiritual shortcuts or “new revelations.” Anchor your joy in the historic, risen Christ.

C. Jesus is life

“That eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us.”

Joy comes because life is not found in chasing experiences or achievements, but in knowing Him. John 17:3 “3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

When life feels fragile, joy is secured in the unshakable reality of Christ revealed.

Illustration – The Gnostic at the Mic: Another student steps up, wearing a T-shirt that says: “Secret Knowledge = Salvation.” He asks:

“John, you keep writing like eternal life is available to everyone through faith in Christ. But don’t you know the truth is hidden from the masses? Isn’t salvation really for those who can rise above this world and discover the secret knowledge?”

John’s answer would echo the heartbeat of his epistle:

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son does not have life” (1 John 5:12).

His T-shirt would simply say: “Which Lighteth Every Man” (John 1:9).

Eternal life is not hidden knowledge for an elite—it is the gift of Christ for all who believe.

John insists that Jesus is both fully God (eternal, from the beginning) and fully man (heard, seen, touched). Take away either truth and you lose the gospel.

Stop asking fragile things to give you joy. Assurance in Christ — that you are forgiven, loved, adopted — is what fills your joy cup to overflowing!

Transition: Our joy begins with the confidence that our Savior is real and trustworthy. But it only starts there.

2. Real joy comes from fellowship with God and His people.

1 John 1:3 “3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

A. Fellowship is shared life

Fellowship (koinonia) means sharing in common life, not just coffee and donuts. It’s spiritual participation together in Christ.

Joy increases when faith is shared, not hoarded.

Joy grows when we share life with believers. Isolation kills joy.

“Joy is multiplied when it is shared. It is like fire: when it is divided into many torches, it is not diminished but increased.”

You can’t be close to Jesus and far from His people.

5 Ways Joy Is Shared as a Church Family

Worshiping Together – Singing, praying, and hearing God’s Word proclaimed lifts our hearts beyond our circumstances and unites us in joy (Psalm 95:1–2).

Bearing Burdens Together – Shared trials become lighter when carried in community, and the joy of answered prayers is multiplied (Galatians 6:2).

Celebrating Milestones – Baptisms, weddings, births, and answered prayers are moments when the whole body rejoices together (Romans 12:15).

Serving Together – Working side by side for the gospel produces lasting joy as we see God use our efforts (Philippians 1:4–5).

Encouraging One Another – A word in season, a testimony of God’s grace, or simply showing up faithfully fans the flame of joy in others (Hebrews 10:24–25).

B. Fellowship is first about a vertical relationship

“..truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

The vertical relationship with God makes horizontal fellowship possible.

The joy of fellowship with others will never be experienced until there is peace with God through Jesus.

Illustration: Just like pianos tuned to one tuning fork, when believers are aligned to Christ, they are in harmony with one another.

Joy is created by God, cultivated in Christ, carried by the Spirit, and multiplied in the church.

If you find yourself disconnected from God’s people, look first at your connection to God Himself. Fellowship problems are usually worship problems.

It’s possible to belong to a church family socially, but not belong to God spiritually. My fear is that you might settle for the first without the second. We do not want to facilitate this. We are not more loveable or likeable than Jesus.

C. Fellowship is grounded in truth

Real unity is not built on feelings but facts—Christ crucified and risen.

False teachers claimed “new revelations.” John insists: we stick with the God-given, Bible truth.

There is something special about the fellowship John speaks of. It is all about a relationship with Jesus Christ, not a membership in a club.

Quote on joy in shared life as the church: “The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer. It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in fellowship with Christian brethren.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

3. Real joy comes from the fullness we find in Christ.

1 John 1:4 “4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”

A. Joy is God’s design

This echoes Jesus’ own words in John 15:11. The aim of teaching is not burden but blessing. John 15:11 “11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

God is not glorified by joyless Christians. He intends joy to be the hallmark of fellowship with Him.

Joy is a test of our fellowship with God. Where joy is missing, fellowship is broken.

B. Joy is secured in assurance

Later, John writes: “That ye may know that ye have eternal life” (5:13).

When you know you are forgiven, accepted, and secure in Christ, joy naturally follows.

The greatest tragedy in the church is believers who have eternal life but no assurance, and therefore no joy. Assurance is the bridge to joy.

C. Joy can grow.

Your joy can grow. It can be added to. Philippians 1:25 “25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;”

Joy is contagious — when you see others walk in the truth, your own joy increases.

As John rejoiced when his “children walked in truth” (2 John 4).

If your joy feels weak, don’t withdraw — press deeper into Christ and into His people.

Invest in discipling someone; you’ll find joy growing as you see them walk in truth.

As faith deepens, joy deepens. Joy is strengthened by the Word, prayer, obedience, and community.

Ask yourself: Am I cultivating conditions where joy can grow — or am I starving it by neglecting the Word, prayer, and fellowship?

Conclusion & Response

So where does real joy come from?

From Christ revealed in real history.

From fellowship shared with God and His people.

From the assurance of eternal life in Him.

But let me end with a story not told by John, but he would have heard it. And I expect loved it very much.

A son rebelled, ran away from home, and wasted everything his father had given him. He chased joy in all the wrong places — money, pleasure, freedom — only to end up broke, hungry, and alone. That’s what happens when we try to find joy anywhere but in God.

Finally, he came to his senses. He thought, “Maybe I could just be a servant in my father’s house.” But when he started home, something incredible happened: his father saw him, ran to him, embraced him, and threw a feast.

Do you remember what the father said? Luke 15:32 “32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”

That’s the picture of true joy.

Joy doesn’t come from what you can earn, or what you can achieve, or even how far you’ve wandered.

Real joy comes when the Father welcomes you home through the Son.

It comes when you realize you are forgiven, reconciled, and brought into the fellowship of His family.

John says, “We write these things to you, that your joy may be full.” And the Father says, “Come home, my child. The feast is ready. Enter into My joy.” What are we waiting for?