Joy?
The Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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What is Joy?
Let’s start with what brings you joy.
Kids
Spouse
Vacations
Food
All of these are circumstances that may bring happiness for a moment, but does it bring joy.
Joy can be defined as: "Inner happiness, which is not dependent on outward circumstances." The O.T. word "simchah" means "gladness of heart," the NT word, "chara" means "inner delight."
The fact that our joy as believers is NOT based on outward circumstances can be seen in verses like:
Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,
Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name.
Today Let’s look at where our joy truly comes from.
I want to start here
Jesus knew they wanted to ask him, and so he said to them, “Are you asking one another about what I said, ‘In a little while, you will not see me; again in a little while, you will see me’? Truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.
Let’s pray.
Let’s look at two important things about Joy and that is
JOY:
How is JOY expressed?
How is JOY developed?
Now I know everyone is rejoicing smelling the food, so I will be quick today.
HOW IS JOY EXPRESSED?
Preaching on joy can feel difficult, Because we see joy as an outward issue. And because it inward issue it’s hard to make real. It’s one thing to say, “In God’s presence there is fullness of joy.” It’s another thing entirely to show what that looks like in real life—on Monday morning, in hospital rooms, or in a prison cell.
Let me introduce you to someone you might not know—Brother Lawrence. He wasn’t a preacher or theologian. In fact, he wasn’t particularly educated. He worked in a monastery, but not as a priest. He was the cook.
Just picture this: A 17th-century Carmelite kitchen in France. Wooden tables. Cracked stone floors. Pots bubbling over open fire. The clatter of dishes. The heat. The noise. The endless grind of preparation. And in the middle of all that—joy.
Brother Lawrence found something many Christians never discover: he learned how to live in constant awareness of God’s presence. He called it “practicing the presence of God.” He didn’t just pray in the chapel—he prayed while peeling potatoes. He didn’t worship only during services—he worshipped as he scrubbed pans. And here’s the key: he said there was no difference to him between the time he spent on his knees in quiet devotion… and the time he spent elbow-deep in soapy water. Why? Because God was there in both places.
One of his most famous lines is this: “The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer… I possess God as tranquilly in the noise and clatter of my kitchen as if I were upon my knees before the Blessed Sacrament.” That is the joy of God’s presence. It’s not something that flickers on and off depending on your location or schedule. It’s not reserved for Sundays or silence or retreats. The presence of God is portable.
Brother Lawrence’s story reminds us: Joy doesn’t wait for a peaceful moment—it walks with you through every moment. Whether you’re scrubbing floors or solving problems, commuting or caregiving, if you learn to practice the presence of God, you can carry His joy with you wherever you go.
The sources of JOY are expressed by the well-known acronym: J-O-Y
J- JESUS
The inner happiness of a Christian’s life is based on the close personal relationship he has with the living Christ, from his daily walk with God, from the knowledge that he has been reconciled to God and is now as close personal friend of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
-Ps. 43:4
Then I will come to the altar of God,
to God, my greatest joy.
I will praise you with the lyre,
God, my God.
You reveal the path of life to me;
in your presence is abundant joy;
at your right hand are eternal pleasures.
-1 Pt. 1:8
Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy,
O- OTHERS
We also receive great joy from serving other people and seeing them grow in their relationship with Jesus through our ministry to them.
- 1 Thes. 2:19-20
For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? Indeed you are our glory and joy!
-3 Jn. 4
I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth.
-2 Cor. 8:2
During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
Y- YOU
The third source of joy for Christians is the recognition of who and what we are in Christ- Children of the King, forgiven of all our sin, joint heirs with Christ, inheritors or eternal life, ambassadors for Christ, gifted servants of the most high God, tabernacles of the Holy Spirit, etc.
So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you.
“In that day you will not ask me anything. Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
So our lives are filled with inner happiness when we are walking close with Jesus, pouring out our lives for others, and enjoying the blessing of who we are in Christ!
There are many different ways we can show our joy to God and others: singing, praising, giving thanks, weeping, shouting, smiling, giving, rejoicing, etc. But however we do it, we should DO it! There are too many long-faced unhappy-looking Christians.
If "The joy of the Lord is our strength" (Neh. 8:10), then we ought to reflect that joy where ever we go. Of course that doesn’t mean we’re going to go "bubbling" into the hospital room of someone who is seriously ill. Ecclesiastes tells us that there is "A time for sorrow." Romans tell us to "Weep with those who weep." Yet even in a "sorrowful situation," the inner happiness that comes from our relationship with God will shine through, bringing comfort and hope to those who are hurting.
HOW IS JOY DEVELOPED?
We’ve already seen three ways we can have greater joy:
1.) By developing a deeper relationship with Christ.
2.) By developing a deeper fellowship with others.
3.) By recognizing WHO we are in Christ and developing a deeper understanding of ourselves.
The main issue is that we are based on what is in front of us.
Over the past few decades, neuroscientists have started doing something fascinating: they’ve been putting people inside MRI machines—not just to study illness, but to observe what happens in the brain during prayer.
And you know what they’ve found? When believers engage in deep, personal prayer—especially when they’re not just talking to God but sensing His presence—the parts of the brain associated with joy, peace, and connection light up. Dopamine pathways get active. The frontal lobe—the part involved in focus and decision-making—gets sharper. And areas associated with stress? They go quiet.
There’s even a researcher named Dr. Andrew Newberg who’s spent years studying this. He found that people who regularly pray or meditate on God’s presence not only have more peace—they often describe feeling what can only be called joy. Not a shallow happiness, but a deep well-being that science can observe… but not explain away. Now here’s what’s beautiful: these effects aren’t tied to any prayer—they’re strongest when people are praying relationally. When they feel they’re in the presence of a loving God. When they’re not just reciting lines but drawing near.
That matches what Scripture has always said: “In your presence, there is fullness of joy.” Science may not be able to measure the Holy Spirit—but it’s discovering what Christians have known for centuries: when we draw near to God, something happens in our soul and our body. God made us this way. He designed us for joy—and joy flourishes in His presence.
Let’s not allow circumstances to dictate our joy- let’s receive it from God.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
OBEDIENCE AND DEPENDENCE
It is our responsibility to obey the commands we’ve outlined, yet at the same time it is impossible to "work up" inner gladness and delight. Ultimately, joy can only be produced by the Holy Spirit being IN us. We need to depend on Him to fill us up with the "Joy of the Lord."
