The Joy of Serving Jesus

Luke 10:17-24

Joy is one of the great themes of the Christian life, but not all joy is the same.

There is joy in accomplishment, like when a student finally finishes a hard exam.

There is joy in recognition, like when an employee is promoted at work.

There is joy in victory, like when a team wins a championship after months of practice.

All of these are real, but they are also temporary.

Grades fade, jobs change, and trophies gather dust.

The disciples in Luke 10 were experiencing a different kind of joy.

They had just returned from their mission, and they were thrilled at the results.

Imagine their excitement as they told Jesus, “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name!”

They had seen firsthand that the authority of Christ was greater than the power of Satan.

That would have been thrilling.

It’s no wonder they came back rejoicing.

But Jesus knew something they didn’t fully understand yet.

He knew their joy needed to be rooted deeper than what they had just experienced.

Why?

Because the thrill of a great day in ministry can be followed by the discouragement of a hard day in ministry.

One moment you are on the mountaintop, the next moment you are walking through a valley.

If your joy is built only on what you accomplish, then your joy will rise and fall with your circumstances.

Jesus redirected His disciples to a joy that does not fade.

He pointed them away from their victories and toward His greater victory.

He reminded them that the deepest source of joy is not in what we do for Him, but in what He has done for us.

In 1815, when the Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, messengers were sent back to England with the news.

The message was sent in stages across the English Channel, but because of heavy fog, only part of the signal was seen.

The message read: “Wellington defeated…” and then the fog rolled in.

The people thought Britain had lost, and their joy turned into despair.

But when the fog lifted, the full message was revealed: “Wellington defeated Napoleon.”

Suddenly, sorrow was turned into rejoicing.

In the same way, the disciples saw a glimpse of victory, but Jesus reminded them that the full message of joy comes not from partial victories here and now, but from the greater victory of salvation and the revelation of God’s plan.

Tonight we will follow His steps in this passage and discover where lasting joy is found.

I. Joy in Submitting to Christ’s Authority

17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

The disciples returned exhilarated by what happened through them.

Jesus redirected them to remember Who it happened through.

Lasting joy grows when we serve under Christ’s authority, not in our own ability.

A. The Rejoicing of the Disciples

They returned with joy, saying in verse 17, “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.”

Their testimony centers on “thy name,” not “our strength,” which reveals the right direction of their praise.

It is good to rejoice in fruit, but it is better to rejoice in the Root.

Any power we experience is derivative, delegated, and dependent on Christ.

After Jesus is gone to heaven, we see that Peter did actually get it!

Acts 3:12 KJV

12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

Gospel power points away from the servant and toward the Savior.

John 15:5 KJV

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Abiding produces ability, and apart from Christ our efforts are empty.

J. C. Ryle said, “The best of men are only men at their best.”

Keep your eyes on Christ when God uses you, and you will not trip over your own shadow.

A spotlight has no glory of its own.

Its value is in how well it aims light at the subject on stage.

In ministry we are the spotlight, not the star, and Christ must remain center stage.

B. The Revelation of the Savior

Verse 18 says, “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”

Jesus locates their momentary victories within His divine victory.

What they saw on earth echoed what He knows from eternity.

Our skirmishes matter, but they make sense only in light of Christ’s decisive triumph.

1 John 3:8 KJV

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Every broken chain in ministry is proof that Calvary still conquers.

Colossians 2:15 KJV

15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

The cross is the parade of victory, not a pause in defeat.

Preach the victory of the cross to your fear until your fear falls like lightning.

When Allied forces secured the beachhead on D-Day, the war was not yet ended, but the outcome was effectively decided.

Calvary is the believer’s D-Day.

We still face battles, but the war’s direction is irreversible under Christ’s command.

C. The Resources of the Saints

Verse 19 says, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions… and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

This is delegated authority with divine protection for the mission God assigns.

It is not a promise of ease, but a promise of enablement and ultimate safety within God’s will.

Christ’s commission never lacks Christ’s provision.

Ephesians 6:10–11 KJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Strength is borrowed from the Lord, and stability is built by His armor.

Luke 22:31–32 KJV

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

The intercession of Christ is greater than the intention of Satan.

A. W. Tozer observed, “God is looking for those with whom He can do the impossible.”

Are you willing to be used by God to do the impossible?

Availability to Christ outruns ability for Christ.

A police officer steps into traffic and raises a hand.

The cars stop, not because of the officer’s personal strength, but because of the authority of the badge behind the hand.

In spiritual conflict we raise the name of Jesus, and the enemy yields to the authority behind the servant.

Rejoicing in what God does through us is good.

But Jesus now teaches that rejoicing in what God has done for us is greater.

II. Joy in Standing in Our Salvation

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

After affirming their authority, Jesus immediately shifted their perspective.

He reminded them that the greatest joy is not in what they did for Him, but in what He has done for them.

A. The Warning of Misplaced Joy

Verse 20 says, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you.”

Jesus was not rebuking their joy, but redirecting it.

There is a danger in tying our joy to success, results, or recognition.

If your joy rises when the ministry is fruitful but falls when the ministry is hard, your joy is misplaced.

Jeremiah 9:23 KJV

23 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Neither let the mighty man glory in his might, Let not the rich man glory in his riches:

Joy built on self-achievement collapses when circumstances crumble.

Habakkuk 3:17–18 KJV

17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labour of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no meat; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The nation of Judah was experiencing judgment from the Lord so that even their produce was failing.

But even when outward blessings fail, inward joy remains when it rests in God Himself.

An Olympic athlete may train for years, only to lose a race by a fraction of a second.

If their identity is tied only to medals, defeat destroys them.

But if their identity is rooted deeper, they can endure the loss without losing joy.

In the same way, Christians must not tie their joy to victories that come and go.

B. The Wonder of a Written Name

“But rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

Jesus directed them to the unshakable foundation of their joy: salvation.

The word “written” suggests permanence and certainty.

God’s record is not kept in pencil; it cannot be erased by failure or opposition.

Philippians 4:3 — Paul speaks of those “whose names are in the book of life.”

Our greatest joy is not in what we accomplish, but in being known by God as His own.

Revelation 21:27 — “…They which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

If your name is in the Lamb’s book, your future is secure and your joy is settled.

D. L. Moody once said, “If you are saved, you ought to be the happiest person on earth.”

No matter what else happens, salvation gives you a reason to rejoice every single day.

A championship trophy eventually tarnishes or is broken, but a name written in heaven never fades.

One day all of earth’s awards will gather dust, but heaven’s registry will still stand.

Jesus has now redirected their focus.

Joy is not to be anchored in power, performance, or position, but in salvation.

And then Jesus demonstrates this truth Himself as He turns His heart toward the Father.

III. Joy in Seeing God’s Revelation

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. 22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. 23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

After teaching His disciples about the true source of joy, Jesus demonstrated it Himself.

He rejoiced in spirit and turned His heart upward to the Father.

Here we see where lasting joy is anchored — in the plan and revelation of God.

A. The Rejoicing in the Spirit

Verse 21 says, “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father…”

This is one of the few times in the Gospels where we are told that Jesus openly rejoiced.

His joy was not rooted in circumstances, but in the Father’s wise plan of revealing truth.

If Jesus found joy in the Father’s plan, even when many rejected Him, then so should we.

Psalm 118:24 KJV

24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Rejoicing is a choice rooted in God’s sovereignty, not in man’s success.

Spurgeon said, “The sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which the child of God rests his head at night.”

When you don’t understand what God is doing, trust His wisdom and rest in His joy.

A child may not understand why a parent insists on bitter medicine, but the child can trust the parent’s love.

So too, God’s plan may be hidden, but His heart is always good.

B. The Relationship with the Father

vv. 22–23 “All things are delivered to me of my Father.”

Here Jesus declared the unique, intimate relationship He shares with the Father.

No one knows the Father except the Son, and no one knows the Son except the Father.

True knowledge of God comes only through Jesus Christ.

John 14:6 KJV

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Religion without Christ cannot bring us to God.

Only through Christ do we see the Father clearly.

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Because Jesus reveals the Father, we can live in relationship, not just in religion.

A. W. Pink wrote, “To know God is the highest privilege, and to know Him through Christ is the only way.”

If you tried to look directly at the sun, the light would overwhelm you.

But when filtered through a lens, you can see clearly without being blinded.

In the same way, Jesus is the lens through whom we see the Father clearly and safely.

C. The Reward of Revelation

v. 23 says, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see.”

Jesus reminded His disciples of their privilege.

Prophets and kings had longed for what they were seeing and hearing.

We are blessed beyond measure to live on this side of the cross, with the full revelation of God in Christ.

1 Peter 1:10–12 — The prophets

1 Peter 1:10–12 KJV

10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

What they anticipated, we experience.

We must not take lightly what God has graciously revealed.

Joy grows as we treasure the grace we have received in Christ.

I remember when I was a teenager we went camping with all teenage boys in a canyon along the Guadalupe river in Texas.

We slept on the banks of the river that night.

I hardly slept a wink.

I lay there on my hard rock bed, literally, wondering if I would get any sleep at all.

At some point I gave up on sleep and just waited for morning.

At last the first rays break forth, and the long night is over.

I got some coffee, had my fun and then slept the entire way home.

That was the longing of the prophets, but in Christ the full sunrise has come.

The disciples had rejoiced in ministry victories, but Jesus lifted their eyes to a far greater joy — the salvation of their souls and the revelation of God through Him.

Conclusion

The disciples returned from their mission overflowing with excitement.

They rejoiced in what they had accomplished, but Jesus reminded them that the deeper joy was in what He had accomplished.

He taught them that true joy is not found in victories that rise and fall, but in salvation that never fades.

He showed them that lasting joy is not rooted in circumstances, but in God’s revelation and relationship with His children.

Following His steps means learning to anchor our joy where Jesus anchored His — in the Father’s plan, the Father’s presence, and the Father’s promise.

Our joy will not last if it is built on numbers, applause, or temporary success.

But our joy will endure if it is built on salvation and the revelation of God in Christ.

During the Great Depression, people lost everything almost overnight — jobs, homes, and even banks collapsed.

One wealthy man lost his fortune and was asked how he could still smile while standing in front of his empty store.

He said, “The Depression may have taken my money, but it cannot touch my salvation. My name is still written in heaven.”

That is the kind of joy Jesus is teaching here.

It is a joy that hardship cannot steal, that Satan cannot shake, and that time cannot erase.

When you follow Christ’s steps, you discover a joy deeper than feelings and stronger than circumstances.

You discover a joy that rests not in who you are, but in Whose you are.

You discover a joy that is secure because your name is written in heaven.

So I ask you — where is your joy anchored tonight?

If it is in your work, your health, or your circumstances, it will rise and fall.

But if it is in Christ, it will last forever.

Believer, maybe you need to bring your misplaced joys back to the Lord and renew your joy in Him.

And friend, if you do not know Christ, tonight you can place your trust in Him and rejoice in the salvation of your soul.

Follow His steps, and you will find joy that never fades.