Abiding in Christ (6)

Introduction

We’ve talked about what it means to abide.

We’ve learned that abiding happens through His Word. That abiding is lived one day at a time. That abiding requires forsaking all. And that abiding always produces fruit.

But now we must ask the question:

What is the result of a life that truly abides in Christ?

Jesus did not call us to abide in Him simply so that we might become more disciplined, more informed, or even more productive.

He called us to abide in Him so that we might share in His very life — and with His life comes His joy.

A life that is fully surrendered to Christ becomes a life of overflowing joy.

As Christ takes greater possession of our hearts, we begin to share in His joy.

Just as a branch receives life from the vine, believers receive joy by remaining in Christ.

And this joy is not shallow happiness that depends on circumstances.

It is the deep, settled satisfaction of a heart that has found what it was created for.

Joy becomes the evidence of what truly satisfies us.

It reveals what we treasure.

And a joyful life becomes one of the strongest testimonies of God's love at work within us.

Because the joy of the Lord does something:

It strengthens the believer with confidence,

fills them with courage,

and teaches them patience.

With joy:

Work becomes lighter.

Burdens become bearable.

Trials lose their power to overwhelm us.

Christian joy does not eliminate sorrow —

but it allows us to be sorrowful outwardly,

yet always rejoicing inwardly.

This is the power of abiding in Christ:

His joy sustains us,

His life strengthens us,

and His presence overs every earthly hardship.

I. The Source of Full Joy

“These things have I spoken unto you…”

Joy is not produced — Joy is received.

Notice: Jesus ties their joy to what He has already spoken.

Which means Joy flows from:

Their Abiding in Him (John 15:4–5)

In His Word v.3

In His Love (John 15:9)

So joy is not:

circumstantial

emotional

personality-driven

manufactured

Joy comes from remaining connected to the source of the Joy

That’s why:

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” (Jeremiah 15:16)

Joy does not come from

trying harder (Galatians 3:3)

doing more (Luke 10:40–42)

feeling better

It comes from: Staying where God has planted you even when pruning hurts and fruit-bearing gets costly.

II. The Substance of Full Joy

“…that MY joy…”

Jesus does not offer

church joy

Sunday joy

things-are-going-my-way joy

But: Christ’s own joy.

Our joy is:

fragile

situational like Soloman found out

(Ecclesiastes 2:10–11 “And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”

reactive

His joy is:

unshakeable

eternal

rooted in the will of the Father

(who for the joy that was set before him)

Jesus had this joy:

when despised and rejected

when misunderstood

when betrayed

when facing the cross

Hebrews 12:2 tells us: “…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…”

So the joy He offers: is not temporary happiness.

It is

betrayal-surviving

storm-walking

crucifixion-tested

and resurrection proving

joy

III. The Stability of Full Joy

“…might remain in you…”

Joy that visits is called emotion.

Joy that remains is called abiding.

That word remain is the same word used repeatedly in John 15 for:

abide in the vine (v.4)

abide in His love (v.9)

abide in His word (v.7)

So joy is not something you chase.

It is something that is recieved because you stayed:

If we abide in Him, today, we can face tomorrow with joy

Because: He abides in Us

And what we thought was to much for us to handle

We know that…

The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

IV. The Satisfaction of Full Joy

“…that your joy might be FULL.”

Not:

partial

seasonal

Sunday-morning-only

But FULL:

Filled to the brim

Nothing missing

Nothing lacking

“In thy presence is fullness of joy…” (Psalm 16:11)

The world offers:

happiness that empties (John 4:13)

pleasure that fades (Hebrews 11:25)

moments that expire

But abiding in Christ brings forth:

Joy that survives loss (2 Corinthians 6:10 “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

Joy that outlives pain (James 1:2–3 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

Joy that sings in prison like Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25)

Joy that worships in storms like Paul in (Acts 27:35)

Final Challenge

we have learned what abiding is

how we abide through His Word

One day at a time

forsaking it all

so that ye may bear much fruit

Now knowing all this Jesus tells us

our joy might be full

Many believers live each day using their gifts without joy

Many preachers do ministry without joy

Many laymen serve without joy

and many sing without joy

Because: They have forgotten what abiding is

They have forgotten that His Word Keeps us abiding

They have forgotten that we must abide one day at a time

That they must forsake all and surrender to Him

If they want to bear much fruit.

Because You can be so busy for Christ that you get to busy for Him which results in not abiding in Him

which causes us to lose the joy that He has offered to us.

Joy is not found in:

fixing your life

changing your job

removing your enemies

Joy is found in: staying connected to the Vine (John 15:5)

The greatest evidence that you are abiding in Christ fully is not that life got easier or fruit production went up — its the fullness of your joy while serving Him and others