Complete Joy! [John 15:9-11 NIV]

Text: John 15:9-11

Giving honor to God, to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! To my pastor in his absence, to the assistant to the pastor, all the ministers, and to you the people of God!

The text as written in the NIV reads, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in My love. v.10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and I remain in His love. v.11 I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Our title for this afternoon’s message is “Complete Joy.” Let us pray.

Complete: From the Greek word, Pleroo (long e and o) meaning to fill up as a valley to supply, to fulfill, complete or accomplish.

John 15:9–11

Theme: Complete joy is found in remaining in Christ’s love, obeying His Word, and receiving His joy.

INTRODUCTION: “WHAT ARE YOU STILL LOOKING FOR?”

Church, let me ask you a question: What would it take to make you completely happy? More money? A better job? A better relationship?

Children doing what you tell them to do? Better health? A bigger house? One more accomplishment? We live in a world constantly telling us, “You need more.” And yet people have more things than ever and still ask: “Why am I not happy?”

The TV tells us we need more food, more money, more clothes, more relationships, bigger homes, and bigger bank accounts! The world makes us believe that we are in need of more and how can we ever believe or know what is enough. And it leads one to NEVER know complete joy in a way that lasts. It’s funny, we are always chasing happiness, like it’s the be all to end all, but do we ever think about joy?

Because happiness and joy are not the same thing. Happiness depends on what happens. Joy: depends on Who holds you when life happens!!!

And that's why this text is so powerful!!! We are talking about not just having happiness, but COMPLETE JOY!!!

So how do we experience this complete joy? I believe that our text reveals 3 things:

“I don't want you spiritually empty. I want My joy to fill you.”

1. REMAIN IN HIS LOVE — THE SOURCE OF JOY

Verse 9:John 15:9

Here in the text, we are in the middle of a discourse between Jesus and His apostles that began in Ch. 13. Jesus had shown them love by washing their feet and then let them know that He would be betrayed, that Peter would deny Him 3 times and that He would die!

Jesus said: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” Notice where Jesus begins. He doesn't talk about what we must do. He begins with what He has already done: Jesus said— “I have loved you.”

CAN I LET YOU KNOW THAT JESUS LOVES YOU!!! That's good news!!!! Amen?

Jesus doesn't just tolerate us, He doesn't just put up with us!! Jesus loves us!!! And the text says Jesus told them: “Remain in My love.”

The word ‘remain’ means: to stay, abide, dwell, continue.

Jesus is saying: Stay here with Him! TAKE JESUS WITH YOU-EVERYWHERE YOU GO!!! Don't just visit His love on Sunday!!! Don't run to Him only when you're in trouble. We’ve got to stay connected to Him!!!

Because in this world, when everything else changes: People, circumstances, your money changes. and your health may change!!! BUT THANKS BE TO GOD-JESUS REMAINS THE SAME: YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER!!!!

So if your joy is connected to things that change, your joy will constantly rise and fall!! But when your joy is rooted in Jesus, you can say:

“My circumstances may change, but my Savior does not!”

And some of us are trying to live the Christian life without staying connected to Christ.

Jesus says: “Abide in Me.” When you're overwhelmed—Remain in His love.

When you're disappointed—Remain in His love.

When people walk away—Remain in His love.

When you don't understand—Remain in His love.

Our circumstances may change—.His love does not.

That's where complete joy begins.

2. OBEY HIS WORD — THE PATH TO JOY

John 15:10

Jesus continues:“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love…”

Now Jesus connects love and obedience. Biblical love isn't just something we feel. Love changes how we live. Jesus isn't saying obedience earns His love. He's saying obedience keeps us walking in the relationship He has given us. God's commands aren't designed to ruin our lives. They're designed to protect us, direct us, and develop us.

Sometimes God's “no” is protecting you. Sometimes His “wait” is preparing you. Sometimes His “let it go” is protecting your peace.

Sometimes His “forgive” is freeing your heart. Sometimes His “serve” is leading you into purpose. Think about guardrails on a highway.

A guardrail isn't there because somebody wants to keep you from enjoying the road.

It's there because somebody knows what's beyond the edge.

The guardrail says, “Stay on the road.”

God's Word does the same thing. The world says: “Do whatever feels good.”

Jesus says: “Follow My Word.” The world says: “Get even.”

Jesus says: “Forgive.” The world says: “Put yourself first.” Jesus says: “Serve.”

So here's the question: What has God already told you to do?

Maybe you need to forgive. Maybe you need to apologize. Maybe you need to stop compromising. Maybe you need to return to prayer. Maybe you need to get back into God's Word. Maybe you need to surrender something you've been trying to control. We don't need another word if we aren't obeying the Word we've already received.

Young people need the Word. Parents need the Word. Seasoned saints need the Word. Every generation needs the Word. Because obedience isn't about being controlled. It's about staying connected.

3. RECEIVE HIS JOY — THE FULFILLMENT OF JOY

John 15:11

Now Jesus tells us why He said all of this: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

There it is: Complete joy.

But notice Jesus doesn't simply say, “your joy.” He says: “My joy.”

Jesus wants His joy in us. And that's powerful because Jesus had joy even though He knew the cross was coming.

His joy wasn't based on easy circumstances. His joy was rooted in His relationship with the Father and His obedience to the Father's will.

And Jesus says: “I want that kind of joy in you.” Now, complete joy does not mean you never cry. It doesn't mean you never grieve. It doesn't mean you won't have bad days.

Complete joy means sorrow doesn't get the final word.

You can cry—and still have joy.

You can grieve—and still have joy.

You can be disappointed—and still have joy.

You can walk through the valley—and still have joy.

Why? Because Jesus is still with you!

A tree with deep roots can bend in a storm without being uprooted.

The wind may shake it. The branches may move. But the roots hold.

That's what happens when your life is rooted in Christ.

The storm may shake you, but it doesn't have to uproot you. So stop asking: “What do I need to get to make me happy?”

Start asking: “What do I need to surrender so Christ's joy can fill me?”

You may not have everything you want. But you have Jesus.

You may not understand everything. But you have Jesus.

You may not know what tomorrow holds. But you have Jesus.

And when Jesus is the center of your life—your joy can be complete.

CHRIST-CENTERED CLOSE:

“I STILL HAVE JOY!”

Church, let me close here. Jesus said: “I want My joy to be in you.”

But how can He give us His joy? Because He was willing to go to the cross.

He knew betrayal was coming. He knew suffering was coming. He knew Calvary was coming. And still— He loved us.

Still—He obeyed the Father.

Still—He went to the cross.

They hung Him high. They stretched Him wide. They nailed His hands.

They pierced His feet. And He died. But that's not how the story ends!

Early—Sunday morning!

Jesus got up! With all power in His hands!

And because He got up— I can have joy!

Because He got up—I can have hope!

Because He got up—I don't have to live empty!

Because He got up—MY JOY CAN BE COMPLETE!

I've learned something:

Complete joy doesn't mean I have everything I want. It means I've discovered that Jesus is everything I need!

I may not have everything—

BUT I HAVE JESUS!

I may not understand everything—

BUT I HAVE JESUS!

I've cried some tears—

BUT I HAVE JESUS!

I've walked through some storms—

BUT I HAVE JESUS!

I've had some disappointments—

BUT I HAVE JESUS!

And because I have Jesus—

I STILL HAVE JOY!

When the money is low—I STILL HAVE JOY!

When people walk away—I STILL HAVE JOY!

When doors close—I STILL HAVE JOY!

When prayers take longer than expected—I STILL HAVE JOY!

Why? Because my joy isn't built on what I have.

My joy is built on—

WHO I HAVE!

And I have Jesus! Jesus is my strength! Jesus is my peace! Jesus is my hope! Jesus is my salvation! Jesus is my keeper! Jesus is my way-maker!

And Jesus is—

THE CENTER OF MY JOY!

So I'm going to remain in His love! I'm going to obey His Word! I'm going to receive His joy! Because Jesus said: “My joy may be in you.”

And when His joy gets inside of you—

You can smile through the tears!

You can stand when life knocks you down!

You can keep walking when the road gets rough!

You can keep believing when you cannot see!

You can keep praying when the answer hasn't come!

You can keep trusting when you don't understand!

Because you've got something the world cannot give you—

COMPLETE JOY!

And if you know Jesus is your joy—Give Him praise!

If He's kept you—Give Him praise!

If He's carried you—Give Him praise!

If He's made a way—Give Him praise!

Because the world didn't give you this joy—

AND THE WORLD CAN'T TAKE IT AWAY!

I have—COMPLETE JOY!

Because I've got—JESUS!

When I have Jesus—I HAVE HOPE!

When I have Jesus—I HAVE PEACE!

When I have Jesus—I HAVE JOY!

And when I have Jesus—

MY JOY IS COMPLETE!

Somebody shout:

“JESUS IS THE CENTER OF MY JOY!”

One more time—

“JESUS IS THE CENTER OF MY JOY!”

Now give Him the praise He deserves!

He loved us!

He saved us!

He kept us!

He died for us!

He rose for us!

And He promised us:

“My joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete!”

HALLELUJAH!

AMEN!

I listen to all kinds of music-from classical to gospel and even rap. There is an R&B songstress named Kelly Price; some of you may have heard of her. And on her Soul of a Woman CD, there is a song called, “You Complete Me.” And this is a duet between Price and a male singer who describe how as a couple in a relationship had separated. And they go on to describe how there was no peace for them apart from each other. They sung of how they searched and searched for others they could love and reach the depths of love that they had experienced with one another I the past. She sang with vigor and passion that the man that she loves “completed her!”

It’s a nice a nice enough song, great beat, BUT WRONG MESSAGE!” Yet, the world thinks in this way. It is obvious by what we see on TV, everyone is after something more!

Oh, imagine how you would feel to find out from a dear friend or family member that he or she would be treated as Jesus described in John 13? Who wants to treat someone they love like that? Jesus knew their hearts were sad to hear these things from Him and Jesus then spends the entire 14th chapter comforting and reassuring the apostles.

These preceding verses are key in providing context to the message today.

Verse 9 lets us know that Jesus has loved us just as God the Father has loved Jesus. This is important for us to know and bear witness to others who refuse to believe that Jesus is not only God’s Son, but was God manifested in the flesh! Jesus’ love is God’s love and God’s love is Jesus’ love. As Jesus said in John 10:30, “I and the Father are One.” Jesus tells us we must remain in His love! The Word tells us that if man remains in Christ and Christ in Him, he will bear much fruit, and apart from Christ you can do nothing!

In another translation, the verse says if we abide in Christ He will abide in us! The word “abide” comes from the Greek word “Meno” which means to remain—to dwell, endure, persevere, to stand firm or be steadfast!

If we stick with Jesus—He’ll stick with us! If we don’t quit Jesus, then He won’t quit us! And believe me; we don’t want to take a chance of Jesus quitting us! Remember, Jesus said, “apart from Me, you can do nothing!”

Do you know that our God is a God of decency and order, and disorder and disobedience is not apart of the Christian life! We can all see the result of running around living without order and in disobedience!

But we have not been left to our own devices! Jesus has provided us with commands by which to live a successful Christian life that will give rise to complete joy! If we obey Jesus’ commands, we will remain in His love! If you are interested in complete joy, you must obey His commands! To obey is better than sacrifice! The Great Commission challenges us to obey everything Jesus has commanded and Jesus asserts in John 14:23 indicates that if we love Jesus, we will obey His teaching! Are you willing to obey Jesus for complete joy?

If we obey Jesus we will remain in His love just as He has obeyed His Father and remained in the Father’s love. Jesus has never asked us to do more than He wasn’t willing to do Himself! Jesus wants us to have COMPLETE JOY!

You know, you got to love Jesus! Amen? Who else in the heavens or on earth can love us like Jesus does! Jesus loves us so much that all He has told us is so that HIS JOY MAY BE IN US AND THAT OUR JOY MAY BE COMPLETE!!

Have you ever considered joy? How many of you have it? But if you have it, do you know for sure that you have complete joy? Do you have that deep feeling of peace, elation, and fulfillment that ONLY COMES FROM KNOWING AND SERVING GOD!

Or do you have the fleeting and temporary happy feelings of self-indulgent pleasure seeking?

GOD KNOWS WHAT TRUE AND COMPLETE JOY IS AND WANTS HIS PEOPLE TO KNOW COMPLETE JOY! GOD BROUGHT HIS JOY INTO FOCUS WHEN HE BROUGHT JESUS INTO THIS WORLD. AND THIS JOY BECAME COMPLETE WHEN GOD GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE!

Jesus did all this:

So that we could leave the foolishness of life behind!

So that we can live in this world and not be of this world!

So that we can overcome the sin that so easily besets us!

So that when we are weak, the Holy Spirit can make us strong!

So that we can bear much fruit!

So that we can press on, toward the mark, of the high calling!

All this, so that your joy, my joy, our children’s joy may be complete!

I’m so glad that Jesus is the center of my joy!

I’m so glad, that all that’s good and perfect comes from Him! Jesus is the heart of my contentment, He’s hope for all I do!

JESUS IS THE CENTER OF MY JOY!

JESUS TOLD US ALL THIS SO THAT WE MAY HAVE COMPLETE JOY!