Jesus: The Center of My Joy

Introduction

As a pastor I am wanting to help people know God.

Question: How does a person know God?

To answer this question, I am drawn to the Bible.

As biblical scholar, Haddon Robinson notes, “the Bible is a book about God. It is not a religious book of advice about the “answers” we need about a happy marriage, work, or losing weight. Although the Scriptures reflect on many of those issues, they are above all about who God is and what God thinks and wills. I understand reality only if I have an appreciation for who he is and what he desires for his creation and from his creation.”

The Christian values God’s Word. In this church, we value God’s Word. And supremely, we value God’s Word because we want to know God.

When Jesus said in John 15:1

John 15:1–2 ESV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

What does this passage teach us about God?

RECAP: Last we I preached on this same passage of Scripture, with this focus on Jesus: The Center of Our Purpose. Abiding in Jesus is essential for the Christian life. Without abiding, there is no Christian life. NONE!

Abiding in Christ means that I remain connected to His presence, His power, and His precepts (The Word of God).

Today, I want us to took at this passage from a different angle. And more than anything, I want us to learn more about God today, and how our relationship with God (through Christ) changes everything.

So, let’s look at the end of this passage. Jesus gives one of the reason for this teaching.

John 15:11 ESV

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Jesus Invites the Believer to a Life of Joy.

What is joy?

Joy as a feeling—something has happened that results in an emotion of great happiness and delight.

Biblical Examples

The shepherd experienced joy when he found his lost sheep (Matthew 18:13).

The multitude felt it when Jesus healed a Jewish woman whom Satan had bound for 18 years (Luke 13:17).

The disciples returned to Jerusalem rejoicing after Jesus’ ascension (Luke 24:52).

Joy was also the feeling of the church at Antioch when its members heard the Jerusalem Council’s decision that they did not have to be circumcised to keep God’s law (Acts 15:31).

Paul mentioned his joy in hearing about the obedience of the Roman Christians (Romans 16:19).

Joy as an Action—There is joy that Scripture commands. That joy is action that can be engaged in regardless of how the person feels.

Proverbs 5:18 tells the reader to rejoice in the wife of his youth.

Christ instructed his disciples to rejoice when they were persecuted, reviled, and slandered (Matthew 5:11-12).

The apostle Paul commanded continuous rejoicing (Philippians 4:4).

James said Christians are to consider it all joy when they fall into various testings because such testings produce endurance (James 1:2).

Joy in adverse circumstances is possible only as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, who is present in every Christian.

The joy Jesus wants His follower (disciple) to experience is a joy that is full (no empty spaces, complete).

It is a joy of full alignment with God.

What we learn about God is that He loves us so much—and he wants us to experience real joy!

Question: How can we become fully aligned with God?

Joy Results in Obeying the Teachings of Jesus.

John 15:10 ESV

10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

Obedience is not to be equated with drudgery; it is all about joy.

Just as Jesus had great joy in obeying his Father even in the midst of opposition, so Christian will have joy in obedience.

Joy is hinged to our relationship with God. When acting in disobedience to Christ’s teachings, we will not have joy. We will be miserable.

To turn a life around from disobedience requires repentance!

Illustration: David and his adultery.

Psalm 51:3–4 ESV

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

Repentance:

Acknowledge your sin. View your sin from God’s perspective.

Confess your sin. Admit your guilt before God.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, change direction.

Psalm 51:10–12 ESV

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Receive forgiveness.

1 John 1:9 ESV

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

Only when we are in right relationship with God—aligned with His will—will we experience genuine joy.

What we learn about God is that His Word is for our benefit. He knows that trusting and obeying Him will bring true joy in our life. Disobedience wrecks joy!

Obedience and Joy is Focused on Glorifying God.

John 15:7–8 ESV

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

When I obey God and therefore experience the joy of the Lord, what is the result? God is glorified!

God is glorified not be praise and worship alone, but by his followers also bearing much fruit for the advancement of His kingdom on earth.

Fruit Bearing: Fruit is an image for good results coming from the life of a believer, in terms of bringing benefit to the lives of others and advancing the work of God in the world.

In other words, as we follow Jesus (imitating His example of loving people and loving God), God is honored—and people around us will see the value of believing in God.

We learn about God in that He created us for fellowship—and in that fellowship we were created to glorify Him. In that glory, we experience authentic joy!

Conclusion

Jesus is the center of the believer’s joy.

Jesus invites us to live a life filled with joy—not just a feeling, but action.

Jesus invites us to obey His teachings—which results in joy.

Jesus invites us to glorify God through obedience and joy.

This is the life of a healthy believer.

Are you healthy in your relationship with God?

One of the things that can make us spiritually sick is maximizing us and minimizing God!

When we focus this life on us—and what we want, we can easily lose sight at what brings us joy. Let’s change are perspective. Stop the focus on you—and gaze at the one who saved you by His grace.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

How would you define joy?

What do you think it means that joy is not just a feeling, joy can be an action?

How does obedience to Christ’s teachings result in joy for the believer?

What does glorifying God mean to you?