Joy Unmasked

Introduction

This evening we are starting a new series called unmasked. A series where we will walk through the Book of 1 John and unmask truths and lies. The goal is for us to solidify what we believe, strengthen our faith and be affirmed as Saints

Background- The author is the apostle John who is Jesus’ beloved disciple. The apostle John was known for providing concise reasons for writing a particular book and he achieved this by providing keys within his writings that reveal the purpose of the book. According to the Christ Centered Exposition Commentary- In 1 John, there are four keys that help us unlock this much-beloved letter. In 1 John 1:4, John says he wrote to promote full joy in the family of God. In 2:1 he says he wrote to prevent sin in the family of God. In 2:26 he says he wrote to protect from false teachers in the family of God. And in 5:13 he says his purpose was to provide assurance of salvation in the family of God.

Back to Basics

ILLUSTRATION

In martial arts there is usually a progression that occurs throughout the journey. The progression and growth is represented by the awarding of belt colors. For beginners, the journey commences with the basics. They give you a white belt and start teaching you the fundamentals that are the basics you continue to build upon as you continue the journey. How reasonable would it be for someone to perform the techniques of a black belt with the same effectiveness and fluidity? Or how effective would it be for someone to lift weights or perform specific exercises considered to be advanced when they are just starting? Highly unlikely! And the same goes for Christianity

John was the last surviving apostle when he penned this epistle and was dealing the most dangerous heresy to threaten the church at his time, Gnosticism

Gnosticism- believed that people could only be saved through revealed knowledge, or γνῶσις (gnōsis).

This heresy had two basic forms that John battled against during his time. One that asserted that Jesus’ physical body was not real but only seemed to be physical

Read 1:1- John in this verse reminds his readers that he was not just an eye witness but had touched Jesus

Second attack was that Christ’s spirit descended on the human Jesus at His baptism but left him at his crucifixion. This was taught by a man named Cerinthus

In 1:1 is a clear reference to the Gospel of John 1 “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God verse 14- the word became flesh and dwelt among us

Why is this important to us? 2 reasons. First reason- As John MacArthur has so eloquently stated, “Such heretical views destroy not only the true humanity of Jesus, but also the atonement, for Jesus must not only have been truly God, but also the truly human (and physically real) man who actually suffered and died upon the cross in order to be the acceptable substitutionary sacrifice for sin

(cf. Heb. 2:14–17). 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

The Biblical view of Jesus affirms His complete humanity and full deity

Second reason- The Gnostic idea was also that matter was evil and only spirit was good led to the idea that that sin committed in the physical body did not matter; absolute indulgence in immorality was permissible; one could deny sin even existed (1:8–10) and disregard God’s law (3:4).

Therefore John in this Epistle is calling all to recall the fundamentals of the faith! The Basics of Christianity! How can we move too much deeper things without understanding the fundamental truth of Jesus’ divine deity and full humanity. When all of Christianity stands on Him and this truth.

If anyone opposes this teaching they are a false teacher and not a true Christian

For Christians having assurance in their faith and knowing the basics of Christianity lead to complete joy

JOY FULL

Read verse 4- John reassures them that what they believe is the truth and not a lie. And in doing so, his desire was for them to have joy and not become upset with the false teachings of Gnosticism

John also reminds his audience of who Jesus was and did for them to in order to expose the false teachings that may look desirable to the eye at first (the spirit was good led to the idea that that sin committed in the physical body did not matter) but in the end it all leads to heartache, pain and destruction. You may find temporary satisfaction but it is exactly what I said temporary and leaves u empty again

There is also a clear distinction here I believe John is drawing our attention to the word Joy as supposed to happiness. Happiness is what you predominantly hear today but not necessarily joy

Let’s first look at the definition of Joy here in the text and contrast that with happiness

WHAT IS JOY?

Joy (שִׂמְחָה, simchah; χαρά, chara). Closely related to gladness and happiness, although joy is more a state of being than an emotion; a result of choice. One of the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22–23). Having joy is part of the experience of being a Christian.

The experience of gladness. In the nt, the term chara often denotes a primary response to the reception of the ultimate redemption of people and the universe. It is also people experiencing God’s presence by the Holy Spirit. Joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit’s presence and work in the lives of believers (Gal 5:22). Joy enables believers to endure trials and suffering of the Christian life. The Thessalonians received the Word “with much suffering and with the joy of the Holy Spirit,” which probably means joy given by the Holy Spirit (1 Thess 1:6).

WORLDLY JOY

I went online and conducted research. Overwhelmingly so, i found that most articles, people and professionals tend to separate Joy and happiness. If you recall, i stated above that although they are not the same they are closely related. However, joy was towards the bottom of the list and not as mentioned. On the contrary the statistical surveys showed that happiness is at the top of the list of what people are primarily searching for in life (And that would make sense since we are wired to experience Joy, gladness and happiness)

Westminister Shorter catechism- The chief purpose for which man is made is to glorify God,[a] and to enjoy him for ever.[b]

Only as we fulfil the purpose for which God made us can we be happy.

The World cannot offer complete fulfillment of our purpose just temporary happiness and that is why people continue searching (Even Christians)

The huff post writes, Happiness is the #1 missing element mentioned by Americans

The Biggest challenge in not achieving happiness- “Not knowing what to do?

How to we get Joy? (It’s a choice)

As i mentioned Joy is a fruit of the Spirit so first requirement is to belong to God but I have come across Christians who have proper belief in who Jesus is and has done but are miserable

If you recall i mentioned earlier joy comes from having assurance of your faith and also is a choice!

A choice? Yes and John reveals that to us here in these verses Let’s re-read our passage

Joy comes from Christian basics such as right belief in Jesus and fellowship

the choice of fellowshipping with people and fellowshipping with God because that is the purpose you were created for

Your purpose your design was to live in fellowship! In relationships! and in those relationships proclaim to others what you have received from Christ, eternal live (Verse 2)

There is not secret formula to Christianity or Humanity

All people were created by God for God

All people were created to live and fellowship

All people were created to glorify God in all things and proclaim His name

APPLICATION

In the world you tend to hear bu if God just wants you to be happy then why not x? But reading this portion of scripture and seeing the intentional use of Johns word Joy (שִׂמְחָה, simchah; χαρά, chara). We see that Satan slightly twists the message by just using the word happy. Although Joy and happiness are closely related Joy is more a state of being than an emotion; a result of choice. One of the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22–23). Having joy is part of the experience of being a Christian.

Because most people associate happiness as the ultimate pursuit then we see how it gets twisted in perverted into many distortions

For example, I don’t like singling out a particular sin but in this case I will try to shed light on the point I am making. In the world and in the Christian community there has been fiery debates as to whether or not homosexuality is a choice or whether you are prone to it by design (like you were born with it)

In the name of happiness people just want to love and therefore if they feel naturally inclined to same sex it is ok because God wants me to be happy and he made me this way.

First, I am not an expert that can comment whether or not people are born with certain inclinations, however, I can say we are born sinful and sin does distort our natural abode.

Nevertheless, if you carry our homosexual relationships you are making a choice to do so because your perception of happiness and love is distorted and not coming from the source which is God and is design of fulfilling your purpose in fellowship with him and others.

Take for instance the studies of violent behavior. According to Science violence is a natural tendency for some people due to the formation of certain parts of the brain etc.. So if that’s me should i go and start murdering people to be happy because its a natural inclination? Or people who are drawn to sexual desires since science says i have a tendency to want to sleep with multiple women should i do that for happiness?

NO! I make the choice to die to those desires because I know they are not pleasing to God and they are not the true source of Joy.

My point is we all have choices we make on a daily basis. Choices such as to fellowship with God and His people or not

The choice to resist our natural inclinations and desires to search for a temporary happiness in the things of this world

ILLUSTRATION

In marriages when there is infidelity or divorce, what do you typically hear people say their reason was? We were no longer happy? Or, I just want to be happy and life is short. So I want to find someone I am happy with.

This is the lie of the evil one God doesn’t want us to be happy, He wants us to have complete joy. Joy that we can have in the middle of trouble, sickness, or the lost of a loved one. Joy to help us persevere till the end. Joy that allows you to enjoy your family, your wife, children, parents, relationships without burdening them to be the source of your happiness.

So Next time you find yourself searching or entertaining the temporary pleasures remind yourself of this 1 John gave you the formula to make Joy complete. The formula is to fellowship with Him, His people, and to stand on the basics because everything else is a twisted version and a lie

 References

Akin, Dr. Daniel L. (2106-02-07T01:28:15). Exalting Jesus in 1,2,3 John (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) (Kindle Locations 130-136). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

The New International Version. (2011). (1 Jn 1:1). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Wilson, Jared C. (2020-01-13T22:58:59). The Gospel According to Satan . Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. Have you found yourself in this predicament?

MacArthur, John F. . The MacArthur Bible Handbook (p. 893). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.