Abounding Joy

Intro

- Illustration- Marie Kondo- “spark joy”?

o “In this method, your feelings are the standard for decision making – specifically, knowing what sparks joy. To determine this when tidying, the key is to pick up each object one at a time, and ask yourself quietly, “Does this spark joy?” Pay attention to how your body responds. Joy is personal, so everyone will experience it differently; Marie describes it as “…a little thrill, as if the cells in your body are slowly rising.”

o Now, this may very well be a great way to get rid of unnecessary junk and clean the house up a bit, but the problem is that many people apply this philosophy to how they live their lives

- People say that you should pursue whatever makes you happy, whatever gives you joy

o This has led to a world that pursues both good things and bad

o Led some to help the world in immeasurable ways and others to commit terrible crimes- all in the pursuit of joy

- Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

- Our pursuit of joy often ends in emptiness, but when we find our joy in what God has done for us, our joy will never end.

What is Joy- understanding the true meaning of joy

- Palau boat illustration- Joy- “I’ve got the joy…”

A. Feeling and action

1. Now I know that joy isn’t a verb. You can’t joy something, but there is an aspect of joy that goes beyond just how something makes me feel, I can choose to have joy

B. Constant

1. Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

2. 1 Thess. 5:16 (if you want to start memorizing, you can start with this verse to build your confidence) Rejoice always

C. Mark of a true Christian

1. Joy ought to define us

2. If we claim to be followers of Christ, joy is a necessary part of our lives

3. Parents saying to their kids- you will enjoy this! You will have fun!

D. Where do we find it?

1. Joy in humility

a. Isaiah 29:19 The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord

2. Joy in faithfulness

a. Matthew 25:21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.

3. Joy in others

a. Paul writing to the Christians in Thessalonica- 1 Thess. 2:19-20 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

b. Pouring our lives into others, seeing them grow, seeing God work in their lives

c. Prov. 23:24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.

- But these are temporary- we think much of ourselves, we mess up, people let us down

- If our joy is in these things alone, how could it be constant like scripture tells us?

True and Lasting Joy is Found only in the Gospel

A. Joy in victory

1. Old Testament- Joy is often tied to victory in battle

2. Our salvation is sure!

a. Luke 10:20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

B. Joy in knowing God

1. Rom. 15:13- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

C. Joy in God’s presence

1. Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

2. Psalm 21:6 For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.

3. Psalm 137:6- The Jews are in exile, and their captors wanted them to rejoice and sing and embrace their new home, but they could not because their joy was found somewhere else. Their joy was found in something else

a. The things of this world will not bring us the joy that we find in God's presence- and we must be careful not to wander off seeking joy in these things

4. Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.

Keeping Our Joy When Things aren’t Joyful

A. We can rejoice in difficult times knowing that Trials strengthen us

1. Workout illustration

2. James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

B. We can rejoice in difficult times knowing that Heaven awaits us

1. Childbirth illustration

a. John 16:20-22 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

2. Jesus’s own example

a. Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

3. "Christian joy is no mere gaiety that knows no gloom, but is the result of the triumph of faith over adverse and trying circumstances, which, instead of hindering, actually enhance it"- D. Miall Edwards

Conclusion

- So as we look forward to celebrating the coming of our Savior, let us remember the message of the angel, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

- The world is looking for joy, and often they are looking for it in all the wrong places. The beauty of the Gospel is that it brings the only true and lasting joy that we can experience in this life.

So What

- Where are you searching for joy?

- Are you marked by joy as a follower of Jesus?

- When you face trials, are you running to the joy of God’s presence