MAIN TEXT: John 15: 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Joy refers to a deep and abiding inner rejoicing for those who abide in Christ. “Keep my commandments… that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:10–11).
The joy of the LORD or the SPIRIT does not depend on outward circumstances (prosperity, health, popularity, etc); it rests in God’s sovereign control of ALL THINGS.
There is nothing you have that can give you eternal value and joy unless it is from God and unless in it God is expressly glorified – life, living, food, drink, money, house, vehicle, landed property, job, position, children, marriage, title, health status, etc.
All things work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28), i.e. for those who have the Holy Spirit and the abiding joy of the LORD. Outward expression of joy through smiles must not be mistaken for the joy of the Lord; it may be hypocritical, a cover for inner wickedness. Facial expression of problem and sadness does not glorify God; it’s a sign of unbelief in God our Lord Jesus Christ.
Habakkuk 3: 17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength, …..
When Jesus started His mission on earth, He announced His Vision for salvation (Matt. 5 Beatitudes) 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Focus on the Lord Jesus, and fear not. Do not allow the enemy to steal your joy. Soveregn God is in charge of your life, NOT the enemy. David says in Psalm 37: 1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers…….. 9; 25-37.
The birth of Jesus ushered in good tidings of great joy
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
That joy is yours if you believe. If you believe and work with Jesus in obedience, preach the gospel you are likely to be persecuted. But Jesus says: in Luke 6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
Philippians 4: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Think of good things meditate on them : Philippians 4:8
1 Thess. 5: 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
You are light of the world; you must show the light – that is joy. John 1:1
Joy in heaven
The joy of salvation is shared in earth and heaven when one sinner repents and accepts Jesus: Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Heaven is a place reserved by God for everlasting joy and, peace: Revelation 7: 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Hebrews 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Righteousness brings joy
Psalm 118:15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
After Ezra read the book of the law to the people, they wept. [Nehemiah 8:10Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Trust in God for all your battles; there lies your victory and joy
In 2 Chronicles 20 we read about the war against Judah and Jerusalem under King Jehoshapath by the tribes of Moab and Ammon. The King consulted with the Lord and was given assurance of victory:15b Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
In the course of the battle, the enemies destroyed themselves; and in verse 27: Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
Jeremiah 33:11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, thevoice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord.
Serve the Lord with Joy and gladness of heart
For the abundance of all things, God expects His children to serve Him “with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart”, Deuteronomy 28:47
I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice for He has made me glad
Psalm 51: 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Praise & Worship time is a Sacrifice of joy unto God
Psalm 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
Psalm 35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let theLord be magnified, which hath pleasure in theprosperity of his servant.
Psalm 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.
Psalm 95:1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Psalm 98:6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.
Isaiah 35:10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, thegarment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting ofthe Lord, that he might be glorified.
SONG
My brother what do you have now?
I have joy, Joy, Joy Joy
Praise the Lord Alle………X 2
Alleeeee Eyin Oluwa logo Alleee !!!!
I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart…………
PRAYER POINTS
- The joy of the Lord is my strength; therefore, I am an overcomer, in Jesus name, Amen
- I am ending year 2017 with joy; My joy will remain full in the coming year, in Jesus name. Amen
- Psalm 118:15 The voice ofrejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: Father Lord, keep me in your righteousness and let my life, my family and this Church remain in your joy. Amen