Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Focusing on v11
- Do you see Christianity as something joyful?
- Jesus joy would be with the disciples
- It would remain with them forever
- What Jesus promises His disciples – He promises us
- Christians should be the most joyful people of all the earth!
- Even in difficult times – examples
- Sadly this has not always been the case – examples
- Not about the ‘negatives’
- An external form of Christianity
- Yes we are to obey commands – but to put on Christ
- If we are not joyful Christians – there is something wrong with us
- We can be sorrowful – but always rejoicing
- Overview:
- The Possibility of Joy
- The Barriers to Joy
- The Experience of Joy
- Mankind looks for joy in the wrong places
- Joy is not just happiness
- It is very deep
- It is about fellowship with God
- It sometimes bubbles over – example of David
The Possibility of Joy
- It is a possibility / his is joy is not automatic
- There are many ‘ifs’ in the Bible
- v7 – if you abide in Christ
- v10 – if you keep my commandments
- v17 – love one another
- It is a reality
- Reading John 16:21-22 – example of child birth
- The disciples would see Jesus crucified – but joy would come
- It cannot be taken from you
- Scripture is real – there may be agony, but there is the promise of joy
- The Holy Spirit will bring them joy
- It is the joy of Jesus’ love – v9, 11
- Even in persecution
- 1 Thess 1:6 – joy in affliction
- Joy despite persecutions – examples
- Even in a depressing/dark world
- (Do not forget common grace)
- Phil 4:4 – rejoice in the Lord
- Look to Christ and all that He has done
- Is this possibility a reality for you?
- It is Jesus’s desire for His disciples and for us
- Receive this joy, leave sin behind, live for Him
The Barriers to Joy
- Believing the lies of the devil
- Everything does not depend on us
- Our joy depends on Christ and His finished work on the cross
- The devil wants us to own our temptations
- Example of Sunday School teacher
- There is a difference between temptation and sin
- Do not ‘own’ sinful thoughts that arise from the devil
- Yielding to temptation
- Letting your own circumstances overwhelm you
- Example of Elijah
- Do not isolate yourself but remain with others
- (Do not seek to take your life)
- Have rest (and food)
- God came to him in a gentle way
- Do not exhaust yourself – but if you do, take a rest with Christ
- A critical spirit
- Examples – you will be joyless
- When thankful – you will be joyful
The Experience of Joy
- What things had Jesus spoken of?
- John 14:2 – Many mansions in glory
- John 14:23 – He will manifest Himself to us
- v7, John 16:24 – Answered prayer
- Do not be ignorant of the Bible
- Example of last week’s preaching
- God’s warnings are for our joy – to keep us away from sin
- Bearing fruit (v5, 16)
- The fruit of the Holy Spirit
- The fruit of good works
- Other much fruit
- 1 Peter 1:8 – joy unspeakable and full of glory
Closing Remarks
- 1 John 1:3-4
- Walk in fellowship with God