The joy of the Lord is one of the greatest gifts God has ever given the human race. Today, we will learn what it is and how many of its benefits. Also, we will learn joy differs from human pleasure and easy living because it is birthed and maintained by the Holy Spirit!

This Joy that I have the world didn’t give to me
This Joy that I have the world didn’t give to me
This Joy that I have the world didn’t give to me
The world didn’t give it the world can’t take it away!

(“Joy That I Have,” Shirley Caesar)  

SERIES TEXT

John 15:1-11 (NKJV), “1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser [gardner]. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 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.

11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may [abide] in you, and that your joy may be [full, complete, and perfect].”

ILLUSTRATION

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(1) THE JOY OF THE LORD

  1. JOY OF THE LORD DEFINED: The joy of the Lord is the state of delight and well being that results from knowing and serving God. (Holman Dictionary).
  2. JOY vs. PLEASURE: Joy is not grounded in pleasure or human feelings but rather in the person of Jesus Christ. Therefore, disciples are to have the joy of the Lord even in the midst of persecution (Matthew 5:12), sufferings (Romans 5:3-5), and trials (1 Peter 1:6-8).
  3. VERSES ON THE JOY OF THE LORD: 
    1. BLESSED WITH COMPLETE JOY: Deuteronomy 16:15, “For seven days celebrate the festival to the Lord your God at the place the Lord will choose. For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.”
    2. THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH: Nehemiah 8:10, “Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
    3. JOY IN GOD’S PRESENCE: Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
    4. GOD’S JOY DEFEATS ALL OUR ANXIETY: Psalm 94:19, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
    5. JOY IN THE APPROVAL OF GOD: Ecclesiastes 9:7, “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.”
    6. JOY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH: Isaiah 49:13, “Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains!  For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.”
    7. JOY TO SHARE: Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
    8. REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS: Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
    9. EXCEEDING JOY: Jude 1:24-25, “24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.”
    10. More…

C.S. Lewis, “Joy is the serious business of heaven!”

(2) COMPLETE AND PERFECT JOY!

  1. COMPLETE JOY IS THE NORM: The joy of the Lord is not something the disciple has to search after and try to find, but rather something they have already been given at their re-birth. The disciple simply needs to cultivate the joy they have already been given by the Holy Spirit. In other words, joy is included in the fruit of the Spirit according to Galatians 5:22-23 and thus is considered part of what Jesus is referring to in John 15:8 in regards to “bearing much fruit!”
  2. GUARD YOUR JOY: Joy is a choice, just like everything else in the Kingdom of God. If the disciple does not choose joy and guard their heart from the sin and doubt in this world they will lose their joy (Psalm 51:7-12).

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Decide today that you will receive and keep the complete joy of Lord in your life!