What do you think should be the distinguishing marks of the Church? The most important characteristics?
Holiness
Love
Truth Mission
Unity
Above all others: JOY
Happy! Happy! Happy! John 17:13
The First Mark of the Church – Joy God’s Remedy for a Lack of Joy
Happy! Happy! Happy! John 17:13
The First Mark of the Church – Joy
We do not think of joy as a primary mark of the Church – perhaps the most important! chairein – verb “to rejoice” “be joyful”- 72x chara – noun “joy” - 60x Used as a greeting but also an attitude Examples: Luke 2:10; John 15:11; Phil. 4:4 Is the Church today joyful?
Happy! Happy! Happy! John 17:13
God’s Remedy for a Lack of Joy 1.
Sound Doctrine
Joy is associated with a mature knowledge of God – Psalm 19:8; 119:14; John 15:10-11.
Psalm 19:8 (NASB) 8
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalm 119:14 (NASB) 14
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches
John 15:10-11 (NASB) 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 so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Happy! Happy! Happy! John 17:13
God’s Remedy for a Lack of Joy 1.
Sound Doctrine Joy is associated with a mature knowledge of God – Psalm 19:8; 119:14; John 15:10-11. This is an experiential knowledge of God’s character and commandments. Joy is a result of settling all our thoughts on God, His dealings with us, and His purposes with and through us – Psalm 34:8, 22.
Psalm 34:8, 22 (NASB) 8
O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
22
The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned
Happy! Happy! Happy! John 17:13
God’s Remedy for a Lack of Joy 1.
Sound Doctrine Joy is associated with a mature knowledge of God – Psalm 19:8; 119:14; John 15:10-11. This is an experiential knowledge of God’s character and commandments. Joy is a result of settling all our thoughts on God, His dealings with us, and His purposes with and through us – Psalm 34:8, 22. Circumstances; circum – around and stare – to stand, therefore, things that are standing around us. Circumstances are without, but God is within – Colossians 1:27.
Colossians 1:27 (NASB) 27
to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Happy! Happy! Happy! John 17:13
God’s Remedy for a Lack of Joy 2.
Fellowship
Jesus speaks not just of joy but of “my joy.” Jesus is the embodiment of this even though He is “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” What was Jesus’ joy – Hebrews 12:2?
Hebrews 12:2 (NASB) 2
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Happy! Happy! Happy! John 17:13
God’s Remedy for a Lack of Joy 2.
Fellowship
Jesus speaks not just of joy but of “my joy.” Jesus is the embodiment of this even though He is “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” What was Jesus’ joy – Hebrews 12:2? This joy is also seen in the moment by moment contact and fellowship with the Father. All this is given to us – Gal. 4:6; 1 John 1:3-4!
Galatians 4:6 (NASB) 6
Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
1 John 1:3-4 (NASB) 3
4
what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
Happy! Happy! Happy! John 17:13
God’s Remedy for a Lack of Joy 3.
Righteousness and Peace – Holiness
Sin keeps us from God by breaking fellowship with Him – something that we need. John follows joy with holiness – Romans 14:17.
Romans 14:17 (NASB) 17
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Happy! Happy! Happy! John 17:13
God’s Remedy for a Lack of Joy 3.
Righteousness and Peace – Holiness
Sin keeps us from God by breaking fellowship with Him – something that we need. John follows joy with holiness – Romans 14:17. Evidence of a lack of fellowship with God and thus a lack of fellowship with other believers is a lack of joy in our lives! Lack of joy comes from lacking peace and lacking righteousness – Romans 15:13!
Romans 15:13 (NASB) 13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Happy! Happy! Happy! John 17:13
Application
Do you have joy? From where do you derive this joy? Do others see this joy in you?
