John 15:9-11, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
There are two kinds of Christians: Joyful and Sorrowful/ Unhappy. The most miserable Christians are those who live with a foot in both worlds. The dilemma is that you look to yourself instead of finding delight in Christ.
Whether our struggle concerns real sin or the personal failures we define as sin, self-condemnation inhibits us from finding comfort in the gospel. Instead, we criticize ourselves and become critical and judgmental, not only toward ourselves but toward others, too.
Background: Christ was preparing his disciples for his departure. It is the last thing he reminds them of before he was crucified. Even though Christ knew that he was about to die, plus the thought of leaving his close friends, his disciples, he reminded them that they could find Joy because they had encountered him. The good news is that ‘Joy’ is contagious. Joy is not a state of mind. It is not a pleasure nor mere happiness of feeling good. True Joy is an encounter with Christ.
Joy is not something we can attain by our own effort. It is by encountering a person, and that person is Christ. It is not until we have experienced the transforming grace of God that we can find true joy. John 15:11, “So that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
- Joy is bound in Christ’s act of self-giving.
- Made complete and/or full. Another example of this thought is the completion of joy when experiencing face-to-face with the community of believers (2 John 12).
- Those who are content find true joy (Philippians 4:13).
- Joy cannot be attained alone. It is a mutual enactment of the giver and receiver. There must be someone who gives and the other to receive. Most of the time, it is the giver of joy who has a superb life, a person who has experienced extraordinary joy (2 Corinthians 9:7-8).
- Only true Christians can experience extraordinary joy. In our passage, John 15:11, those who receive the completion of joy are the ones who have experienced God’s love in Christ.
- Extraordinary joy will even thrive in suffering (John 15:18-25, you will be hated and persecuted because of me, but the joy in your heart will overcome all these things.)
- Joy (5479/xará) is completely grace-dependent and therefore circumstance-independent; earthly happiness, however, is circumstance-dependent. “Happiness” depends on favorable circumstances (“happenings”); joy depends only on knowing God’s favor (grace).
Practical Ways:
J – Jettison, all regrets about your past. “Jettison” means “to abandon as worthless, to discard, to eliminate, and to get rid of.” Paul says if you want to enjoy life, there are some things you’ve got to get rid of because they are wearing you down and overburdening your life. In Philippians 3:13, “One thing I do is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead.”
Your past doesn’t own you, and break the chains that hold you on moving forward. In psychology, past experience is one of the greatest factors for your behavior. Who you are because of your past. No! That is not the right perception, unless delivered from it, throw away that idea and let your future plans determine your present and not the past.
O – Omit all worries about your future – If you’re going to enjoy the present, you must omit all worries about your future. Worrying, as we know, is different from being concerned, and it is useless. It is the greatest killjoy. Paul said in Philippians 4:6, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.”
Y – Yield to God’s Will – The most unhappy Christian is the one who has not spent time with God. The ones who cherish their sins are the ones who struggle to find joy in fellowship. The essence of sin is looking for good outside of God and his will. Say ‘No’ to sin for your joy. Half-hearted Christians are not happy Christians. Hope in God, and don’t run after other gods. That is the path to joy. (Jim Johnston, Desiring God 2015)
Conclusion:
Happiness in this world is temporary only, but the joy that God can give is forever. Only God can give something that is true to everyone. His love, His Grace, His Hope, and His joy. No one can find true happiness here on earth apart from God. Most of us would be happy when we have wealth, family, friends, things, etc. But being a Christian, serving God is our number one priority. May be in helping others, discipleship, teaching, bible studies, music ministry, evangelism, and others for God’s glory.
Even simple deeds for Christ will be acceptable to Christ as long as you do it with all your heart. In sweeping the floor before church service, giving what you have to someone who is in need, feeding the poor, doing multimedia and technical for the church, and washing the dishes after fellowship. You can still find joy in these simple things because you know that you are serving God through serving His people. “Delighting in God is therefore the root and happy secret behind growing in Christ, serving the church, and blessing the world.” ~ Michael Reeves
God can only satisfy the desires of your heart. You may find it in this world, but that won’t be long enough. But don’t let your service in Christ distract you from God Himself. Always remember, what is your reason for serving God? It is all because of God, not because we are expecting something great coming from God, but it is because we love Him so much that’s why we follow Him wholeheartedly.
Sermon delivered at Union Community Bible Church – Pathway on February 25, 2024. Powerpoint link
John&Paul's Reflections 