Waiting with Joy
Waiting Room (An Advent Series) • Sermon • Submitted
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· 5 viewsWe rejoice in knowing that this is not as good as it gets. Our present trials and struggles are met with rejoicing in the God who has turned our mourning into dancing.
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3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
Doing This Increases Christ’s Joy
Author Dane Ortlund quotes Thomas Goodwin’s statement, “Christ’s own joy, comfort, happiness, and glory are increased … by his showing grace and mercy, in pardoning, relieving, and comforting his members here on earth.”
Ortlund then gave the following illustration:
A compassionate doctor has traveled deep into the jungle to provide medical care to a primitive tribe afflicted with a contagious disease. He has had his medical equipment flown in. He has correctly diagnosed the problem, and the antibiotics are prepared and available. He is independently wealthy and has no need of any kind of financial compensation. But as he seeks to provide care, those who are afflicted refuse the care. They want to take care of themselves. They want to heal on their own terms. Finally, a few brave young men step forward to receive the care being freely provided.
What does the doctor feel? Joy. His joy increases to the degree that the sick come to him for help and healing. It’s the whole reason he came.
So, with us, and so with Christ. He does not get flustered and frustrated when we come to him for fresh forgiveness, for renewed pardon, with distress and need and emptiness. That’s the whole point. It’s what he came to heal.
Joy according to the Bible writers is rooted in God and what He has done for His people in general and his people in particular.
Have you ever lost your joy for a time?
Note: Joy is a marker of the people of God both individually and corporately.
Joy as a Feeling
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Note: Joy can be a feeling: called forth by well-being, success, or good fortune. A person automatically experiences it because of certain favorable circumstances. It cannot be commanded or forced on someone. Matthew 18:13 “the shepherd who looks for the one lost sheep and rejoices over it once it is found.” This is a picture of rejoicing over the lost who come to Chirst. Luke 24:52 “And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” This was after the resurrection and ascension.
Luke 19:7 the author of revelation exhorts his audience by saying, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him the glory; the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come.
Joy as an Action
Note: Joy can be an Action: There is a sense of joy that can be engaged regardless of how someone feels. For example James 1:2 tells us to “consider it all joy when you face trials.” Philippians 4:4 commands us to, “rejoice in the Lord always again I say rejoice.” This is a command detached from feelings. Galatians 5:22 the fruit of the spirit reveals that joy in adverse circumstances is only possible as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, who is presented to every Christian.
Remember that the angels declared, “Fear not for I am with you, and I bring you good news of Great Joy that will be for all people.”
Hebrews 12:2 uses joy for the state which Christ saw would be his at the right hand of God and which made him willing to endure the cross.
Joy as Victory
Rejoice, Exult, gloat. Rejoice, based in a victory that God has won or will win; gloat maliciously at the defeat or trouble of an enemy. The verb describes the joy that stems from a victory or gloating at the defeat of enemies. This can be gladness because of victory brought by God to his people as a whole or to an individual, as in the story of Hannah. When Hannah finally received her child Samuel, she rejoiced in God who has now blessed her with a child, and she will no longer suffer mockery from Elkanah’s other wife.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
WHAT IS THE JOY OF THE LORD?
WHAT IS THE JOY OF THE LORD?
We experience the Joy of the Lord in 3 ways:
“Knowing God,” “Abiding in Christ,” and “Being Filled with the Holy Spirit.”
When does real joy come to us?
When does real joy come to us?
1. The Joy that comes from Knowing God.
1. The Joy that comes from Knowing God.
We started this morning by stating that Real Joy only comes from God, who has invaded our lives and conquered us, and liberated us from the power of sin and death.
The world is desperately seeking to find Joy, however, it looks for joy in all the wrong places.
NOTE: We must dispense with the idea of pitting the idea of Joy and happiness together. Happiness is a warm putty, its a warm fuzzy feeling we get of the idea of happiness. It’s like the song released by Bobby McFerrin in the 1980’s “Don’t worry, Be happy man.”
Think again about McFerrin's song. The lyrics are very odd from a contemporary perspective. When he sings, “Don't worry, be happy,” he is issuing an imperative, a command: “Do not be anxious. Rather, be happy.” He is setting forth a duty, not making a suggestion. However, we never think of happiness in this way. When we are unhappy, we think it is impossible to decide by an act of the will to change our feelings. We tend to think of happiness as something passive, something that happens to us and over which we have no control. It is involuntary. Yes, we desire it and want to experience it, but we are convinced that we cannot create it by an act of the will.
Oddly, McFerrin sounds very much like the New Testament when he commands his listeners to be happy. Over and over again in the pages of the New Testament, the idea of joy is communicated as an imperative, as an obligation.
According to scripture joy is far more the duty of every Christian as a moral obligation. This means that a failure as a Christian to be joyful is a sin, that unhappiness and a lack of joy are, in a certain way, manifestations of the flesh.
Note: sometimes we struggle to grasp the idea of biblical joy because of the way it is defined in Western culture today.
Look at what Jesus said in the “Beatitudes.”
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit;” “Blessed are those who mourn;” “Blessed are the meek;” some modern translations try to replace blessed with “Happy.” I tend to cringe when they do this, not because I am opposed to happiness, but because the word happy is so misunderstood in our culture.
Note: Blessed is defined in the New Testament as extreme peace and joyful wellbeing.
*The Joy of knowing God is cultivated in our minds
*The Joy of knowing God is cultivated in our minds
When we start trusting in Him our minds are transformed. Romans 12:2
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Our joy is cultivated when it is making complete what otherwise would be incomplete.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
Note: Trials are not evidence that the Lord has left you and forgotten you, it is proof that the Lord is performing His redemptive work in us. God has ordained trials as his preferred method for shaping and forming us. Consider it a good thing that you are being shaped and formed by God.
Look at 1 Peter 4:12-13
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
*The Joy of knowing God will never be wasted
*The Joy of knowing God will never be wasted
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Note: If the completion of God’s plan comes through our struggles and suffering, “bring it on.”
Look at Job 1:8
8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”
Note: Jobs trials come because He is upright and righteous before the Lord.
Look at the letter to the Church at Philippi. Paul continues throughout the whole letter to speak about the end result of our Joy in struggles.
2:14-18 “Do not grumble or dispute, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad to rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Note: Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering, this means to give his life for the sake of the call.
*The Joy of Knowing God is perfecting us through trials
*The Joy of Knowing God is perfecting us through trials
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Note: “count it all joy” and “nothing but joy.” This is a command to obey. The word count is a financial term, meaning “to evaluate.” When James uses “count it all joy,” he is encouraging his readers to evaluate the way they look at their trials. He calls believers to develop a new and improved attitude that considers trials from God’s perspective.
James gives the reason that believers should react to joy in times of physical persecution and testing, it is the means by which the Father uses to perfect our faith. 1 Peter tells us that God uses such testing to determine the genuineness of your faith. This is also used as a process of refining you like the impurities are worked out of silver and gold.
Trials do not determine whether someone has faith or not. Rather they are used to strengthen the faith that is already present in your life. The believer is asked to respond with joy because they know that trials are working to produce a deeper, stronger, more certain faith.
How do we get real joy?
How do we get real joy?
2. The Joy that comes from Abiding in Christ.
2. The Joy that comes from Abiding in Christ.
Do you remember when your mother used to say, "Don't eat candy before meals?" Why did she say that? Because she knew it would ruin your next meal. The trouble with eating candy is that it gives you a sugar buzz, and then you don't feel hungry. Candy masks the fact that your body needs proteins and vitamins. The sugar buzz from candy masks your hunger for the real nutrients that you don't have.
Things like sex, power, money, and success—as well as favorable circumstances—act like spiritual sugar. Christians who have these spiritual candies may say, "Sure, I believe in God and I know I'm going to heaven," but they're actually basing their day-to-day joy on favorable circumstances. When the circumstances change, it drives us to God, because when the sugar disappears, when the candy gets taken away, we're forced to pursue the feast that our souls really crave. We'll hunger for the spiritual nutrients we really need.
In Johns Gospel, Jesus expounds on His declaration that He is the vine and we are the branches: Without the vinedresser we have nothing.
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
We cannot fall out of Christ, but in our process of sanctification we can experience greater or lesser degrees of joy. Here our wills are important in that we are called to abide in Christ
NOTE: Jesus joy was forever tethered to His fathers joyful will. He rejoiced in the Spirit thanking His Father for the gospel breaking forth to Salvation.
Luke 15 you have all of these parables of loosing something. You have the shepherd who has lost his sheep; you have the woman who has lost her coin; and you have the prodigal son who was lost but now he is found. 15:7
All of these stories have the unrestrained joy of something that was lost but now has been found. The father of the prodigal son falling on the neck of his lost son. There must now be a party and dancing when the gospel breaks loose.
15:7 “I tell you that there will be more joy over one lost sinner who returns home than the 99 righteous people who need not repentance.
*Jesus longs for His joy to be ours
*Jesus longs for His joy to be ours
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
We cannot fall out of Christ, but in our process of sanctification we can experience greater or lesser degrees of joy. Here our wills are important in that we are called to abide in Christ
NOTE: Jesus joy was forever tethered to His fathers joyful will. He rejoiced in the Spirit thanking His Father for the gospel breaking forth to Salvation.
Luke 15 you have all of these parables of loosing something. You have the shepherd who has lost his sheep; you have the woman who has lost her coin; and you have the prodigal son who was lost but now he is found. 15:7
All of these stories have the unrestrained joy of something that was lost but now has been found. The father of the prodigal son falling on the neck of his lost son. There must now be a party and dancing when the gospel breaks loose.
15:7 “I tell you that there will be more joy over one lost sinner who returns home than the 99 righteous people who need not repentance.
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Note: Why does Jesus desire for His joy to be our joy? He want His joy to cover all of creation as He is making all things new.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
*We need to develop a taste for His Joy
*We need to develop a taste for His Joy
Note: Our joy flows out of daily contemplating the person and work of Christ. We also sin, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!” We sing joy of the resurrected Christ at Easter guaranteeing that we will see Him again and our joy will never fade.
22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
How do we develop a taste for His Joy?
1) We increase our taste through the unseen Christ.
1) We increase our taste through the unseen Christ.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
Donald MacLeod says Jesus experienced "a deep and habitual joy . . . an indispensable element in the psychology of his obedience . . . [serving] not as a slave but as a Son." This is true for us, as our sonship enables us to joyfully cry, "Abba! Father" (Rom. 8:15).
2) We increase our taste through His coming victory.
2) We increase our taste through His coming victory.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3) We increase our taste through His provision.
3) We increase our taste through His provision.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Note: notice that in every situation that Paul has found himself in he was satisfied. Why? Because the joy he had was in Christ abiding in him giving him the strength to endure whatever trials the world would send his way.
Where does real joy come from?
Where does real joy come from?
3. The Joy that comes from the Holy Spirit.
3. The Joy that comes from the Holy Spirit.
10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
The children of Israel returned from exile. They were listening to the law being read, were overcome with condemnation, and were weeping.
When Ezra was reading the law to the people it produced sorrow because their lives and behavior were not in alignment with the law. But instead of being rebuked and condemned, they were instructed to celebrate because of the joy of the Lord.
The Children of Israel were never known for their perfect behavior. They were known for being the people of God. They were His. He loved them. His people had been separated from Him in exile for years and were finally reunited to Him. God had His beloved people back - why would He not have joy?
Note: Those who are a part of the Kingdom of God share in His Kingdom Joy. The Primary means through which we share in this joy is through the Holy Spirit.
Now Go back to John 15:1-4
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
Note: So we are abiding in Christ through the Holy spirit which keeps us connected within the vine. Now what happens when vines are pruned off of a rose bush or a tree? They die. Recently I went ninja on my rose bushes out in front of our house. Due to the crazy freeze many of the branches had died, they were no longer beneficial. The vine need’s it’s food to survive and the spirit is the conduit through which we get those beneficial nutrients.
We are living in between the time of the advents of Christ when our joy is mingled with the countless “groanings” associated with a fallen world.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
*The spirit of joy groans for it’s home.
*The spirit of joy groans for it’s home.
Apart from Christ according to Paul in Ephesians 2:1-3 we followed our own sinful way through the pattern of this world, and lived to serve our own lusts. And now, as redeemed citizens of the kingdom of God we are at war against these joy killers.
If our joy is to be complete in the Lord then it must increase, then the enemies of our joy must be constantly subdued and kicked out of our lives.
3 Ways to protect our Joy in Christ.
1) To protect our joy in Christ we must shun conformity with the world.
1) To protect our joy in Christ we must shun conformity with the world.
Note: Remember that spiritual battle that is being waged begins in the mind. Romans 12:2 tells us that we must conform our minds to that of Christ. How do we do this?
The work of the Spirit in our lives is promoted through our diligent use of God’s word. As we saturate our minds with God’s truth, “the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace. The less we meditate on his word and hide it in our hearts and spirits, the more influence the world will have over our minds, how we think, and lives.
2) Consider how the devil attacks our joy by assaulting our faith.
2) Consider how the devil attacks our joy by assaulting our faith.
Note: We see a stark picture of this in Luke 22:31-32
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Satan wants to destroy your faith. And if our faith in Jesus falters, so will our joy. For who rejoices in a Christ one does not trust?
We combat Satan by feeding our minds the promises of God. This is the line of attack Martin Luther described in his great battle hymn “A mighty fortress is our god. Indeed, “One little word shall fell him.”
3) Consider how indwelling sin attacks our joy
3) Consider how indwelling sin attacks our joy
When we walk according to the flesh, we are not walking according to the spirit. And part of the fruit of the Spirit is joy. Therefore, the Christian must mortify the flesh.
In the words of John Own, be killing sin or sin will be killing your joy.
Our joy is experienced in a world groaning under the weight of sin. But our joy groans “in hope of the glory of God. So until that great day comes we must continue to root our joy in the one who calls us to Himself “that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).