See full series: 2019-sermons

Joy of a Christian

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

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In various lessons, I often appeal to our need for joy.   The book of Philippians has as its theme, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)   Frequently the psalms speak of our joy in serving the LORD.     It is important that we understand what true joy is, so in this lesson I would like to examine some thoughts about the joy of a Christian.

1. What is joy?
   1. Joy – the quality or attitude of delight and gladness, happiness.
      The word rejoice is the verb form of the same word and describes a state of joyfulness or response with joyfulness.
      The root word is the same word as grace.   In its various forms (joy, rejoice and gladness) it is found more than 120 times, as well as being translated thankful or thanksgiving some 50+ times (gratitude is often associated with joy).
      Psalm 35:9, David said, And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation.  That word “joyful” here means to express great joy. One source even noted that it means to “leap inside”.   That describes what our joy ought to be.
   2. As Christians, this is more than just being happy because everything is as we want it, or we are at some place that is fun and gratifying.   The challenge we have with joy is how to rejoice or be joyful when things are not ideal, or perhaps even miserable or troubling.
   3. We are commanded to be joyful – Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16, James 1:2 – count it all joy…; Matthew 5:12 – rejoice and be exceedingly glad…
      BUT how do you command an emotion?   In reality it is more about attitude based upon the right things.
2. For what should I be joyful?
   1. I am saved – Luke 10:20 – rejoice that your names are written in heaven
      Acts 8:39, the Eunuch went on his way rejoining.
      Romans 5:1-2 we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
   2. Because I have a God and Savior that cares about me – our God is personal and loving God who has demonstrated His love to us.   No other world religion has this (except Judaism – and He is the same God). We are told that God loved us and sent Jesus to die (John 3:16, Roman 5:8, etc.);
      Jesus loved us enough to be that sacrifice – John 15:13 – greater love has no one…
      Do not forget Matthew 11:28-30 – He cares about us and calls for us to lay our burdens before Him. The fact that God loves us ought to bring us some of the greatest of joy.
   3. The opportunity to serve our God – we have the opportunity to make real change in the word as we seek to reach others and to serve God.
      1 Corinthians 15:58 speaks of abounding in the work of the Lord.   When we think of abounding, it is typically something we take pleasure in.
   4. Our liberties in Him and our abundant blessings – certainly when we consider how blessed we are, we ought to rejoice.   Ephesians 1:3, Paul speaks of how God ought to be “blessed” or glorified, as we consider how blessed we are.
      Think of the idea of the beatitudes – the word “blessed” is associated with happiness.
   5. Our brethren – Philippians 1:4 – Paul prayed from the with joy
      1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 – Paul see his brethren as his source of joy
      Both 2 & 3 John begin with John rejoicing that brethren were faithful – 2 John 4, 3 John 4.
      Romans 12:15 calls for us to rejoice with them as they rejoice.
   6. When one obeys the gospel or one returns to God – Luke 15:7, 10 both tell us there is joy in heaven when a sinner repents. And then we have the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).
      And obviously, when one obeys the gospel, that ought to a source of great joy for each of us. Acts 2:41 – those who gladly received the word were baptized.   Acts 16:34 – the jailor rejoiced having believed.
   7. Our trials – heavily emphasized in scripture.   When we are facing difficulties, that is when we need to remind ourselves of the need to rejoice the most.   James 1:2-3, 1 Thessalonians 1:6 – they received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy spirit.   1 Peter 4:13. Think of Paul and Silas in prison in Philippi.     Acts 5:41 – the apostles having been beaten and they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Him.
      2 Corinthians 12:10 – Paul took pleasure in his infirmities because they made him better.
   8. As we consider our eternal reward – Matthew 5:12. Luke 6:22-23 – again passages associated with sufferings, the reason we rejoice is because you reward is great in heaven.
      Hebrews 10:34-35 – the writer speaks of how they joyfully accepted plundering of their goods, knowing they have something better waiting for them.
      Everything associated with heaven ought to bring a smile and joy to us.
3. What stands in the way of true joy?
   1. Satan – ultimately, Satan is the culprit behind our loss of joy.   He seeks to steal your joy from you and leads you to a life of misery. He offers temporary gratification, but that is all it is.   In the end, you are often more miserable than before.
   2. A failure to understand what it means to be a Christian –
      It is no secret that the life of a Christian is challenging – NOT impossible – but challenging.
      Serving God is about total commitment – Matthew 16:24. And there is something to be said about the joy of those who wholeheartedly are serving God.
      Many live miserable lives because their perspective about what it means to be a Christian is jaded (they don’t take pleasure in serving him but see it at mere duties – e.g. the types of “works” we are sometimes accused of teaching). Some serve God just enough to be miserable.     If our service is mediocre, we are likely to lack joy.
   3. I am not growing as I ought to – associated with our previous point.
      We know that the life of a Christian is about growth.     Hebrews 5:12-6:1 calls for us to be growing.
      2 Peter 3:18 -we are called to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
      When we are NOT growing, we will be “tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14-15)
      When we cannot give an answer for our hope (1 Peter 3:15), we will not be joyful. But how often is that because of our failure to grow?
   4. The roots of sinful behavior – many are miserable because their lives are not right with God.
      Like the ground with thorns, we let the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke out the word. Matthew 13:22.
      When we are living in sin and not repenting, we are going to be miserable.   There will be no joy. Think of Paul in Romans 7:23-24 – his mind is waring with his body, and he thinks of the captivity of sin.   While this text has dealings with the inadequacies of the Old Law, the point still applies – in vs. 24 Paul notes, “O wretched man that I am.”   Note Galatians 5:16-17 (which leads to the works of the flesh).
   5. The burdens of life –
      It is no secret that life is hard and at times it is burdensome.   But how often do we create burdens in our life by living as we ought to? We don’t take care of ourselves, make irresponsible decisions, we let things go that we ought to be doing, etc. Either way, worry is not the answer, but it WILL rob you of your joy.     This is easy to say, but not easy to do.
   6. Often associated with the burdens are worries – one of the sure ways to lack joy is to spend all your time worrying about what is wrong.   So many worry and fret about so many things.
      Be reminded of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-33.   He tells us not to worry.   Worry shows a lack of trust (faith) in God and it causes so many problems. In this text, Jesus notes that many worry about things they cannot change – so why worry?
      BUT IF you are worried about what is wrong in your life – CHANGE IT!
4.   Developing joy
   1. It’s a mindset – perspective.   Colossians 3:1-2 – set your mind on things above.
      You have to tell yourself, I am NOT going to let this make me miserable.
      Romans 12:2 – be transformed by the renewing of our mind.
   2. Take care of what stands in your way – if you have sin, REPENT (cf. Acts 8:20-23 – Peter tells the sorcerer to repent and pray. He was poisoned with bitterness and iniquity).
      Get forgiveness and live so that you know God is pleased with you.
      Get rid of whatever obstacles stand in your way – Hebrews 12:1-2
   3. Obediently serve God – John 15:10-11. When you are pleasing to God, you have every reason to be joyful.   That is how you deal with your trials and tribulations.
   4. Avoid, when you can, negativity.   We are in a cynical world.   And sometimes we don’t have to leave the church building to find it. A great way to have your joy diminished is to associate with those who do not bring you joy.   Those who are miserable all the time and constantly complaining.   Those who are continually critical and fault finders.
      Such attitudes are a detriment to peace and joy.   Turn off the news.   Change your friends who are weighing you down – 1 Corinthians 15:33.
   5. Associate with those who are joyful – just as negativity is contagions, so joyfulness can be.   Find those who are humble and happy and associate with them.   Romans 12:15 again tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice.   Philippians 2:17-18, Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Certainly, much more could be said about the subject of joy in our lives as Christians. Let us be reminded that God wants us to be joyful, but only His way.   So where do you stand?   Are you joyful or is the joy of the Lord lacking in our life?   And just as important – WHY?   If you need to change your life so that you can have that joy (again), let us help you. Think about it.