The Bountiful Life: Joy

 

The Bountiful Life: Joy

1 Peter 1:8-9

 

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, 
the salvation of your souls.

 

John the Baptist. He was actually one of Jesus’ cousins. He was a preacher, with a heavy emphasis on repentance, begging listeners to acknowledge their wrongdoings and to ask for forgiveness. 

 

When people heard that John was in the area, they would come from all over to listen to him and get baptized. Baptism is a way of showing others that you believe in God and want to live your life the way God wants. It’s an outward expression of an inward commitment.  

 

One day Jesus came to the Jordan River to be baptized Himself. John didn't know what to say; all he thought was, "How could I, a regular man, baptize Jesus, the Savior of the world?"

 

John said to Jesus, "You should be baptizing me. I cannot baptize You, Lord."  

 

Jesus replied, "It's important that I do this now. I am ready. Baptism will mark me with readiness for what I am being called to do. I want to be an example to others and show them that it's important."

 

So, John took Jesus and baptized Him in the Jordan River. The sky opened up, and the Holy Spirit descended like a beautiful white dove. Then a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son. I love Him, and I am pleased with Him." 

 

The baptism of Jesus officially marked the beginning of His ministry. And throughout His ministry, Jesus was a masterful teacher. He had a beautiful way with words. On the night following the Last Supper, Jesus took a walk with His friends to look for a place to pray. On the way, they passed a vineyard, and Jesus loved using a visual to make His point. He said:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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. 

 

You can imagine Peter scratching his head and thinking, I really love Jesus. So, will my body sprout grapes soon? Maybe apples or oranges?

 

No, no, Paul explains to us in his letter to the Galatians, 

 

…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

 

And that’s where we find ourselves today, in the midst of a sermon series entitled “The Bountiful Life,” where we discover how to live abundantly by embodying the fruit of the Spirit. Today’s topic: joy. (Don’t forget your sermon quiz!)

 

The word joy in the original Greek language (chara = khar-ah) means: cheerfulness, calm delight; gladness which is multiplied greatly. In all its forms (joy, joyfully, rejoice), it appears over 200 times in the Bible.

 

It seems everyone today is looking for joy. Marketing companies know this. Every commercial promises the same product: joy. Want some joy? Buy our hand cream. Want some joy? Sleep on this mattress. Want some joy? Eat at this restaurant, drive this car, wear this dress. Every commercial portrays the image of a joy-filled person. 

 

But the joy offered by God is different than any other joy you can experience. God is not interested in putting a temporary smile on your face. He wants to deposit a resilient hope in your heart, not a shallow happiness that melts in the heat of adversity. But He does offer you a joy: a deep-rooted, heart-felt, honest-to-goodness joy that can weather the most difficult of storms.

 

Peter referred to this joy in the Scripture read by Dr. Bell:

 

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (I Peter 1:8-9)

 

Who was Peter addressing when Peter spoke of unspeakable joy? He was speaking “to God’s chosen people who are away from their homes and scattered around the countries of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, and Asia. These were persecuted Christians – people who had been driven from their cities, separated from their families. Their rights, their property, their possessions, their futures had all been taken. But their joy had not been taken. Why? 

 

Take a look at your memory verse on your bulletin: “You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.”

 

The source of their joy was Jesus! And since no one could take their Jesus, no one could take their joy.

 

What about you? What has been taken from you? Your health? Your wealth? Have you buried dream, a marriage, a friend? As you look at these burial plots of life, is your joy buried there, too?

 

If so, Max Lucado would say you have substituted courageous joy for contingent joy. Contingent joy is always dependent upon a circumstance. In fact, it’s not even joy; it’s “happiness.” Contingent joy says I’ll be happy when…or…I’ll be happy if.Contingent joy depends upon the right circumstance, and since we cannot control every circumstance, we set ourselves up for disappointment.

 

Envision the person who buys into the lie of contingent joy. As a young person, they assume, if I get a car, I’ll be happy. They get the car, but the car wears out. They look for joy elsewhere. If I get married, I’ll be happy. So, they get married, but then spouse disappoints. This goes on through a series of attempts, and in each case, happiness comes, then diminishes. By the time this person reaches old age, he has ridden a roller coaster of hope and disappointment, and becomes sour and fearful. Contingent joy turns us into wounded people.

 

Courageous joy, however, turns us into strong people. Courageous joy sets the hope of the heart on Jesus and Jesus alone. Since no one can take your Christ, no one can take your joy.

 

Think about it. 

·      Can death take your joy? No, because Jesus is greater than death.

·      Can failure take your joy? No, because Jesus is greater than your sin.

·      Can betrayal take your joy? No, because Jesus will never leave you.

·      Can sickness take your joy? No, because God has promised – whether on this side of the grave or the other – to heal you.

 

Death, failure, betrayal, and sickness cannot take your joy, because they cannot take your Jesus. And Jesus promised in John 16, “No one will take away your joy.” 

 

Is that to say you will never cross the drylands of sorrow? No. But your sorrow will not last forever. Again in John 16, Jesus promises, “Your grief will turn to joy” (Jn. 16:20).

 

Is that to say your life will be storm-free? Is that to say no sorrows will come your way? No. Courageously joyful people have anchored their hearts to the shoreline of God. The boat will rock; moods come and go. But because they have found a joy, which remains courageous through the storm, this courageous joy is quick to become a contagious joy. Jesus proclaims in John 16, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).

 

Christians of the New Testament church were not known for their buildings or denominations or programs. They were known for their joy. Acts 2 tells us, “They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts. They praised God and were liked by all people.” 

 

The early Christians were joyful Christians. In the purest sense, the phrase joyful Christian is redundant. We shouldn’t need the adjective. Ideally, we shouldn’t have to put joyful in front of Christian. But we do, because we tend to major in contingent joy, not courageous joy. But God can change that.

 

Assess your joy level: Are you joyless? Do you spread more pessimism than you do hope? If so, God can help you. Grimness is not a Christian virtue.

 

Billy Graham once wrote this: 

 

One of the characteristics of the Christian is inward joy. Even under difficult circumstances, there will be a joyful heart and a radiant face. Unfortunately, many Christians go around with droopy faces that give no outshining glory to God. A true Christian should be relaxed and radiant, capable of illuminating his surroundings. 

 

There are times when I feel I don’t joy, and I get on my knees and say, “Lord, where is the fruit of the Spirit joy in my life?” And I find the joy is there down deep. It is a deep river. Whatever the circumstances, there is a river of joy. 

 

Friends, believe that joy is possible! Don’t give in to despair. What Jesus said to His followers, He says to you. After He described the vine abiding with the branches in John 15, Jesus said: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)

 

Joy may be elusive, but it is never gone. Sometimes it just takes some work.

 

When my grandmother had cancer, I stayed at her house with her for weeks at a time. And I loved every minute of spending time with Granny and getting to know her as an adult. Every morning, Granny and I would wake up and sing a hymn. I’d ask her what she wanted to sing and many mornings it was Count Your Many Blessings. So, we sang. And when we came to the line that says ‘name them one by one’, we’d do just that: we’d stop singing and start naming our many blessings, one by one. And when we were through, we’d be confident in the truth that those many, many blessings did much more to relieve our pain and our anxiety than any medicine could ever do.

 

Anxiety thrives in the petri dish of if only. It doesn’t survive in the world of already. For that reason, I’ve learned to treat each anxious thought with a grateful one. And what are our blessings? 

 

·      Friends? Family? 

·      Grace from God? 

·      Gifts? Talents? 

Paul reminds the Philippians to, “Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. Again, I say rejoice!” Pull out that journal, write down your blessings every day, and take note of what happens. Sorrow grabs its bags and slips out the back door. Unhappiness refuses to share a heart with gratitude. One heartfelt thank you will suck the oxygen out of its world. So, say it often. Thank you, God. Thank you. 

 

Who is to say God won’t give the same to you? Why don’t you call out to Him:

 

·      Lord, what is separating me from joy?

·      Lord, replace my contingent joy with courageous joy. 

HE WILL. He WILL stir a revival of contagious joy in your heart.

 

Now at this point, you may be thinking to yourself, “Ashley, this is all fine and good, but we started off by talking about Jesus and His baptism, which led us into a sermon about joy. How are you connecting these topics?” 

Well, today is Baptism of the Lord Sunday, where we traditionally celebrate Jesus’s baptism, and remember our own. And I believe the way, or at least a way, we come to live bountiful, joy-filled lives is to remember our baptism, to remember who we are and whose we are. 

 

Baptism is a way of showing others we believe in God and want to live our lives the way God wants. It is an outward expression of an inner faith. And if we are living in such a way that is pleasing to God, surely, our lives are FULL of contagious joy! 

 

In all things - from the moment of our commitment to following Christ, to our baptism, to our daily lives - we are called to imitate Christ. And the joy of Christ consisted in doing His Father’s will and work. When we remember our baptism, we gain confidence in Jesus, knowing He is who He says He is. We come to rely upon Him and follow Him in everything we think, say, and do.

 

Joyful living starts with a knowledge of His faithfulness, and then it must make its way down to the heart. If we don’t allow God’s character and faithfulness to become a transformative reality of our heart, we will never bear the fruit of the Spirit. So, in order to begin a lifestyle of joy, we must ask God for a fresh revelation of His character and faithfulness. We must see God for who He is, reflect on His faithfulness as demonstrated in Scripture, in the lives of other believers, and in our own lives, and allow these revelations to transform our hearts’ desires and bear the fruit of the Spirit.

 

Think for a moment about when you first committed your life to Jesus. Or think about a time in your life when you were on fire for the name of Jesus, boldly going and doing what God asked of you. Think about when you were fearless in your faith, when your faith was innocent, and powerful, because you trusted God with reckless abandon, and believed the Word with absolute authority.

 

Maybe some of you are there now. Maybe some of you have forgotten because it was so long ago. 

 

 

Today, I want us to remember who we are in Christ and our commitment to Christ — so that we can be a people who live for the glory of Christ. Remember that the covenant that has been extended to each of us, and to which we have entered into, is an active participation in Christ’s body. We are the body of Christ. We may be growing in what that means, and how to truly live this out, but it IS who we are. 

If you’ve had your passion for the Lord fade, if you’ve had your fire go dim, and no longer live with excitement about living for the glory of God, this is a great opportunity to say, “God, rekindle my love for You. Take my heart again and renew it and make it Yours, LORD. I have forgotten who you have called me to be. I have allowed other things to push You to the margins, but today I want to renew my faith commitment to You.”

 

And friends, maybe you haven’t made this commitment to Christ yet. If you’re wondering or wandering, know this is the life God offers you. Come talk with Carl, or me, or any of our pastors after the service. 

 

Friends, hold onto the covenant promise that is yours. You are included in the new covenant. You have identified with the death of Christ, and you are participating in the resurrection life of Christ. You have received the Holy Spirit, and you are part of the body of Christ. You are cleansed of your sins. You are washed, set free, and given life. Your passion is renewed. Your heart is restored. This is all of the hope and the promise that is given to you, as you remember and celebrate your baptismal covenant. It is a powerful reminder of what God has done in your life, and a reminder that you are called to imitate Him. 

 

Around the room there are several bowls filled with water. Several down front by the altar, and one in the balcony. As we come to the close of the sermon, we’ll enter into a time of prayer and music. I invite you to come and remember your baptism outwardly. 

 

Walk to one of the bowls. Dip your fingers in the water. Make the sign of cross on your forehead or on your wrist. It doesn’t matter. 

 

This is symbolic – an outward expression of an inner trust - for you to remember the activity of God in your life, and your commitment to be a follower of Jesus, to have your heart and passion renewed, and to remember you are forgiven. Spend some time at the altar, if you’d like. 

 

When we celebrate a baptism, we ask the one being baptized, or their parents, several questions, and I’ll invite you to hear them again: 

 

1.       Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
reject the evil powers of this world,
and repent of your sin?

2.      Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves?

3.      Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior,
put your whole trust in his grace,
and promise to serve him as your Lord,
in union with the Church which Christ has opened
to people of all ages, nations, and races?

 

And I’ll ask you two more questions based on our memory verse: 

1.       Though you have not seen Him, do you love Him?

2.      Though you do not see Him now, do you believe in Him? 

 

Friends, I pray that you do, so that you will be filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  May it be so, friends. May it be so. 

 

 

Let us pray: 

God of grace and glory, 

You call us with Your voice of flame 

to be Your people, faithful, joyful, and courageous. 

As your beloved Son embraced His mission 

in the waters of baptism, 

inspire us with the fire of Your Spirit 

to join in His transforming work. 

We trust You, Lord, 

and we rejoice in inexpressible joy

that you are Lord of our lives. 

Help our joy to overflow onto others, 

so they, too, will know the joy that comes with belief. 
Amen.

 

The choir will first sing an anthem, 
and then we will move into our closing hymn, 
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.” 

 

Friends, now is the time. 
Come and remember your baptism and be thankful…and joyful!