That Your Joy May Be Full
That Your Joy May Be Full
Sunday, November 11, 2007
“And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” 1 John 1:4
1. This was John the Baptist’s testimony (John 3:29) and the exact words from our Lord also (John 15:11).
“The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.” (John 3:29)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 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. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:1-11)
2. Before we get started let me just state that you will never know any true joy until you know Jesus Christ. He is the source of all true joy.
3. To live in this evil world and keep our joy “full” John writes this epistle to remind Christians of some basic facts. One is that the whole mind and outlook of the world is opposed to God and it is under the dominion of the wicked one - Satan.
4. That as Christian men and women we must realize we are living in a world like that and because it is a world that is opposed to God it will be doing everything it can to bring us down.
5. It will be continually trying to fill our minds with things and try and satisfy us with the pleasures of this world that keep us from God and Christ.
6. Christians are to think biblically about this world and the evil therein. We are not to think that things are better than they are but we are to have joy despite the world around us.
7. We are not to fear neither Satan nor this world system and John goes to great links to tell us that we must not fall into a state of fear because “perfect love casteth out fear” (1 Jn 4:18). Paul in writing to Timothy said “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, love and a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7).
8. John is going to tell us in these first three chapters that to have our joy in its fullness means that we guard against things that militate against it in this world.
9. Our fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ is the source and supply of all Christian joy. Thus, we have to guard against things that can break this joy. Four things we are going to look at today as we finish this thought out:
10. First there is the hindrance of sin. This can be divided up into committed acts of sin, and the refusal to acknowledge or confess sin which leads to a loss of Christian fellowship and joy. (1 John 1:5-10)
11. Second hindrance is the lack of love to the brethren. Jesus said “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) If there is anything wrong in my relationship with my Christian brothers and sisters then I lose my joy. Also, when you lose contact with the brethren you also lose fellowship with God, your love for God and your assurance that you belong to God. (1 John 3:11-15)
12. Third hindrance is a love of the world. A desire after the world and its pleasures leads to a loss of Christian joy and fellowship with the Father. You cannot mix light and darkness, you cannot mix God and evil; therefore if you love the world you lose fellowship with God and you lose your joy. (1 John 2:15-17)
13. The last thing which interrupts fellowship with God is false teaching about the person of Jesus Christ as John tells us at the end of chapter 2. The only way to God the Father is through God the Son - the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are in any way wrong about your teaching or your doctrine concerning Him then you automatically sever the communion with Him and thus lose your joy.
(1 John 2:18-25)
GracePointe Baptist Church
2209 N Post Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73141
Phone: (405) 769-5050