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Elements of the Joy of the Lord
by Pastor Alex Lindsay
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Reference: John 15:1-21

As we stated last time, The purpose of this study is to understand that the joy of the Lord is offered to us. We are not talking about a feeling or mood that comes over us. We are talking about understanding our position - our relationship with God. We want to enter into the joy of the Lord. We want to receive His joy and put it into practice in our life.

Consider John 15:11. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

Christ must be the source of our joy. He speaks His joy into us. It is a joy that is complete, without earthly additives. No other circumstances, experiences, possessions, or relationships can add or take away from this. It is based on our eternal relationship with the Father that Christ has provided for us. As you apply this to your life, you will be greatly challenged. The world, the flesh, and the Devil don't make this easy. But the grace of the Lord is sufficient.

Nehemiah 8:10 says that ". . . The joy of the Lord is your strength." We must learn how to use His joy in our spiritual warfare. It is inseparable to the command in Ephesians 6:10, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." We cannot overcome the world, the flesh, and the Devil without the joy of the Lord. The following passages do not all have the words "joy" or "rejoice" in them. But the themes of love, hope, faith, peace, contentment, grace, and the resurrection of Christ are all components of what the Lord gives to His people. These all cause them to celebrate their relationship with Him and overcome all that is not of God. Please meditate on these Scriptures:

  • John 14:1-6,15-29; 16:22-24,33
  • Philippians 3:1-3; 4:1,4-13
  • II Corinthians 12:7-10
  • Galatians 5:13-26
  • I John 1:1-4; 2:15-17; 3:1-3; 4:4-6,16-19; 5:1-5,19-21
  • Psalm 16:11

Again - Consider John 15:11. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." What are "These things" which Christ has spoken unto us in John 15:1-21. Let's examine the statements that come before and after John 15:11.




Fulness of Joy from Christ in John 15:1-21

This passage (actually all of chapters 13-16) presents a paradox for worldly wisdom. On one hand, we see all the elements of having a fruitful life of love, joy, and peace. On the other hand, these same Scriptures reveals suffering, hatred and turmoil coming from the world. The world cannot be our source of lasting joy. The world is a source of conflict, robbing us of joy, if we allow it. The world also attempts to counterfeit joy by offering shallow happiness and pleasure which are short-lived and often destructive.

The Elements of Joy found in John 15:1-21 (Key verse: John 15:11)

  • Fundamental crucial connection with Christ - John 15:1-7,16
  • Fruitful living as we follow Christ - John 15:8,16
  • Focus on Christ's love. Be faithful to His primary commandment of love - John 15:9-13,17
  • Friendship with Christ - John 15:13-15
  • Fractured relationship with the world for Christ's sake - John 15:18-21

In the following messages we will consider these elements in more detail:

Originally delivered February 20, 2022
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