Jesus is our Joy
Sermon Title: The Advent of Christmas: Jesus is Our Joy
Sermon Text: Nehemiah 8:10, John 15:11
Sermon Date: December 17, 2017
Why joy is important
- It helps bring people to Christ-The most attractive quality we have to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus is the joy we have in him. That why I want our worship services to be marked by joy, enthusiasm and happiness.
- Joy is important because it give us strength to do the work of the Lord-Psalm 100 says serve the Lord with gladness.
- I. The Supernatural Source of this Joy
Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world. It is not an idea. Not a conviction. Not a persuasion or decision.
II. The Steadfast Stability of this Joy
· Steadfast in Sorrow — Being a joyful Christian does not mean you will not have sorrow. In fact, John 16:20 states, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice...." But you can have joy in spite of sorrow.
· Triumphant in Tribulation — Not only are you going to have sorrow, you are going to have tribulation. In John 16:33 we read, "...In the world, ye shall have tribulation...." But Paul sang praises to God at midnight in the Philippian jail. The same joy is available to you.
· Abundant in Affliction — Afflictions may come and go, but Jesus is still there. Jesus knows your afflictions and offers joy in their midst. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 says, "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost"
III. The Sufficient Supply of Joy
IV. The Sublime Secret of Joy
· A absolutely dependents The vine sustains the branch and provides everything needed. The branch never has to worry about its provisions.
· Complete Restfulness What we do on our own has no eternal value.
· Ultimate Surrender It is the vine that produces the grapes — the fruit of the Spirit — which includes joy. In order for there to be this dependence and restfulness, there must be total surrender.