Joy in Knowing Jesus

August 28 1988 AM

Introduction:

Philippians is a book full of JOY. It speaks of peace and of quality of life, and of power and adequacy. But it doesn't stop short of JOY.

What IS joy?

Joy is hard to describe. It isn't necessarily "fun," and yet it is deeply satisfying; it isn't against good fun. It can happen on good days, but it also can go on deep down inside on not so good days, as well! It is something that bubbles up from within that says: It is good to be alive! It is something LIKE having a "good time" going on on the inside of our very being.

[Do you know what a really good time is? It is something you can enjoy in anticipation, and then as you experience it, and then every time you remember it, as well!]

WHAT IS JOY?

JOY IS THE GROWING ASSURANCE THAT YOU ARE ALIVE, AND BEING AND DOING WHAT YOU WERE CREATED TO BE AND DO. This JOY is the privilege of every son and daughter of God, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does Paul tell us about JOY?

I. CHRIST'S JOY IS FOR REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SITUATIONS

(Remember, Paul was writing this to a minority group in a pagan city. And he was writing it while he himself was a prisoner of the Romans.)

It is not incidental that Paul seems to be refereeing a disagreement right in The middle of this passage about "quality life!" Euodia and Syntyche are having a problem seeing eye-to-eye!

  1. I used to think this was an interruption of the flow of this passage about peace and joy. You can't talk about peace and joy when there is a squabble going on! Or can you?
    1. These are real Christians!
    2. They are having a real quarrel! At least serious enough to immortalize them with Paul's admonitions!
    3. They are not being kicked out of the church ... but they are being urged to agree, not only so there will be peace, but so that they can have personal peace and real joy!
  2. EVERY Christian can experience the peace of God. We can KNOW the joy of the Lord if we will!
    1. JOY, as well as PEACE and POWER are the by-products of the single goal of knowing Jesus Christ!
    2. We have to begin NOW, right in the middle of LIFE as it is... and not wait until things are more "ideal."

II. CHRIST'S JOY STANDS THE WORLD ON ITS HEAD!

(It is different from what you might expect!)

  1. IT IS TO BE A GENTLE JOY!

    "Let your GENTLENESS be evident to all." Meekness, humility, teachable-ness are at the very top of the list in Christ's kingdom. The world admires raw power. It doesn't understand meekness, which is power under control. But don't be deceived: the greatest power IS under control! Jesus said, "The MEEK shall inherit the earth!"

  2. IT IS ALSO TO BE A PRESENT JOY!

    The English word "present" has at least TWO meanings that apply in this passage; meanings that can help us to understand and grasp God's JOY.

    1. present means here and now. We are to expect God's JOY here and now ... not just when the storm blows over, and when it is easier to manage.
    2. present means give, or gift. And we are to GIVE the situation, the circumstances, the DAY to God.
  3. IT IS ALSO A LOVING JOY!

    Get this through your head. God is GOD! And God is GOOD! He does understand. His "silence" is not absence; and he cares for you more than you know. Personally! Tenderly! Lovingkindness is God's very nature!

    The NATURAL way of thinking about loving God is: "If I KNEW Him better, I could love Him more!" or, To KNOW Him is to LOVE Him!" But as we walk with God we find: THE MORE WE LOVE HIM, THE BETTER WE KNOW HIM! Or, TO LOVE HIM IS TO KNOW HIM! And this is where real JOY begins!

    So never stop loving Him! Job said: "I don't understand! But I do trust Him!" LOVE GOD BACK! There is JOY in that kind of attitude!

  4. PERHAPS THE KEY IS this, that OUR JOY IN CHRIST MUST BE AN INTENTIONAL JOY!

    We must choose to go the way of rejoicing!

    Within the framework of love and obedience to God, we can look at the prison cell, and the hard facts of discipline, and the unanswerable questions, OR, we can do as Paul tells us here: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things."

And he dares to go on and say: "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me— put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you!"

Conclusion:

How many really joyful people do you know? You can be among God's JOYFUL PEOPLE... but not necessarily by a trip to an altar. And not in an instant or in a day or a week, perhaps. Old habits aren't changed that easily.

But how about if we try these four simple things for the month of September:

  1. Cultivate the spirit of gentleness. (I'll be speaking about that, Lord willing, next Sunday morning.) MEEKNESS is not WEAKNESS!
  2. Determine to have present joy. (In spite of the circumstance, I'll give it to Jesus, NOW!)
  3. Reflect God's love. Send it back to Him! Let Him know that He is your Father and you're glad of it! Seek to be a loving child!
  4. Claim Philippians 4:8,9: Be a positive pray-er!

Remember the Christian's definition of JOY?: JOY IS THE GROWING ASSURANCE THAT YOU ARE ALIVE, AND BEING AND DOING WHAT YOU WERE CREATED TO BE AND DO. Every one of us can have this JOY that Jesus gives!

You can be what Jesus Christ wants you to be! You can fulfill the highest and noblest purpose God has for your life!

Even if at the moment you are experiencing difficulties! Even if you are having disagreement! (Remember Euodia and Syntyche??) We can choose to go God's way ... and then we can choose to be filled with Christ's JOY!

Prayer: Help us not to stop short of Your promise of JOY! Amen.

EH 22 O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus