John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Yes Friends, the word for today is ‘joy,’ as in the joy of the Lord. The dictionary describes ‘joy,’ as a noun, depicting a vivid emotion of pleasure, gladness, things that cause delight, ecstasy or rapture. And as a verb it means to rejoice, gladden, to be buoyant, effervescent and expansive. In Jesus’ time it carried the same connotation. It reflects a positive enthusiasm, which we, as followers of and believers in Christ need to express in our everyday lives; some eagerness, some anticipation, some passion to get out there and do the Lord’s will, even if it’s just walking down the street with a pleasant look on our face. Too many supposed Christians go around with sour, scowl-like looks on their faces, and have attitudes so curt and sharp, that seem to brook no joy at all in their lives. Friends, that kind of disposition simply drives people away. Note, Jesus said, ‘These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you.’ He had just told His disciples about Him being the vine and they the branches, and if they abided in Him they would bear abundant fruit. And Friends, nowhere in the Good Book does it say that Jesus went around with a sour scowl on His face. He wasn’t always laughing like a mad man, but He surely was pleasant and approachable. That’s why so many troubled people reached out to Him in their time of need; they did not get vibes of rejection but rather of invitation. Not only through His words did He say, ‘Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ (Mat.11:28) His outward attitude and demeanour also extended that invitation. I wish we could say that about some of our fellow believers, who think that because they’re born again, they have to disassociate themselves from anything that causes joy, happiness, or fun. But my brethren it’s the exact opposite attitude we should be embracing and showing if we’re true followers of Jesus, cause our sins have been forgiven, and we have the certain promise of eternal life with Christ, the greatest gift in the world. So why should we be sour and miserable eh? Really Friends, for such a magnanimous, magnificent and merciful gesture from our God, we should be wearing a permanent smile and feeling a constant joy in our hearts, because we know that in spite of whatever trials and tribulations we suffer in this mortal life, we’re confident that our future is secure, it’s assured by the Word of the Lord. We are in the real safe hands of the most powerful Being in existence, whose promises are always kept. So what’s there to be sour and miserable about? Even in rough times, no, especially in rough times, we need to look towards that future, hold it up as the bright, shining light and example it is, and tell ourselves, this too shall pass, because that’s the truth my people. Everything else will pass besides God. To make matters worse, how can we witness with a sourpuss, grouchy attitude eh? You can’t tell people about the good news of Jesus with a sad, melancholy, hang-dog demeanour. Something’s obviously wrong with that picture! It’s obviously not good news if you’re not enthused and eager to share it. I’ve seen that attitude too often and it’s turned me off completely. So if it turns me, a believer off, what do you think it will do to unbelievers? That’s why so many unbelievers consider Christians either hypocrites or jokers, or both. We spout one thing with our mouths but show the exact opposite with our lives. And the dictum that examples work more forcibly than talk is ever so true. Now I know we can’t laugh and smile all the time, but if we’re true believers our basic attitude should be one of joy, congeniality, cheerfulness, conviviality based on a foundation of a good, pleasant and helpful nature that the born again Spirit of Jesus infuses in us. Oh Friends, because we’re Christians doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy life. Within the parameters God has set out for us, there’s lots of room to be happy and joyous. And if we don’t accept that, then we’re making a mockery of all that Jesus died for. Remember He died for us to have life, and have it abundantly, not to go around looking beaten and dragged down. And He says, ‘These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.’ That means we should enjoy life. And enjoying life doesn’t only mean enjoying the fleshly lusts of the world. There are lots of other things in the world worth enjoying. Jesus was so concerned about our joy that He told His disciples; ‘Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.’ (John 16:24) He even prayed to His Father about it: ‘And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.’ (John 17:13) Even John, in his winter years, when dealing with the churches around him, said, ‘ And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.’ (1 John 1:4) So my Friends, let’s ditch the unpleasant, disagreeable demeanour and replace it with that right spirit which all followers of Jesus should have; that’s faith mixed with diligence, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and LOVE. ‘For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Pet.1:8) Then shall your joy be full my Friends. Much LOVE!…please…let’s practice what we preach…witness by good example…
Yes Friends, the word for today is ‘joy,’ as in the joy of the Lord. The dictionary describes ‘joy,’ as a noun, depicting a vivid emotion of pleasure, gladness, things that cause delight, ecstasy or rapture. And as a verb it means to rejoice, gladden, to be buoyant, effervescent and expansive. In Jesus’ time it carried the same connotation. It reflects a positive enthusiasm, which we, as followers of and believers in Christ need to express in our everyday lives; some eagerness, some anticipation, some passion to get out there and do the Lord’s will, even if it’s just walking down the street with a pleasant look on our face. Too many supposed Christians go around with sour, scowl-like looks on their faces, and have attitudes so curt and sharp, that seem to brook no joy at all in their lives. Friends, that kind of disposition simply drives people away. Note, Jesus said, ‘These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you.’ He had just told His disciples about Him being the vine and they the branches, and if they abided in Him they would bear abundant fruit. And Friends, nowhere in the Good Book does it say that Jesus went around with a sour scowl on His face. He wasn’t always laughing like a mad man, but He surely was pleasant and approachable. That’s why so many troubled people reached out to Him in their time of need; they did not get vibes of rejection but rather of invitation. Not only through His words did He say, ‘Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ (Mat.11:28) His outward attitude and demeanour also extended that invitation. I wish we could say that about some of our fellow believers, who think that because they’re born again, they have to disassociate themselves from anything that causes joy, happiness, or fun. But my brethren it’s the exact opposite attitude we should be embracing and showing if we’re true followers of Jesus, cause our sins have been forgiven, and we have the certain promise of eternal life with Christ, the greatest gift in the world. So why should we be sour and miserable eh? Really Friends, for such a magnanimous, magnificent and merciful gesture from our God, we should be wearing a permanent smile and feeling a constant joy in our hearts, because we know that in spite of whatever trials and tribulations we suffer in this mortal life, we’re confident that our future is secure, it’s assured by the Word of the Lord. We are in the real safe hands of the most powerful Being in existence, whose promises are always kept. So what’s there to be sour and miserable about? Even in rough times, no, especially in rough times, we need to look towards that future, hold it up as the bright, shining light and example it is, and tell ourselves, this too shall pass, because that’s the truth my people. Everything else will pass besides God. To make matters worse, how can we witness with a sourpuss, grouchy attitude eh? You can’t tell people about the good news of Jesus with a sad, melancholy, hang-dog demeanour. Something’s obviously wrong with that picture! It’s obviously not good news if you’re not enthused and eager to share it. I’ve seen that attitude too often and it’s turned me off completely. So if it turns me, a believer off, what do you think it will do to unbelievers? That’s why so many unbelievers consider Christians either hypocrites or jokers, or both. We spout one thing with our mouths but show the exact opposite with our lives. And the dictum that examples work more forcibly than talk is ever so true. Now I know we can’t laugh and smile all the time, but if we’re true believers our basic attitude should be one of joy, congeniality, cheerfulness, conviviality based on a foundation of a good, pleasant and helpful nature that the born again Spirit of Jesus infuses in us. Oh Friends, because we’re Christians doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy life. Within the parameters God has set out for us, there’s lots of room to be happy and joyous. And if we don’t accept that, then we’re making a mockery of all that Jesus died for. Remember He died for us to have life, and have it abundantly, not to go around looking beaten and dragged down. And He says, ‘These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.’ That means we should enjoy life. And enjoying life doesn’t only mean enjoying the fleshly lusts of the world. There are lots of other things in the world worth enjoying. Jesus was so concerned about our joy that He told His disciples; ‘Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.’ (John 16:24) He even prayed to His Father about it: ‘And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.’ (John 17:13) Even John, in his winter years, when dealing with the churches around him, said, ‘ And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.’ (1 John 1:4) So my Friends, let’s ditch the unpleasant, disagreeable demeanour and replace it with that right spirit which all followers of Jesus should have; that’s faith mixed with diligence, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and LOVE. ‘For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Pet.1:8) Then shall your joy be full my Friends. Much LOVE!…please…let’s practice what we preach…witness by good example…
SCRIP-BITS 