12/14/2025
Since we didn't have church this morning I wanted to share some of my sermon notes:
It is the third Sunday of Advent. Today we focus on the JOY which came to Earth from the glory of heaven.
Jesus is the source of Joy.
The Gospel of John in chapter 15 verse 11, the Lord Jesus declares,
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full"
His joy: we must remember that Jesus Christ is the Almighty, and from him comes all things good. Jesus doesn't only have joy. He is joy. Joy is part of his being.
Jesus isn't simply giving us something He has, but something He is! Jesus is giving us Himself, and in Him is joy. This is the joy of the Lord which we are told about in Nehemiah 8:10. It reminds us, "The Joy of the LORD is your strength."
The joy we experience in this life outside of Christ is a remnant of what he had given us through creation. When man was made in the image of God we had full Joy and all things good in us. Since the fall and the depravity of man we can only enjoy moments of joy. We long for more joy in this life, and often find it in things that are unfulfilling. Our joy here is certainly momentary. Nothing in this world can truly satisfy fallen man. There is no amount of Joy from things in this world that will last!
His Joy is everlasting: or can remain in us.
In the above verse we see that the joy we receive from Jesus remains in us. His Joy remains in us as long as we put our faith and trust in him. Christ is the eternal, everlasting God, therefore everything he is is eternal. When Christ is living in us through faith we have everything he is including Joy consistently, and constantly in us. What a thought! No matter where we go, or what circumstance we find ourselves in-there is the joy of the Lord!
The world hasn't changed. Death, sadness, pain and suffering are all still a part of this world. Heartache and disappointment are things we will all go through until we pass on from this world. But those who are in Christ have "a joy inexpressible and full of Glory."
I Peter 1:8. This Joy is unchanging, and constant. It is eternal. The Lord Jesus says that this Joy -his Joy, will remain in US. You can count on that promise! And that should fill us with joy!
His JOY makes our joy complete! Notice how I capitalized His "JOY." That is because as I stated above Joy is His character. It is not something simply Jesus has. It is a part of His being. Our joy, lowercase, is a remnant of a past image. It is broken and deficient. It's not good enough to get us through the dark times. In fact our joy disappears during the difficult times we go through in this life. It is often that most of our disappointments and suffering is a result of searching for more and more joy. What a predicament we find ourselves in! His JOY makes our joy complete.
No need to look any further. True, complete, and fulfilling Joy is found only in the person of Jesus Christ.
Do you have this JOY? Can you sincerely say that when you receive a bad diagnosis, or go through heartache and pain, that no matter how sad you may be feeling there is a constant and great joy that overwhelms your soul? Do you have the strength to continue on in the faith when everything else in your life seems to fall away? If you can say yes then you have the JOY of the Lord.
If you cannot say yes as a matter of fact, and with certainty then there is something you can, and must do. The Bible tells us to turn to Jesus. The old cliche, "Jesus is the answer." It's truly not a cliche at all. It is, in fact the truth. If you desire your joy to be complete and everlasting no matter what the circumstance and no matter where you're at, you must turn to Christ. Don't ask him for joy. Ask him for Himself. He will not give you Joy outside of Himself. We must receive Jesus if we're going to receive this joy 'unspeakable and full of glory!'
Don't wait another moment. Put your faith in Jesus Christ today, and receive him as your God and the savior of your soul that He may restore your life and your joy!
