Worship led by Lee Jerrome
Colossians 3: 16 – 17 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly …… as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God …………”
Worship the Lord in Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs
- Psalms
Read Psalm 34: 1 – 10, and Psalm 136: 1 – 10
SONG: Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King.
Read Psalm 8: 1 – 9
SONG: Lord, how majestic you are
Read Psalm 23: 1 – 6
SONG: The Lord’s my shepherd
Read Psalm 104: 31 – 34
SONG: I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live.
- Hymns
Medley of some verses only of
- I will sing the wondrous story
- for a thousand tongues to sing
- I will sing of my Redeemer.
- Spiritual Songs
- All my days I will sing this song of gladness
- King of kings, Majesty.
Ken Cowell’s Message
The Importance of Christian Joy
1. Timothy 6.17, Acts 16.25, 2. Corinthians 8.2-3, 1. Thessalonians 1.6, Philippians 4.4
How important is joy in a person's life? It would seem to be important to God for us to have joy in our lives as we read in 1. Timothy 6.17 of “God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” God desires us to experience joy and has given it to us in many different ways. Think of the happiness we get through the five senses of sight, touch, hearing, taste and smell. We see a beautiful sunset or some majestic mountains and feel awestruck. We love the feel of a warm hug or touching a baby’s soft skin. We are moved as we listen to a famous piece of music, or hear someone sing with a beautiful voice. We enjoy the taste of a cold ice cream on a hot day or some chocolate cake with a cup of tea. We love the smell of freshly made bread or the scent of a rose. Then we have the joys of relationships with family and friends and a host of many other activities that bring us so much pleasure and fun. These things are not chance but God’s gift to everyone of his creation. Even though we live in a broken world through man’s sin, and there is much sorrow and suffering, God also has really thought about enriching our lives with happiness and joy. Joy and happiness is really important to us as we seek it as one of our primary goals in our lives.
The problem with this worldly happiness is its temporary nature. It comes and goes like the wind. It is built on pleasant circumstances like good health, success, wealth, pleasure and good relationships. When these situations are in place we feel happy and that defines our happiness. Sadly, life isn’t one round of complete good circumstances. There are many sudden bad events such as a terminal illness, the death of a loved one, a financial crisis, family breakdowns and many other trials and suffering. With those circumstances it takes away our feelings of happiness so our joy and happiness disappears. But God has provided another kind of joy and happiness that remains even though the outward circumstances are at their worst. This is the joy the Christian has and its source is not the same as that of the world.
Christian joy is totally different. It doesn't depend on outward circumstances. An example of this is seen in the lives of Paul and Silas who were missionaries bringing the gospel to different countries. One night they find themselves in a cold, damp and dirty prison after being beaten and flogged. The night is at its darkest hour and they did something very unusual. We read, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16.25) You can understand Paul and Silas praying in that critical situation asking God for help, but singing praises to God seemed bizarre. Even the other prisoners seemed amazed as they were listening to them. Paul and Silas’s joy didn't come from their surrounding circumstances which could give them good feelings making them happy. They were suffering in pain and bleeding from their beatings, yet they had joy in their hearts which caused them to praise God in song. You don't normally sing with joy when you are in pain. This was a joy that was beyond understanding yet very real. It wasn’t a natural joy but supernatural.
Another example of Christian joy is seen in the actions of the Macedonian churches. The church in Macedonia were facing severe trials and in extreme poverty. Yet, we read “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.” (2. Corinthians 9. 2-3) Paul records this account of their sacrificial giving in such a desperate situation. What prompted such a sacrifice to meet the needs of others when they themselves were in great need. They were motivated by their overflowing joy. That isn’t normal joy but goes way beyond our understanding. It wasn’t just joy but overflowing joy. How could they do that when facing such adversity themselves? This is Christian joy which is completely different from the joy and happiness in the world that depends on good things happening around us..
One more example is when the people in Thessalonica became Christians and followers of Christ. We read, “You became imitators of us and the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” (1.Thessalonians 1.6) These people upon believing in Christ received severe persecution yet they continued to believe. Why was this? The joy they received upon believing was greater than the persecution they were to receive. Such persecution would normally put a stop to our faith knowing there would be pain and suffering ahead. What made them continue knowing that the road ahead would be so hard? It was joy that couldn’t be extinguished even bv persecution. This again was a special joy quite unnatural. It was supernatural. It was joy given by the Holy Spirit. This joy didn’t come from outward circumstances but came from inside them. They had discovered that when they believed in Jesus they had received the Holy Spirit. The evidence of His Presence in them was this joy that outshone the trials they were to encounter. Jesus had come to live within them by his Spirit and that was the source of this amazing joy. The person inside them was far more wonderful than the suffering they faced on the outside. Joy is a fruit that the Holy Spirit is present in the life of a believer in Jesus.
As we have looked at three examples of Christian joy we can see a common link with each. Paul and Silas rejoiced in prison because they knew Jesus was with them. After they stopped singing, they spoke about Jesus and the jailer believed in Jesus and along with his family became a Christian. When the church even in extreme poverty gave sacrificially with overwhelming joy we read it was the grace of God given to them that enabled them to give. In the last example the people believed in spite of severe persecution because of the joy given by the Holy Spirit. The source of Christian joy is threefold. It comes from God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This joy is not found in the world because it is found in the Trinity God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Sprit and that is what makes it supernatural. The key to Christian joy is an intimate relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Christian joy has nothing to do what’s on the outside but on who is living on the inside. So many people who say they are Christians don’t have this joy. One reason is that they substituted religion for a relationship with God. Their Christianity is just following rules, regulations and rituals about religion. One characteristic of the last days before Jesus comes are those who “have a form of godliness but denying its power.” These are people who look like Christians and talk like Christians but don’t act like Christians because they don’t have power. True Christianity is about power to live the Christian life not just talk about it. That power comes from a close relationship with the Lord. It also comes from joy in the Lord. Nehemiah says it clearly to God’s people, “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8.10) The joyless Christian is the powerless Christian. If there is no joy there is often fear and weakness. That is one reason why joy is important. Joy should initiate power that motivates our witness. Paul clearly states its importance in Philippians 4.4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice.” Why does he say it twice in one verse? So we don’t forget easily. No, it’s not just that, it’s because its very important. Why is it a command? Again, it is because it is very important. We are given commands in the Bible because we naturally do the opposite. If we wait until we feel joy then we won’t be joyful very often because so much around us that discourages us from getting that feeling. Joy isn’t just a feeling. It becomes a feeling, but it begins with a choice. Paul and Silas chose to pray in the prison when they probably didn’t feel like it. From choosing to pray it became praise. Joy begins with is a choice. Paul said these words to the Philippian church when he was in prison, so he practised what he preached. He didn’t just say rejoice. But rejoice in the Lord. His joy came from the Lord. Just looking around him would only bring discouragement and disappointment, but looking to Jesus above him who is also above all changes the situation. The change begins first in him as the psalmist says, “Those who look to him are radiant.” (Psalm 34.5.) The situation around may not change at first, but the change begins in me. A good definition of joy I read was this. Joy is a good feeling that begins in the heart when we delight that God is with us and whatever circumstances we find ourselves in that he is working things out according to his plan. That is what Paul experienced in the prison. There are different ways of having joy. Sometimes you might sing. Other times you might shout. You might raise your hands in joy. But there are times when there is just a deep joy in your heart that brings peace. We are commanded to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Does that mean 24/7? How can I rejoice when I’m asleep? What happen if I’m at work? Do I stop and start saying Hallelujah? What Paul is really saying is, Rejoice in the Lord at all times. Not just in the good times but in the bad times. Our joy in the Lord should be irrespective of the circumstances around us. Also not just at certain times like Sunday when I come to church but anytime in the week. One key to fulness of joy is have the joy of Jesus in me. Jesus says “that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15.11) It is as we remain in him that his joy is in us with the result that our joy is complete. This means we can’t experience fulness of joy without Jesus. Jesus didn’t come to make our lives dull and miserable but to give us a life of complete joy.
When and how does a person discover this wonderful joy? In the gospels we have the story of the lame man who was brought to Jesus by his four friends. They couldn’t get to Jesus because of the crowd so they lowered him through the roof. Jesus healed the man and no doubt he went home rejoicing because of he could walk again. But before he received that physical healing he received a far greater healing. The first words that Jesus said to him were, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” The Message translation says “Cheer up, son; I forgive your sins.” Jesus never said anything about his legs but the priority was the cleansing of sin in his heart. Before Jesus heals him physically he heals him spiritually by forgiving his sins and that is something to truly rejoice about. The most important joy Jesus wants us to give us first of all is the first is the forgiveness of sins. The joy of knowing we are free from the guilt and punishment of our sin. So Christian joy begins when we receive God’s salvation with the forgiveness of sins. That is the reason why God sent him into the world. “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” When we are saved that is when we first taste Christian joy. The hymn writer captures this joy in the words,
My sin – O the bliss of this glorious thought-my sin-not in part-but the whole
is nailed to His cross; and I bear it no more; praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul.
For the lame man that joy was greater than the joy of walking for the first time.
After the disciples returned with joy from a successful mission where they healed people and cast out demons, Jesus said to them, “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10.20) There are many joys we can experience in the Christian life but the joy of salvation and the certainty of our place being secure in heaven is one of the most wonderful. This joy only comes repentance of sin and faith in Christ. When people meet Jesus for the first time and receive him into their hearts they experience great joy that transforms their lives. This joy is one evidence of becoming a Christian.
When people met Jesus, their lives were transformed and experienced great joy. After Zacchaeus the rich tax collector met Jesus, he gave back the money he had cheated people of four times the amount and half of his money to the poor. That was the result of the joy he had found through Jesus. The woman who met Jesus at the well of Samaria after believing in him went back to the town and spoke to everyone about him with the result that many believed in Jesus. Again, it was the joy through knowing Jesus that motivated her to share the message about him to others. In my own case when I really understood who Jesus was I was sharing the message with others. I expect many can testify a similar experience when coming to know Jesus for the first time.
Our joy in Jesus grows as we get to know him more intimately. This joy isn’t based on any visible evidence like some of the early disciples. When the disciples saw the risen Lord we read of their joy in John’s gospel. “They were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” (John 20.20) What about ourselves who haven’t seen the Lord. Can we rejoice like them? Jesus spoke to Thomas who doubted his resurrection and said “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Can those of us who haven’t seen Jesus in his resurrection glory have the same joy as those who did see him? Peter writing a letter to Christians who were being persecuted by the Roman empire some thirty years after the death of Christ answers that question. “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” ( 2.Peter 1.8) In the midst of their terrible persecution they had an “inexpressible glorious joy.” It wasn’t based on any external evidence for they had never seen Jesus. It was based on their love for Christ and their faith in Christ. By not seeing Jesus in his resurrection body they didn’t miss out on the joy of knowing and believing in him. The evidence was clearly seen in the radical joy they had and showed it to others. Like them by our love and trust in Jesus we too can demonstrate to others by our joy in him that he is alive and well today.
Closing Song: Rejoice, Rejoice, Christ is in you
Notices
- Wednesday 19th April at 10.30am – Coffee Morning
- Speaker next Sunday – Lee Jerrome