Find Joy In The Journey - Love - 1 John 2 Series

Transition Video: Dennis Swanberg – Easter Sunday

Series: Find Joy in the Journey in 2019

Thesis of series: Joy needs to be experienced in the journey of life! But Joy, like any other attitude, can come and go. It is not guaranteed simply because we are born again believers. We must put ourselves in the places where experiencing joy is a possibility. We need to go after and find joy in our journey of life. What are you doing to cultivate joy? Remember joy is a choice!

Many get all caught up in our, so called, destinations but in the process, we never enjoy the moments in the journey of life to that destination. But God is more concerned with the journey, than the destination so we need to focus less on the destination and enjoy the journey today – we need to find the joy in the here and now.

Introduction to Series:

Quote from Chuck Swindoll’s book “Laugh Again”: “I know of no greater need today than the need for joy. Unexplainable, contagious joy. Outrageous joy.”

Studying about joy in Scripture, looking at verses which speak of joy, helps build an understanding of how to put ourselves in places where it is possible to find and maintain an attitude of joy in our journey of life. Scripture reveals it is possible to find laughter and joy in living life in a sin-filled world! The Apostle Paul teaches us this can be done!

Scripture Texts for 2019:

Phil. 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

John 15:11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Summary of 1 John 1 – You find joy in the journey through connecting with the Word of Life which then leads you into the Light. The Light will lead you to Love and in this process you will find joy!

Sermon 6: Find Joy in the Journey - Love - 1 John 2

Thesis: The discovery of Love and the actions of love opens up our eyes to see Jesus, to hear Jesus and to touch Jesus, but the action of hate causes us to be blind to Jesus, deaf to Jesus and out of touch with Jesus. Love puts us in the light while hate traps us in darkness.

Scripture Text:

1 John 2:1 (NIV)

1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

1 John 2:2 (NIV)

2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:3 (NIV)

3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.

1 John 2:4 (NIV)

4The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 John 2:5 (NIV)

5But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:

1 John 2:6 (NIV)

6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

1 John 2:7 (NIV)

7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard.

1 John 2:8 (NIV)

8Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

1 John 2:9 (NIV)

9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.

1 John 2:10 (NIV)

10Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.

1 John 2:11 (NIV)

11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

1 John 2:12 (NIV)

12 I write to you, dear children,

because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

1 John 2:13 (NIV)

13 I write to you, fathers,

because you have known him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

because you have overcome the evil one.

I write to you, dear children,

because you have known the Father.

1 John 2:14 (NIV)

14 I write to you, fathers,