Joy is to be an evidence of walking with Jesus!
The book we are studying in our home group is called “Outflow”. The basic premise is that we are to let Jesus so fill our lives that He spills out and overflows from our life to others. Over the pass three weeks while reading the book I had to come to the conclusion that I was not experiencing the “overflowing” presence of Christ in my life. I began praying and asking Jesus to so fill me and that He would “restore to me the joy of your salvation”.
Some of the great hymns of our faith that emphasize JOY are:
• Joyful Joyful we adore thee
• Joy to the World the Lord is Come
• He Keeps me Singing
• There’s a glad New Song
• The Joy of the Lord is my Strength
• Joy down deep in my heart
Psalm 122:1 “I was glad when they said to me let us go to the House of the Lord”. Did you feel glad when you thought about coming to church today?
The problem is we don’t always feel joyful about being a Christian. Turn to Psalms 51:12 --- please stand in honor of the reading of the Word of God. READ
When I read these words of King David “restore to me the joy of your salvation” I think about my need to have Christian joy. I would guess that some of you struggle with the issue of Christian joy as well?
Let us look closer at this verse of scripture in hopes of “restoring the joy of our salvation”.
I. Restore
In this Psalm King David is repenting of his sins committed with Bathsheba and planning the murder of Uriah her husband. In his remorse over his sins, he made this petition “restore to me the joy of Your salvation”. Maybe you can identify with King David. Maybe you are feeling grief over your sins and brokenness. Whisper his prayer of hope.
When you restore something it means you had to have it at sometime. To restore the joy of salvation means you have to be a saved person. When I use the word “saved” I am referring to a person who has received God’s gift of forgiveness or salvation. If you have not be saved or born again yet, then you need to start with doing that.
I believe when King David says “restore” he does not mean he needs to get saved all over again. There are many churches who will teach that you can lose your salvation. If it were up to you, then you could lose it. It is not up to you --- salvation is a gift from God so it is eternal just like Him.
Think about one of the verses that we quote often John 3:16. Quote it with me ….
What kind of life does God promise you in this verse? Everlasting. It is not based on whether you live a perfect life and never sin again. It is not based on good works or how you feel.
You cannot lose your salvation, but you can lose your fellowship and joy. David had done that. Through the mistakes and poor choices that he had made by having the affair with Bathsheba and having her husband Uriah killed, David had done some terrible sins. They had taken from him the fellowship with God he enjoyed and they robbed him of the joy of his salvation. I would imagine that many of you can identify with David. You either have been emotionally where he was or you are there today. You can say with King David “restore to me the joy of your salvation”.
II. The joy of your salvation
What is it that you are asking God to restore in your life? The joy of your salvation.
Joy is an essential part of our relationship with Jesus. Joy is pure, exciting and motivating. In Galatians 5:22 we are told “joy” is the second of the seven fruits of the Spirit.
I can imagine there is at least one person in this sanctuary who disagrees with me about the Christian life being filled with JOY. I have met some people over the years that are convinced that Christians cannot have fun or smile or feel joy. They have the Puritan idea that a Christian is to be serious and introspective all the time.
Worship involves both introspection and celebration. In the Jewish faith God set up five joyous celebrations and 2 solemn ones. What this indicates is that there needs to be both worship types but with twice as many being praise, adoration and celebration of whom God is.
When you have Christian joy you are excited about Jesus and His Church.
When you have Christian joy, then you are glad when you think about going to church and worshipping the Lord!
Christian joy is not brainless, silly or ill rational. You see people and situations as God sees them.
When you are filled with Christian joy you are motivated to serve God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
I was talking with a man this week and he said to me “I don’t feel like going to church”. I shared with him that he probably would not “feel” like going as long as he stayed at home. Right attitudes follow right actions. He needed to get himself up and come to worship services and then I believe the Lord would motivate his heart.
How does the world tell you to be happy?
1. Remember the song “Don’t worry be happy”.
2. Another song “Put on a happy face”
It is hard to not worry and to put on a happy face when the bills are coming in and you are out of money.
It is hard to not worry and put on a happy face when you health is failing and you don’t feel good.
The world does not have solutions to our greatest problems, but Jesus does.
How do you restore the joy of your salvation?
A. Through understanding where Christian joy comes from --- a close relationship with Jesus.
Look at John 15:11 READ
The Life Application Bible has in its footnote on this verse: “True joy transcends these waves of circumstance. Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus. When our lives are intertwined with His , He will help us walk through adversity without sinking into lows or moving into deceptive highs”. (page 1589)
Now turn to John 17:13 READ
Jesus wants His followers to be filled with joy. Are you filled with joy?
There is a difference between Christian joy and worldly happiness.
Christian joy worldly happiness
• from knowing and
trusting Christ circumstances
• steady unpredictable
• defeats discouragement covers it up
• lasting temporary
B. Through “abiding” in Christ
Turn to John 15:1-5 READ
To “abide” in Christ is to walk in a daily relationship with Him. To help us understand this concept of “abiding” in Christ, Jesus gave us the illustration of the Vine and branches. The source of life for the branches was in the Vine. Jesus is the Vine and we need to be in a good relationship with Him to experience all God has designed us to be.
Young people having fun does not mean you have to do drugs, get drunk or have sex. God has designed you and it is in an “abiding” relationship with Him that will bring to you your greatest fulfillment.
I am going to speculate about something … I believe there are lots of Christians who are experiencing the JOY God has intended for them. The reason is simple --- they have professed faith in Jesus and attend church some, but are trying to straddle the fence. They are trying to be “in the world and in Christ” at the same time. Rather than enjoying either one, they are frustrated and confused.
Conclusion:
I could end this sermon here and most of you would feel good thinking you will try harder to live in the Joy of the Lord. I found myself in a situation on Saturday where I could loose my joy in the Lord and did what I usually do in that situation --- became frustrated and responded to the circumstances with sadness. It dawned on my about a half hour after that experience that I had failed to obey my own sermon on. God is working to develop our character and we must listen and learn from every experience in life.
If you have lost your JOY, then pray and ask Jesus to restore it to you.
If you have not ever prayed and ask Jesus to come into your heart and become your Savior, then come forward and let’s do that today.
Prayer
