So you wives tap your husbands on the shoulder and say, “Wake up! Listen, you need to hear this sermon!!!
I want to preach on this subject for two reasons:
(1) No one likes to be around a GRUMPY person…NO ONE!
(2) You can not be an effective Christian if you are a GRUMPY CHRISTIAN!
WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE SO GRUMPY?
People are Grumpy because they choose to be Grumpy.
Some would have us to believe that the reason they are GRUMPY is because they have a physical problem that makes them that way.
In other words GOD IS TO BLAME!!!
God has never made a GRUMPY CHRISTIAN.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
God’s plan for His children is that they have the ABUNDANT LIFE not a GRUMPY LIFE!!!
I do not buy they are a GRUMPY PERSON for one moment BECAUSE God made them that way.
They are a GRUMPY person because they choose to be GRUMPY!!!
God the Father wants His children to be JOYFUL!!!
But some cling to these PHYSICAL PROBLEMS because it gives them an excuse to choose to be GRUMPY!!!
Living a GRUMPY life has become a way of life for some folks.
Illus: When you see them coming you do not need to ask them how they feel? You know already how they feel…GRUMPY!!!
God is a God of JOY!
Listen, I as a Christian:
• Do not want to be a member of a GRUMPY CHURCH!!!
• Do not want to even attend a GRUMPY CHURCH!!!
• Do not even want to hang around GRUMPY PEOPLE!!!
• Do not want to preach in a GRUMPY CHURCH!!!
They are miserable and they will make your life miserable if you associate with them.
Illus: Let tell you about an old grumpy man and his wife.
While on a road trip, an elderly couple stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch. After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant, and resumed their trip.
When leaving, the elderly woman unknowingly left her glasses on the table, and she didn't miss them until they had been driving down the road about forty miles.
She told her husband and he started GROWLING!!!
• By then, to add to the aggravation, they had to travel quite a distance before they could find a place to turn around.
• They had to return to the restaurant to retrieve her glasses and her old GRUMPY husband was GRUMBLING ALL THE WAY!
• He fussed and complained, and scolded his wife relentlessly during the entire return drive.
• The more he chided her, the more agitated he became. He just wouldn't let up for a single minute about her leaving her glasses in the restaruant.
• To her relief, they finally arrived at the restaurant.
• As the woman got out of the car, and hurried inside to retrieve her glasses, the old geezer yelled to her, "While you're in there…you might as well get my hat and the credit card I left there."
Illus: One man said my new neighbor is a grumpy old German.
• The man said what is his name?
• The man said I do not know his name but I guess you could call him Mr. Sour Kraut.
Listen God never intended for His church to be filled with a bunch of SOUR KRAUTS!
God wants His church to be a JOYFUL PLACE!!!
The Lord gives us His JOY each day, but the devil tries to rob us of it each day.
Remember that verse of scripture I read to you a few minutes ago. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The devil will make sure every day GRUMPY people will enter our life to strip every ounce of joy that they can to extract from our life.
These PEOPLE spare no effort to rob us the JOY OF THE LORD:
• They will drive across town TO STRIP US OF OUR JOY.
• They will walk in the rain and snow for miles TO STRIP US OF OUR JOY.
• They will spend the last dollar they have TO STRIP US OF OUR JOY.
• After a joyful church service they will meet you in the church parking lot TO STRIP US OF OUR JOY.
They are GRUMPY people and the devil is using them to rob people of the JOY OF THE LORD!
Illus: Dr. Odell Belger tells the story as a young pastor starting a church he had to tear down a large two story duplex house to build a new church building on this site to build.
After the men of the church got off from work they would join him in this monumental effort to tear down this two story house.
But sometime before they got off of work he
would go to the sight alone and work on the
demolition project.
One of the times he was working at this demolition site alone on a hot sunny day a woman in the neighborhood came over where he was working and asked what do they plan to build once the house had been removed?
He smiled and said we are going to build a nice
church here!
She grunted loudly to herself and said, YOU MAY BUILD A NICE CHURCH HERE BUT YOU WILL NEVER FILL IT!
But she was dead wrong!!! Because it was filled
to capacity many times!
The point I want to make is that the devil will
send people into your life to rob You of your
joy if you let him!!!
Illus: In Columbia, S.C. there is a restaurant call LIZARD THICKET and the first time I heard about this restaurant called LIZARD THICKET I said they will never make ago of it because I do not know anyone that eats LIZARDS.
Later I found out it was a nice place that provided good southern food and many times this place is packed to capacity.
The reason I mention this restaurant is because they have a large sign inside that tells their customers, “Be Nice or Leave”.
I think every church should have a sign like that inside of their church!!!
There is a lot of GRUMPY PEOPLE that have chosen to be GRUMPY and they are miserable and they will make your life miserable if you allow it.
Let me give you an example in the scriptures.
Luke 9:52-54 And they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Notice, just because these unbelievers did not respond the way these disciples wanted them to respond they wanted TO CALL FIRE DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND DESTROY THEM!!!
Listen, I know people who profess to be saved and I am glad God has not given them power to call down fire from heaven because if He did there would a lot people lying around that look like burnt toast.
While GRUMPY PEOPLE might be doing everything they can to make life miserable for others, each day the Lord Jesus does everything He can do to make our life JOYFUL.
Look again at John 15:11, we read, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
The joy we Christians have within us is the JOY OF THE LORD that He has provided for us.
NOTICE, it does not say He gives us HIS HAPPINESS!
Why?
Some folks think that JOY and HAPPINESS are the same, but they are not.
Happiness comes from happenings.
Illus: Some day we can get up.
• The sun is shining
• There is not a pain in our body
• Even the dog that normally takes one looks at us and growls in the morning, is wagging his tail like he is glad to see us
Everything that day HAPPENS to fall in place, and we find ourselves HAPPY!
• Happiness comes from without, but JOY comes from within
• Our HAPPINESS depends on HAPPENINGS.
• Our JOY DEPENDS ON JESUS
I might not be happy about what's happening in my life, but on the inside I can be joyful because of my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ depends on Him not on circumstances.
The Lord wants to give us HIS JOY because He LOVES US, and He knows it is critical to our SUCCESS AS A CHRISTIAN.
As Christians, all kinds of bad things might happen to us that rob us of our HAPPINESS!
Why?
BECAUSE WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER OUR HAPPINESS
Illus: Like many of you I use to be caught up in collegiate football. I had a favorite team and when they WON I was thrilled. But when they LOST I was miserable the whole week end.
I had no control over my happiness because my happiness DEPENDED ON MY FOOTBALL TEAM.
• As we face these many difficult times in life, we need the JOY OF THE LORD!
WE HAVE CONTROL OVER OUR JOY!
Illus: Remember when Nehemiah was rebuilding the walls in Jerusalem? He had a great deal of opposition in this endeavor.
He literally had people making fun of his ability to do such a job. They said if a little fox jumps on the wall it will fall down.
The men that helped him had to face this ridicule on a daily basis.
But notice what he said to them in Nehemiah 8:10, we read, “Then he said unto them…FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH.”
DID YOU GET THAT?
The JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!
When you loose the JOY OF THE LORD you do not have any spiritual strength.
Illus: Let me ask you something…
(1)What do you say when folks greet you in the morning?
Some would say something like this. Life is rough, I am tired and aggravated!
And you wonder why nobody wants the kind of salvation you got?
YOU LOST THE JOY OF THE LORD!!!
What do you say when someone ask you…
(2)How was the church service yesterday?
It was ok I guess, but that preacher does not know when to shut up!!!
And you wonder why folks will not come to church with you!!!
Try inviting them to church and see what kind of response you get…YOU LOST THE JOY OF THE LORD!!!
How about when you go home today…
(3)Your lost husband or wife ask you did you enjoy church today?
No, not really!!!
And you wonder why your lost loved ones do not understand why you even bother to attend yourself.
You have allowed the devil to strip you of the JOY OF THE LORD!
One reason we have so many weak
Christians today is because they have allowed the devil to rob them of their joy and they have become a GRUMPY OLD CHRISTIAN THAT PEOPLE DODGE THEM WHEN THEY SEE THEM COMING!
One reason today we have so many Christians who cannot influence people to come to know Christ is because as they look at the misery in their Christian’s life, they are afraid if they accept the Lord they will catch what they have caught.
Illus: Covid 19 taught us all this lesson there are some people you need to stay away from as far as you can get away from them! I am no talking about six feet, I am talking miles away from them…THEY WILL CONTAMINATE YOU!!!
Illus: The divorce courts are filled today because some are married to someone that are so GRUMPY they cannot stand to be around them anymore!
Illus: See that woman over there (My wife) --- that is one joyful woman seven days a week, NOT BECCAUSE CIRCUMSTANCES IN HER LIFE ARE PERFECT IT IS BECAUSE SHE HAS THE JOY OF THE LORD seven days a week.
I can be sitting in my MAN CAVE at home and I can hear her singing throughout the house “ISN’T HE WONDERFUL! WONDERFUL! WONDERFUL!”
Illus: (Humor)It is enough to make you sick! With all the misery in the world SHE HAS THE JOY OF THE LORD!
There are too many grumpy churches and
people are staying away from them as far as
they can get.
Now there are some who have a FALSE
JOY!!!
Illus: Years ago when the PTL CLUB first came on television I watched it. Not on a regular basis but sometime if was convenient I would watch it.
What really caught my attention whe they first came on the air there were thousands of people rejoicing in the Lord? I THOUGHT THAT WAS GREAT!!!
As I saw this I thought I wish my church was like that when they came into the house of God.
One Sunday I was out of town and I was coming home and I had to past by this place on a Sunday evening and I was looking for a place to attend church.
Since I was near this place I decided I would stop by to see what made these people who appeared to be so JOYFUL!
I sat in the very back and when I got there about forty five minutes before the service started I noticed these people very closely.
BUT THEY DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY MORE JOYFUL THAN MY CONGREGATION.
They were like any other congregation of people talking to each other not about the Lord but about politics and sports.
About thirty minutes before they went on air a man came out on the platform and led them in some peppy music.
And they sung those songs the way our church sing those songs.
These people were acting just like any church
would act.
In fact, some of them look like my
congregation like they were having a gall
bladder attack while they were singing.
They then announce that they would be on the air in five minutes and they had a count down.
When they came on the air this ordinary congregation all of them started smiling, hollering and shouting with joy like they just won Reader Digest ten million dollar sweepstake!
I then realize it was a PLAN JOY not A
REAL JOY. A FAKE JOY, NOT A REAL
JOY!
But God has a REAL JOY FOR HIS CHURCH NOT A FAKE JOY!
You and I can only be effective for Christ if we have the JOY OF THE LORD.
WHAT KIND OF JOY IS IT?
I. IT IS A PRESCRIBED JOY
He said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you…”
Based on the Word of God, we know that it is the will of God for His joy to remain in us.
That is what the scriptures teaches us, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you…”
Before we can appreciate a verse of scripture, we have to put it into the context in which it was written.
Such is the case in this verse of Scripture where He speaks about His joy that He wants to remain in us.
For example, He spoke these words after they had left the upper room. The disciples were very sad for a number of reasons.
Why?
He had just told them some very alarming things in the upper room.
He dropped three devastating bombs in their laps:
(1) HE DEALT WITH A DISPUTE
In Luke 22:24, the disciples had been arguing among themselves as to who was the greatest.
After their ridiculous debate, they had a chance to:
• Get away from the hustle and bustle of the Passover week
• Take off their dirty sandals
• And sit down and relax
They had a custom then that we do not have today called foot washing.
• They did not have socks and shoes as we have today, they wore sandals and so when they went some where their feet were dirty.
• Also they did not have paved sidewalks or paved streets so when they went to different places when they reached their distination they had dirty feet.
Foot washing was the custom in those days.
• Foot washing was such a menial task, that not even Jewish slaves were expected to do this lowly job.
• Only the Gentile slaves were forced to do such things.
But while these big shot disciples were fussing over who is the greatest among them, what a shock it must have been that the Lord wash their dirty feet.
Not any one of these bragging disciples could have decided to take the first step and wash the feet of their fellow disciples.
But not one of the disciples, but the Master who decides to do the washing of the feet.
• You might be saying, I would not wash any ones dirty feet!
• If you want to live a life like Christ you would!!!
Illus: When I was young man after I became a Christian I attended a church that believed the Bible teaches FOOT WASHING. I had never heard of such a thing.
I was always taught you wash your feet before you came to church not after you came to church.
But I was a young Christian and they told me this is what the Bible teaches. I learned later this is not what the Bible teaches.
But as a young convert I was willing…
• They had all the men to come into one room and all the ladies went into another room.
• I did not know what to expect but I noticed everybody took their shoes off.
• And each one took turn washing each other feet as the Lord washed his disciples feet.
The man who I was sitting beside was an old man and I had to wash his feet.
• I noticed right off hand his big toe was sticking out of his sock.
• I also noticed when he pulled his sock off I noticed something else it has been a long time since he had been in a foot washing service. His feet were filthy!!!
It was a very humbling experience to wash his feet but the Lord when he washed the disciples feet after they had been arguing who is the greatest he was teaching HUMILITY NOT FOOT WASHING.
Remember they had been arguing who was the greatest.
What a shock it must have been that the Son of God knelt at their feet, and washed their dirty feet.
And the Lord Jesus HUMBLE HIMSELF AND WASHED THEIR DIRTY FEET. SUCH HUMILITY! The God of the universe washed their feet!
THIS WAS A SHOCKER!
But also look at another shocker -
(2) HE DEALT WITH HIS BETRAYAL
In the second part of the Upper Room discourse Jesus drops another bomb into their laps.
He says in verse 21, "But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table."
He did not mention any names but he said him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
In other words, this man who is going to betray me…THIS LOW DOWN RASCAL…HE IS HERE AT THIS TABLE!!!
These were the same fellows who had been arguing WHO IS THE GREATEST!
THIS HAD TO BE A SHOCK!!!
They were shocked of Him making such a statement about one of them.
The only thing they wanted to know was, "Lord, who is it?"
But this loving Savior would not embarrass Judas and He did not mention his name out of love for Him even though He was going to betray Him!
But already in shock with the things they are facing this day -
(3) HE DEALT WITH HIS ASCENSION
He was preparing to depart and go back to the Father and leave them behind.
This is not one of their best days; they were shocked with what they were hearing and how it would affect them:
• The foot washing incident
• The betrayal incident
• Now He tells them HE IS LEAVING THEM AND GOING BACK TO HIS FATHER
Needless to say, THIS WAS NOT A GOOD DAY:
• These disciples were sad
• These disciples were worried
• These disciples were afraid
What does He say to them in this condition?
Look at John 15:11again, we read, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
Notice, He said MYJOY!!!
• He knew…they knew of HIS JOY!
• And they did not say…WHAT JOY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT! They knew He was talking about HIS JOY!!!
He was a joyful person to be around.
Illus: Artist always paint Christ picture with a straight face and no smile.
• But notice the Lord said He was going leave HIS JOY with them.
• Also He said I want MY JOY to REMAIN IN YOU!!!
He was saying to them, even though you are sad, "If you do what I tell you, you will be able to experience the JOY OF THE LORD even during difficult times."
Illus: Have you ever been a caretaker for a friend or a loved one on their death bed.
• This is a tough job!
• It will wear you out!
Why?
Because you are HAVING TO LIVE TWO LIVES.YOUR LIFE AND THE SICK PERSON!!!
Also you have those who live a GRUMPY LIFE BECAUSE THEY ARE TRYING TO LIVE FOR THE DEVIL AND THE LORD JESUS.
God tells us if we want to experience the JOY OF THE LORD in our life we cannot live two lives, one for the devil and one for the Lord.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
• Put Christ on the top of your list and YOU WILL LIVE THIS ABUNDANT LIFE WHICH IS THE JOY OF THE LORD.
• Put Christ second, third or fourth in your life and you will never have the JOY OF THE LORD.
His JOY IS A PRESCRIBED JOY and we have to be willing to make Christ LORD OF OUR LIFE!!!
II. IT IS A PERMANENT JOY
He said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might REMAIN IN YOU….”
Notice the words “remain in you”. God wants you to have His joy every day of your life.
Seven days a week and twenty four hours a day!!!
The word “remain”, means abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain.
It is clear from the Scriptures that God wants our joy to be permanent.
Not that there won't be any BUMP SPOTS in the road along the way but through these BUMP SPOTS HIS JOY WILL REMAIN IN YOU.
GOD WANTS HIS JOY TO REMAIN IN US AT ALL TIMES!
• This is why in James 1:2-4, we read, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
• This is why in Romans 8:28, we read, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
God wants us to manifest this joy.
Illus: Every one of us knows someone who needs the Lord Jesus as his Savior.
Stop and think. What kind of a billboard are you for Christ?
• Can they see the joy of the Lord in the midst of adversity in your life?
• Does your joy in Christ shine through in spite of difficult circumstances?
If you're just as miserable as anyone else when things don't go your way, why should anyone want the Jesus you serve?
• His joy is a PRESCRIBED JOY,
• A PERMANENT JOY,
but also-
III. IT IS A PREEMINENT JOY
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
Look at the words, “…joy might be full”.
The Lord not only wants us to have joy, He wants us to be so FULL OF JOY, that there's not room for any sorrow.
Illus: When you have a glass of water that is FULL TO THE BRIM there is not any room for anything else.
Illus: I was eating at a restraint the other day and this particular restaruant has one waitress that has a wonderful personality.
She asked me what would I like to drink?
With this good personality that she has I said to her, GIVE ME A FULL GLASS OF COLD TEA. I do not want a half or a fourth, I want a full glass of COLD ICE TEAL.
But I want you to fill it up with most of it with unsweetened tea and a little tad of sweet tea on top.
She said, Well, I usually sweetened your tea by putting three or four fingers in your tea but since you want just a tad unsweetened tea I will use my little finger OF SWEETERNER AND STIR IT UP…ok?
And she walks away smiling.
She came back with the tea I said something is wrong with this tea, I believe you made a mistake and stuck your big toe in this glass.
The Lord wants our joy to be A FULL JOY so there want be any room for any GRUMPINESS IN OUR LIFE!!!
It was never Jesus' intent that He’d have a bunch of grumpy disciples.
• In John 20:20 when the disciples first saw the risen Lord, they were joyful.
• In in Acts 2:46-47 when the early church gathered there was an attitude of joy.
• In Acts 5:40-41 these early believers were even joyful when they were persecuted for the sake of Christ.
The lost worlds can TAKE AWAY OUR
HAPPINESS BUT THEY CAN NOT TAKE
AWAY OUR JOY!!!
And may I remind you again that you cannot have fullness of joy in your life without the fullness of the Holy Spirit in your life. (Romans 14:17 Romans 15:13)
His joy is a…
• PRESCRIBED JOY,
• PERMANENT JOY,
• PREEMINENT JOY.
But also-
IV. IT IS A PERSONAL JOY
Perhaps you have been waiting for me to tell you where you can find that joy?
I know exactly where it can be found.
Look at Psalm 16:11, “…in thy presence is fullness of joy.”
WHERE CAN YOU FIND JOY?
The Bible says, “IN THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY”.
Illus: Listen you can hang out with GRUMPY people and when you leave them you feel like you want to go home and take a shower!!! You want to wash off of that GRUMPINESS THEY HAVE DUMPED ON YOU!!!
Notice when it comes to the JOY OF THE LORD WE ARE TOLD, “IN THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY”.
Many people have been going to the wrong place to find Joy!!!
The Lord Jesus has the franchise ON JOY, and if you ever hope to have joy in this life you will need to come to Him.
The world can give you happiness because happiness depends on THINGS THAT HAPPENS IN OUR LIFE but only God can give you JOY!!!
This explains why:
• When we spend time at the feet of Jesus, we leave with joy
• When we come to church where the Lord has promised to be in the midst of two or three who have gathered in His name, we leave with joy
Illus: How many times I have heard people say, “Preacher, when I came to church I was sad but now after being in His presence I am leaving with the JOY OF THE LORD!!!
But in some churches they do not have the JOY OF THE LORD and people leave church the same way they came!
One of the sad things that we find in our churches today is the absence of joy.
There should be:
• Joy in our preaching (Lots of Aman, Praise the Lord!)
• Joy in our singing (Joy in our face)
• Joy in our giving
• Joy in our testifying
• Joy in our teaching
• Joy in our witnessing
• Joy in our fellowship
And listen, if you are a saved child of God and you do not have the joy of the Lord, it is no one’s fault but your own. You have chosen to be a GRUMPY OLD CHRISTIAN!
Illus: Do you know why happily married couples have happy marriages? They stay close TO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. They do not allow ANYTHING or ANYONE come between them.
Do you know how to remain joyful as a Christian?
Stay in the the presence of he Lord ! Abide in Christ!
In His presence is fullness of joy.
The reason that many Christians are so sad today is because they are GOING TO THE WRONG PLACE TO FIND JOY.
They do not spend enough time in His presence.
Conclusion:
Chris Tomlin - Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy) [Lyric Video]
The secret to joy is ABIDING IN CHRIST, not sometimes, but all the time.
Do not be a part time GRUMPY Christian, ABIDE IN CHRIST 24 HOURS A DAY SEVEN DAYS A WEEK!
The Lord wants every child of God to have His joy.
I. IT IS A PRESCRIBED JOY
II. IT IS A PERMANENT JOY
III. IT IS A PREEMINENT JOY
IV. IT IS A PERSONAL JOY
V. IT IS A PERSONAL JOY
Play during the offering
Joy Unspeakable-A Mullett Family Lyric Video
YouTube
4.9K views
2 weeks ago
