Sermon Central
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Sometimes You Feel Like A Nut -Filled To The Brim
Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 9, 2010 (message contributor)
Summary: In the Scriptures "Water" is often a symbol of .the "Word of God". It is important to understand that Wine often times in Jewish literature is a reference or a symbol of joy. Do you need to be filled anew, to be filled to the brim with joy? Updated August 2020.
If you are a follower of the Christ, ...... you know... ...that your life should be filled ... Filled with ... and overflowing ... with joy.
You probably also know ...... that you should experience joy ... in spite of ... life's circumstances.
The Scriptures clearly teach us... that the joy of the Lord is ...... (Open Hands) our ... strength.
And that God given ... spiritual joy ......is present ...no matter ... life's circumstances.
When Jesus prays to the Father in John's telling: He is direct, Hear God's Word: BIBLE ...I pray that... "they may have the full measure of my joy... within them." END (John 17:13),
Are you filled with the full measure of Joy? (Pause)
If you are a little low ... on your level of Joy this morning ... well, ... you are in Luck.
For I brought some extra "Joy" with me this Morning (Evening).
Let's see:
I have a bottle of Joy dish-washing detergent, .... a Joystick ... and An Almond Joy.
So...What happens ... when you run out of "Joy"?
You have an empty bottle ... a video game ... that does not work ... an empty candy wrapper.
I had to include Almond Joy ... because it is one of my favorite candy bars.
And it reminds me that if you are joyful ... in all circumstances ... in all the world troughs at you;
Well the world may see you as a little nutty.
A little nutty in a good way ... Or as Paul proclaims a fool for Christ.
Many of you may know the Almond Joy jingle ... So Help me out: ...
Sometimes you feel like a nut (Hands Out) ... Sometimes you don't.
Well ... Life just isn't quite ... (Pause) ... are you ready for this?
Life isn't quite as .... enjoyable ... when you run out of "joy"!
And we need joy ... spiritual joy ... Why?
For the joy of the Lord ... is ... (Open Hands) our strength.
Amen? ... OR .... Am I speaking truth?
Maybe you are here today, .... and you have lost or misplaced ... some ... or all ... of your "joy".
Something is troubling you ... something is bothering you.
Something... is robing you ... of your joy.
You have aloud worry ... to impact ... your very being.
You have been disappointed, ... hurt, ... or even grieved.
You are running ... on empty.
You have lost ... or misplaced ... your "Joy".
Now ... The Apostle John tells us in our text ... how Jesus restored "joy" ... to those who attended a marriage celebration ... in Cana ... of Galilee.
And Praise God ... He can do the same ... for you.
So how does Jesus restore .... "Joy" you ask ?
Well thank you for asking.
(1 Finger) First and foremost if we want spiritual joy ... we need ... to be ...... where Jesus is! (John 2:1-2)
John tells us that it is ... the "third day".
Why?
Because ... 3 days earlier, ... Jesus had called ... His first 5 Disciples.
And I am convinced ... that when John mentions Quote ... "the third day".
He was also giving us a hint, ... a glimpse ... at our Lord's ... resurrection.
Well ... soon after the calling of these 5... they were invited to a marriage celebration ... in Cana ... of Galilee.
You think it is expensive ... to have a wedding today ...... and it is.
Back then ... a Jewish Wedding Feast ... lasted ... a full week.
They would begin with a sort of parade, ... and the father of the bride ... would bring his daughter ... ... to the home ...of the groom.
The whole town ... would join in ... on this parade.
It was a huge celebration ... for everyone.
When they arrived at the groom's home, ... the marriage ceremony ... would take place ... at the front door.
Then ... the feast began ... which lasted for 7 days ... paid for ... by the groom's family.
There was no honey-moon ... they had an ... "open house" ... and ... an "open bar" ... for a week.
Lots of food ... and wine ... a week-long ... celebration.
Jesus and His 5 Disciples ... were invited ... to this wedding feast.
Imagine the Change ... for some of these Disciples.
At least 2 of them ... had been disciples of John ... the Baptizer.
And John the Baptizer ... was not what you would call a socialite ... He ate grasshoppers ... and wild honey ... wore animal skins for clothing ... lived in the wilderness... and he drank ... no wine.
John the Baptizer ... might not be very comfortable ... at a wedding feast.
