Hey everyone and welcome to The Refinery.

Go tell it to the mountains is the theme for the next few Sunday mornings, and emphasises the need for modern day followers of Christ to broadcast the good news that was proclaimed so dramatically at the time of His birth.

Today’s message is, The Joy of Living.

Scripture Reading

John 15:11-17 NKJV

11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 

12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 

14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 

15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 

16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 

17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

Introduction.

Talking about joy in today’s world is a difficult thing to do.

Almost everyone we meet is unhappy with their jobs, and where they live.

Joy seems to have vanished from our world.

Look at the faces of the people around yours you go about your day, you will probably see many frowns.

Listen to people’s conversations, you will probably hear complaints and arguing.

What can bring joy to living?

Jesus wanted people to have joy.

He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

What kind of joy was Jesus talking about?

1. It is an independant joy.

Many people believe happiness depends on circumstances.

They think a new job or a new car or a new set of clothes would make them happy.

They wish they had more money or more power, then they would be happy.

Jesus gives a joy that does not depend external circumstances.

At what point in Jesus’ ministry dodged He speak the words of today’s text?

He was talking to His disciples about joy on the day before He was going to die.

Even then Jesus could speak about joy.

The joy that Jesus gives is an inward joy.

It does not depend on eternal circumstances.

Regardless of circumstances, Jesus’ joy makes a person happy.

2. The Joy of Jesus is the result of knowing Him.

Many people make the pursuit of happiness the energy of their existence.

Happiness eludes us when we expend all our energy searching for it.

True happiness is the result of a relationship with the Lord.

It was once said, “One thing I know. The only ones among you who will be really happy are the ones who have sought and found how to swerve.”

Jesus gives a joy that results from service to Him.

Jesus had joy because He obeyed the Father.

Hebrews 12:1-2, The Race of Faith

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

To Jesus, joy was the result of accomplishing the Father’s will.

We have joy only when we obey God’s will.

Joy is a result of obedience.

Jesus had joy because He trusted the Father.

Jesus believed that no matter what happened, the providence of God would prevail.

God will never lose control.

Joy results from a profound trust in the Lord.

3. The Joy Jesus provides is an abiding joy.

Many people search for short lived happiness.

Many people experience temporary pleasure when they receive a pay increase or some other monetary gain.

But the pleasure the world offers doesn’t satisfy for long.

Jesus gives a lasting joy.

Nothing can destroy the joy Jesus brings.

The joy of the Lord will prevail through all kinds of crises.

4. The joy Jesus provides is a full joy.

So many people survive an a false happiness.

Abraham Maslow, a Jewish psychologist, I identified several levels of human needs.

You may have heard of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

The first two needs are survival and safety.

People need food and shelter, and they need a feeling of security.

Yet, according to Maslow, there are much deeper needs.

A person could have the basic needs met and still be unhappy.

Some people never move beyond basic physical needs to discover the joy of finding meaning for live.

Jesus gives a joy that satisfies to the fullest.

He wanted His disciples to have “complete joy.”

This means a joy that lacks nothing.

Jesus alone can provide a joy that fulfils every part of our existence.

Conclusion.

You don’t have to be miserable!

Jesus wants to give you joy.

Don’t be fooled by the world’s temporary joy.

Abide in Jesus, obey His commands, and let Him fill you with His everlasting joy.

Until next time

Stay in the Blessings

I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.

When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.

Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!

You’re important to God, and you’re important to us at The Refinery.

When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you.

So whatever you’re concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us at www.refinerylife.org

2024 IS A YEAR OF DECISIONS AND OPEN DOORS

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