Sermon on 6 December 2020 by Ps Justin
Introduction
When we are filled with the Spirit of Joy, Christ is in us. He dwells in us. The Spirit of Christ abides with us forever. Remember that when we go through trials and tribulations, we are being strengthened.
But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. – 1 Corinthians 6:17
1 John 3:24 tells us that if we keep His commandments, we abide in Him. We have to obey. To follow is to obey, and to obey is to abide.
Message
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. 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. 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, and that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. - John 15:1-17
You are chosen. God chose you. And you choose to abide in Him. Anyone who does not, will be thrown into the fire.
Is your joy complete? If it isn’t, why not?
What is your joy level; Is your joy tank full? Empty? Or half full? God wants our tank to be full – complete.
What is the thing that is robbing you of your joy? God wants our joy to be complete and perfect. The things that the world wants are the things that steal your joy. For example, money and material wealth. The feelings of the world are on a rollercoaster, because their joy depends on these things. These very things you look forward to are the things that become your joy stealer, when you don’t get what you want.
Remember, God wants your joy tank to be full, always. Philippians 4:4 tells us rejoice, always. When God says always, He means always. Joy is a choice. Joy is one of the fruits of the spirit. It is not an emotion. It is an attitude; it is a state of mind. It is intentional. Joy must be put on intentionally.
To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. – Isaiah 61:3
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
If you find it difficult to rejoice in the situation you are in right now, pray and give thanks. Ask the Lord for strength. When you praise, you raise. If you are always complaining, you will always be in the wilderness. Put on the garment of praise. Put on the oil of joy. Philippians 4:4-8 tells us not to be anxious about anything but in everything, pray and give thanks.
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. – Hebrew 12:2
Closing
As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. – 2 Corinthians 6:10
Remember to follow and abide. Let our tank of joy be full, always.
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