Young Adults' Group

That Your Joy May Be Full

by Pastor Mark
August 03, 2017

Joy in life

Our life is meant to be filled with joy. But the difficulties and problems of life tend to rob us of our joy. Fear and anxiety may overwhelm us and our joy is lost. As disciples of the Lord, there should be joy in our life. It is crucial that we learn to find continued joy in the Lord. The Lord taught His disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)

The joy of the Lord Jesus

The Lord Jesus manifested joy throughout His life and ministry on this earth. Even though He faced many challenges, He consistently reflected joy as He ministered to His disciples.

The following are some glimpses of the joy that the Lord experienced.

1. He rejoiced in the Spirit and gave thanks to the Father who revealed spiritual truths to babes (disciples) rather than to the wise
“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said,” (Luke 10:21)

2. As the good shepherd, He would rejoice with every lost sheep that was found. (Luke 15:6)

3. The Lord also had joy in being obedient to the Father…to endure the cross
“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,” (Hebrews 12:2)

These were some instances in which the Lord Jesus was described as having joy. The Lord experienced joy consistently.

The promise of joy

1. Joy that is based on the word of Christ

“These things I have spoken to you,” (John 15:11)

The Lord’s promise of joy is based on His words. All the teachings of the Lord Jesus should be understood and treasured. As we discover the amazing depth of the Lord’s teachings, there should come spiritual joy. Let us be challenged to find joy in the Lord’s Word.

2. The Lord’s joy will be in us

“that My joy may remain in you,” (John 15:11)

There are two “that” stated here. The Greek word for “that” is “hina” which is a conjunction. The first “hina” indicates purpose. The purpose of the Lord in giving to us His Word is that His joy would be in us. The joy of the Lord Jesus is meant to be deeply embedded inside us.  It is not a joy that is on the surface only. Let us appreciate the Lord’s special kind of joy that is meant to be deeply inside us.

3. Fullness of joy

“and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)

The second “hina” indicates result. When the Lord’s joy is deeply inside us, the wonderful result is that we would have fullness of joy. The word of the Lord will create in us fullness of joy. This is the kind of joy that the Lord promised to give. There will come fullness of joy that will fill us on the inside through the riches of His Word. Let us be challenged to discover the fullness of the joy of the Lord in our heart even as we go through the difficulties of life.

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