CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND THE FULLNESS OF JOY

CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND THE FULLNESS OF JOY 

John 15:11: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

The Lord’s provision for all His children is that His joy should be their joy.

THOUGHTS ON JOY

1. As Christians we are to be joyful; joy should be the prevailing characteristic in our lives

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Always be joyful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16.

Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. Luke 19:6

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:39

When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight. Jeremiah 15:16

Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full John 16:24

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials James 1:2

So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. Acts 5:41

And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!’ Luke 15:6

But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24

2. What is the joy that we should experience each day, in all circumstances?

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11

1. It is Christ’s joy.

2. It is Joy to the full.

You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11

But now I am coming to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. John 17:13

and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy. 1 Peter 1:8

3. It is joy which ”remains”.

Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one is going to take your joy away from you. John 16:22

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11

Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” Luke 10:20

Now about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25

So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. Acts 5:41

We also celebrate in our tribulations. Romans 5:3

 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you. 1 Peter 4:12-14

3. How may we have this joy?

4. We have this joy when we have Christ Himself.

”there was great joy in that city” Acts 8:8

“went on his way rejoicing” Acts 8:39

2. We have this joy by complete submission to Christ.

At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way. Luke 10:21

3. We have this joy by the indwelling and infilling of the Holy Spirit.

”In that hour Jesus was filled by the Holy Spirit with rapturous joy” Luke 10:21

And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52