THE WRITINGS OF JOHN ARE DEEPEST IN LOVE, JOY, AND SOUL SEARCHING -Gospel-Life; Ist-Joy; Rev-future

1. First John is a general letter, a circular Sermon from John the Beloved-much for you-12 minutes reading time
2. Deep- read often, I Preached- Aug. 1960, Oct. 1970, Wed. Pm-1966, 68; SWC last Semester; & Sept. 1955
3. But there is a theme "That your joy may be full", to get the most out of life! Salvation

But if you pursue Joy-you lose it! But God gives it for belief & service rendered!

I.- THE PURPOSE OF Ist JOHN - JOY -I John 1:4

Every Book in the Bible has a purpose, determine its purpose & you can better understand it

A.- "AND THESE THINGS WRITE WE UNTO YOU, THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL." -- Key Verse of I John-1:4

1. The Gospel of John- written that ye might believe- & have life - John 20:31 (& of Bible)
2. Book of Revelation- written that you might know the future-Security-Rev. 1:1,19
3. The book of Ist John- 5:13 "that ye may know" and 1:4-joy, v.3-with us, & with God & Son

B.- JUST WHAT IS THIS GREAT, IMPORTANT THING, CALLED JOY? Any relationship to Joy ride, juice?

1. The 0.T. Hebrew -means to leap, or dance- Psalms 35:9- Soul finds it in Lord, & Salvation
2. The N.T. Greek (Chara) esp. used by John- means gladness, delight, deep happiness (blessed)
3. "That serene happiness which is the result of conscious union with God and good men, of conscious possession of eternal life, and which raises us above pain, sorrow & remorse."

C.- THE GOSPEL DEFINITELY INVOLVES THE GOOD NEWS, PROMISE OF A REAL JOY THAT IS WORTHWHILE

1. The Christmas angels came- Luke 2:10 -with Tidings of great Joy "Joy to the World"
2. Jesus told his disciples-John 10:10-"I am come-that ye might have life-more abundantly"
3. Jesus gave his followers a quality of life that led them to sing in prison, rejoice at death.

Indeed a Joy that transcends pain, sorrow, grief, death- I heard "My Cup runneth Over"

II. THERE IS REAL JOY IN JESUS CHRIST!

The popular song we enjoyed- "There is Joy in Serving Jesus" by Oswald J. Smith-sufferer

A.- JESUS CAME AND SUFFERED BECAUSE OF THE HOPE OF JOY, THAT WE MIGHT HAVE HIS JOY!

1. It was a joy set before him that led Him to endure the shame & cross- Heb 12:2
2. But when any person seeks Joy as a goal, pursuit of pleasure; Joy is byproduct, not goal
3. The greatest joy described in Bible that of wedding - Isa 61:10,11- Wedding of Lamb, Bride

B.- JESUS WANTS THE QUALITY OF OUR LIVES TO BE LIFTED TO A LEVEL CALLED JOY, OR JOYOUS

1. John 15:11-"That my joy might remain in you, & Your joy might be full"-so much like I John
2. John 16:24 How do we get Joy- Jesus said- Ask that ye may receive that your Joy be full!
3. John 16:22 - and God has a joy to give us that when He gives it, no one can take it away

C.- THIS JOY CAN ONLY COME AS THE RESULT OF A CONSCIOUS UNION WITH GOD: POSSESSION OF ETERNAL LIFE

1. Rom 15:13 -this is something that only God can give you- Joy and Peace-
2. Notice that this comes through your believing- Unless you Believe God, He will not give
3. Moses believed in this greater Joy- Heb 11:25 so he rejected the pleasures of sin-season

The transient pleasure fun, infatuation with World, flesh, devil-may rob your birthright

III. THERE IS NO REAL JOY BUT THROUGH PAIN!

We sing- JOY-Jesus, others, & you; no real joy but through suffering with/for another- Empathy

A.- THERE IS A SCEOND BLESSING, MENTIONED IN II COR. 1:15 - MANY MISS IT BY NOT GOING 2ND MILE

1. In II Cor Paul uses the noun-5, Verb-8, JOY even in tribulation, if it is done for you
2. We lose joy of 1st love; unless we live for what we can give-give- give or ourselves
3. Paul's secret of Joy was his concern & service for others-Phil 4:1,1 Thes 2:19, 20- YOU!

B.- THERE IS A SPECIAL JOY FOUND IN AND FROM FAITHFUL SERVICE TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. We need to bear our longsuffering with Joy- Col 1:11--Some suffer & yell; no joy there
2. If you are not concerned, if you do not feel another's pain-you will not feel joy
3. If you are faithful in a few areas- Jesus promised Matt 25:21,23- enter into Joy of Lord

C.- THERE IS A SPECIAL JOY FOUND IN TRIBULATION, AND PERSECUTION, WHEN IT IS FOR THE LORD!

1. James 1:2 even mentioned the joy found in being faithful through divers temptations -no war-no Victory
2. Persecution for doing right-Matt 5:11,12,- Blessing; Joy unspeakable- I Pet 1:8 Suffer for Christ
3. A lot of suffering in world- make yours for His Glory- I Pet 4:12- & share in Joy

Only a man with a great heart can feel Joy- Angels, Animals, & lesser men see mystery!

IF YOU WANT THE FULLNESS OF LIFE THAT GOD OFFERS FOR YOU, YOU WILL FIND IT IN SERVING JESUS!

1. If you want Joy-real joy- wonderful joy- Let Jesus come into your heart! -sing it & act on it!
2. If you want the 2nd blessing- go the 2nd mile of faithful service to the Lord!
3. If you want to know the joy of His Resurrection - join Him in Gethsemane, Calvary-!