A Combative and Renewing Joy

John 17:13-14 NLT
[13] “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. [14] I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.

What does God pray for you and I? For joy.

Jesus prays for joy first, then sanctification, then unity, then protection from the evil one.

He is praying that we experience a deep joy. A boy the world does not understand. A joy the world hates.

John 14:1 NLT
[1] “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

• there is a lot for our hearts to be troubled about
• cynicism becomes the language everyone speaks
• this chokes out the joy in the world
• the western story is that life has no meaning. The universe is random chaos.
• it's easy to lose heart
• Jesus did not suffer and die for you to lose heart
• Jesus was known as a man of sorrow but not overcome with grief
• sorrow has the potential to push us deeper into joy
• but the evil one wants to drag us into the pit of despair

You are in a war, and it is a war for your heart.

Jesus points out the the antidote to a troubled heart is believing in God and believing in him.

what kind of mood is God in?

"God is the happiest being in the universe... Joy is God's basic character."

• John Ortberg

In Genesis 1, got created the universe out of joy. He points out everything as being good.

Job 38:4-5, 7 NLT
[4] “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. [5] Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line?

[7] as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

God describes creation as joy to Job.

Nehemiah 8:10 NLT
[10] And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

Nehemiah connects holiness to enjoyment.

• he also points out that joy is strength.
• it is strength to be going through hell but to have an unexplainable joy

Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
[17] For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

God takes great delight in you.

like a father protecting his small son from an electrical outlet

Luke 4:18-19 NLT
[18] “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, [19] and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. ”

what keeps us from experiencing joy?

John 16:7-8 NLT
[7] But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. [8] And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.

God is not condemning the world. He is staying reality. The world is far from God because of sin.

Satan wants us to escape from God into a sin fantasy.

• sin will not bring you joy
• it will bring shame, destruction, baggages, etc.

the world is wrong about the grind

• the grind is about getting ahead
• "if I get ahead far enough, I will experience joy"
• the grind is also the daily duties: dishes, diapers, taxes, etc.
• life is more than just hard chores

Jesus is not saying that these things are inherently bad all the time, but you will not find joy in the grind.

the world is wrong about gratification

• Living it up won't lift me up, it will bring me down.
• we know this about big things like alcohol, but how much are you trying to gratify yourself with Netflix?
• we need to fight this instant gratification mindset

the world is wrong about the good life

• Religion, rules, and self improvement won't lead to the good life.
• morality cannot give you true joy
• as parents of the church, we should cultivate a culture of joy, even above morality.
• joyless morality will make sin look like the more appealing option

abide with Jesus in reality

• nobody can do this for you
• you have to do this

John 14:17 NLT
[17] He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

return to the secret place to draw power

Abiding looks like returning to the secret place to draw power. To drink from a deeper well.

We don't draw on the resources of the world.
We draw on the deeper power of heaven.

Jesus offers something deeper than escape.
He offers renewal.

return to the father in desperate prayer for hope

Like birth, the pain is intense and real, but the goodness changes everything.

John 16:22-24 NLT
[22] So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. [23] At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. [24] You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

Jesus invites us to not just pray about our pains and promises.

He invites us to pray promises too.

John 16:33 NLT
[33] I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

return to the world of God for reminding

Remember what God has done and is doing.
Don't assume you will remember what God has done in your life.
Write it down. Remember. Reflect on God's personal goodness in your life.

Remind yourself of the gospel everyday.

Hebrews 12:2-3 NLT
[2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. [3] Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.