Topic: The Joy of the Lord
Scripture: John 15

John 15:11 (ESV)
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

1. The Root of Joy – Semantically

a) What it isn’t -> happiness

b) What it is -> joy

c) The expression of it -> rejoicing

Psalm 30:4–5 (ESV)
4 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. 5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalm 103:2 (ESV)
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

Romans 5:3–4 (ESV)
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

James 1:2–3 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

2. The Root of Joy – Spiritually

John 15:1 (ESV)
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.

Psalm 139:7–12 (ESV)
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

Psalm 16:7–11 (ESV)
7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

3. The Route to Joy – Systematically

Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
John 15:11 (ESV)
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

a) Walking with the Lord means you must be a child of God!

• Everyone needs salvation -> Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
• Sin has a cost -> Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Jesus paid the price -> 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteousness, that he might bring us to God.”
• Salvation is a gift received by faith -> Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are you saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
• Salvation involves repentance -> Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
• New life begins -> 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

b) Walking with the Lord means you must abide with Him.

John 14:21 (ESV)
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

1 Peter 3:18 -> For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteousness, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.