Sermons on Character | I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart

I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy

I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart

Scripture exhorts us to be a joyful people. Romans 12:12. 1 Thessalonians 5:16. Philippians 4:4. Romans 12:15.

In God’s presence is fullness of joy (Ps 16:11)–As we come before God in worship, we should do so joyfully. Psalm 66:1. Galatians 5:22.

This morning, we want to examine the Scriptures and see what they say about joy.

Obedience Brings Joy

John 15:11.

Jesus had just instructed the apostles to keep his commandments (Jn 15:10). Jesus’ joy came from obeying the Father. If we obey the Father, we can have the same joy Jesus had.

This joy comes from loving God. We are to love God with our entire being (Matt 22:37). If we love God in this way, we will want to please him, and pleasing him will bring us joy.

Do you have Jesus’ joy? Do you have joy because of your obedience?

Salvation Brings Joy

The Scriptures provide examples of those who rejoiced in their salvation. The seventy Jesus sent out rejoiced that the demons were subject to Jesus’ name; Jesus told them that he gave them power over the enemy. Luke 10:20. Acts 8:39. Acts 16:34.

We have every right to rejoice at our salvation.

Hell is a horrible place.

Jesus described hell as a place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (e.g., Matt 8:12). The rich man was so miserable in torment that he asked Abraham for just a drop of water (Lk 16:24).

Heaven, on the other hand, is a wonderful place.

Jesus described heaven as a place where death does not come (Lk 20:36). Heaven is also described as a place where our needs shall be satisfied (Rev 7:14-15).

This joy can sustain us when life becomes difficult. When we are discouraged and uneasy, we know we have a home in heaven. When we become ill, we know that we have a home in heaven. Are you rejoicing because your name is written in heaven?

The salvation of others also brings joy. Luke Lk 15:7, 10. When Paul and Barnabas told the churches in Phoenicia and Samaria about the conversion of the Gentiles, “they caused great joy to all the brethren” (Acts 15:3). If there is rejoicing in heaven, shouldn’t there also be rejoicing upon the earth?

Jesus Brings Joy

Jesus’ birth was a cause for joy. When the wise men saw the star, they rejoiced (Matt 2:10). When the angel appeared to the shepherds, he brought tidings of great joy for all people (Lk 2:10).

Jesus’ coming should be a cause for our joy. God assumed flesh and lived as we live. In so doing, Jesus was able to secure our salvation.

Preaching Brings Joy

The Bible speaks of those who had joy at the preaching of Jesus. When Philip preached the things concerning Jesus in Samaria, there was great joy in the city (Acts 8:5-8). The Thessalonians received God’s Word with joy (1 Thess 1:6).

This joy came because the people had hope through Jesus. Their lives had been torn apart because of sin. Yet through Jesus, people have hope.

The Resurrection Brings Joy

When the women found the tomb empty, “they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy” (Matt 28:8).

These women had every right to rejoice. Jesus had been raised just as he had promised. Death had been conquered–One day we will be raised because Jesus was raised.

Trust Brings Joy

Habakkuk 3:17-19. Do you trust in God like Habakkuk?

Persecution Brings Joy

The apostles and early Christians rejoiced when they were persecuted. Acts 5:41. Hebrews 10:34. 1 Peter 4:13.

These Christians rejoiced, because they realized they were in good number. The persecution they received from the world told them that they were true Christians. The prophets before us were persecuted (Mt 5:12).


This sermon was originally preached by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at the Owingsville church of Christ in Owingsville, Kentucky.

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