Yesterday we talked about the joy of Jesus being the joy that we can possess.  I want to focus on those two points—Jesus’ joy in us and our joy being complete.  First, let’s look at Jesus’ joy in us.  Let me give you a fact—Jesus is the happiest being in the universe.  Is that your picture of Jesus?  If it isn’t you don’t know the God of the Universe.  Look around you at the creation—doesn’t the sheer beauty of all that we see point to a Creator who took joy in His work?  Think about those who followed Him.  Many of them faced the scorn of the religious leaders—would they follow someone who wasn’t full of joy?  The children came to Him—one thing I have noticed about children—they are attracted to joyful people.  The very fact that you and I were created with a laugh points to our Joyful Maker and yet Satan has robbed us of our joy.

I gave you a fact, but let me give you a problem—We have so legalized our walk with God that we no longer find joy in it.  We have ruled and regulated everything to the point that we feel guilty when we don’t keep the rules and proud when we do and everything has become dependent upon “I, me, and my.”  Why is it that you can walk by most bars in the world and hear laughter and see just the opposite in the church?  Could it be that we are operating out of our own power and not abiding in Jesus?  That is the reason that we don’t experience true joy.

Let me ask you a few questions that will help you measure your Jesus Joy factor:

• Which sounds more appealing—and hour of prayer or 20 minutes on the phone with an old friend?,
• Your team winning the game or a lost person getting saved?, A string of National Championships or a Growing Church?,
• A four hour church service or a game going into overtime?,
• Sitting down in the Bible or reading the latest novel?  Am I meddling?

Now, let me point something out—there is nothing wrong with loving sports—Paul did.  There is nothing wrong with reading the latest novel, going to games, or hanging out with friends, but there is something inherently wrong with a view that sees that as enjoyable while viewing prayer, reading the Bible, and worship as boring.  You see—seeking joy in anything outside of Jesus comes up short.  You may enjoy the game, but what happens when your team loses in the last second?  You lose all of the joy you had for 59 minutes.  You may love the novel, but what if the ending is just terrible?  You’ll wonder why you wasted so much time reading it.  We have to see and believe this one fact—Jesus is the only source of everlasting joy and He wants that joy to be in you.

He promised that if we would abide in Him—His joy would be in us and that it would be complete.  We saw Jesus’ joy in us, but now we see our joy complete in Jesus.  Complete joy isn’t dependent upon circumstances.  It is the joy of Paul and Silas singing while they were beaten and locked in a dungeon.  It is the joy of Peter and John rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer for the Gospel.  It is the joy of Paulus—he had been tortured for hours by a Soviet officer.  He finally told him that he would quit torturing him, but he was sending him and his family to Siberia.  Paulus smiled and said, “The whole earth belongs to my Father, Captain.  Wherever you send me I will be on my Father’s earth.”  The officer said, “We will take away all that you own.”  “You will need a tall ladder, Captain, for my treasures are stored up in heaven.”  “We will put a bullet between your eyes,” shouted the Captain now angry.  “If you take away my life in this world, my real joy and beauty will begin.  I am not afraid of being killed.”  The officer grabbed his shirt and screamed in his face, “WE will not kill you!  We will keep you locked alone in a cell and allow no one to come see you!”  “You cannot do that, Captain,” said Paulus still smiling, “I have a Friend who can pass through locked doors and iron bars.  No one can separate me from the love of Christ.”  That is true joy—Jesus Joy is real regardless of the circumstances.  And it is yours if you will abide.

How do you get it?  How much does it cost?  What do you have to do?  That is just it—you can’t do anything to earn it—the price is already paid—you simply have to abide, live, dwell in Him.  His joy is given to you—it is the fruit of abiding in Him.  Isn’t it interesting that Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit as being “love, joy, and peace,” and Jesus talks about abiding and bearing fruit and talks about the love of God and the joy of the Lord?  Love and joy—fruit of the Spirit’s presence.  Jesus Joy, do you have it?  You can—it is yours in Christ.