The Joy of Thy Salvation

Well, brethren, where do you and I look for joy? Where do you look for joy? I appreciated Mr. Nelson's message very much. We're not on exactly the same track, but I think you'll see a lot of what he pointed us to will actually apply to where I'm going today as well.

He talked about love, and I'd like to talk about joy. And where do you and I look for joy? In what conditions must take place in our life for us to experience the attitude we call joy? Is joy dependent on everything going well? You know, in all the ducks being in a row. You know, things are good at the job, things are good at home, there's not any health problems, there's no, you know, challenges and various ways going on.

Everything is as it should be. Is that what our joy is predicated upon? Or can we indeed people be people who still have joy even in the midst of trial and struggle? Even in the midnight moments, as Mr. Neff recently spoke about, can we find joy in those places? Now these are important questions that we must ask ourselves, I would say, frequently and honestly as to what truly brings joy in our lives.

And so today I want to discuss the topic of joy, of what it is, of what it is not, and also to consider the true source of joy in the life of a Christian. And in doing so, it's my hope that we can be more aware of the joy that has been set before us. And indeed, what the source of that joy truly is. Titled today is, The Joy of Thy Salvation.

The Joy of Thy Salvation. It's a scriptural quote. You probably recognize it. It springs from Psalms 51 verse 12, David's Psalm of Repentance. We'll look at that later on in the message. But, The Joy of Thy Salvation. I want to begin with a powerful passage highlighting the joy that Jesus Christ had.

And frankly, at a difficult time in his life. He's coming up to the crucifixion. He knows what he's going to face. And frankly, as we have read through those passages coming up to the Passover, we know he struggled. He wrestled with this in some ways, simply knowing what he would face in the flesh. But he was submitted to his father's will. And yet, there was actually, as we'll see, joy in the midst of the challenge.

And I want to find this over in Hebrews chapter 12. So let's begin there today. Hebrews chapter 12. I want to consider what the source of indeed Jesus' joy was. Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 1. It says, Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, okay, we just would have gone through Hebrews 11, that previous chapter, the heroes of faith, okay, those are the cloud of witnesses that have gone before, let us lay aside every weight in the sin which so easily ensnares us.

Let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking unto Jesus. It says, The author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, you know, some important phrase to this, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and it sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him, him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. And so the admonition for us here, brethren, is to consider.

Consider Jesus Christ. Consider his example. Consider all that he went through as he came up to this moment. Consider what he went through as he fulfilled his father's will on this earth. Consider the agonizing pain, the suffering of the crucifixion. Consider the humiliation. And then consider that while he was going through these things, his focus was on the joy that was set before him. Okay, joy in the midst of the challenge.

And frankly, I would say it's the joy that helped to give him the strength to see him through. Brethren, this teaches us there is something vital about joy, and that is true joy in the life of a Christian is not dependent upon the circumstances on the ground around us.

You know, it's not necessarily dependent on whether you're up or you're down or things are going good or things are going maybe a little bit difficult today in the daily routine. True Christian joy is not dependent upon the conditions on the ground around us.

If joy were dependent on circumstances, you know, if it was dependent on comfort, if it was dependent on wealth, then I dare say we would all be miserable from time to time in our life. That we would be absent of joy from time to time in our life, because none of those things are a consistency in this human world.

Stability comes and goes, but you know Jesus Christ shows us another path to joy, and indeed the only path that leads to true and lasting joy that sees you through the storm is the joy of our God-given purpose. Right? That was the joy set before Jesus Christ. He was about to fulfill in that moment his God-given purpose of why he had come. It's the joy in God's plan for us, and ultimately it's the joy which salvation brings. You see, Jesus Christ's joy wasn't settled in the fact that, okay, once I just sort of get this over with, I won't be in the flesh any longer.

You know, that wasn't the joy that was set before him by which allowed him to endure those things. I could just, you know, discard this flesh and, you know, be glorified once again back to the right hand of the Father. I'm sure he looked forward to those things, okay? That was a goal, no doubt. But the fact is, the joy that was set before him was embedded in what he was about to accomplish.

The joy that a sacrifice would bring the opportunity for salvation to all of mankind. That it would reconcile mankind to God, those who would enter into that covenant relationship. And ultimately, this would build the family of God. This was the source of the joy set before him. That gave him what he needed to endure the cross, despise the shame, and ultimately then take his place at the right hand of God. What an incredible joy.

What an incredible joy. You know in this world, brother, many people confuse joy with happiness. You know, I like to be happy, and I do things that I hope will bring happiness. I mean, that's kind of a set of choices in some ways that we set up in order to bring what we would call happiness.

But understand, joy and happiness are not the same thing. Happiness is often fleeting and uncircumstantial. It's dependent on what's happening in your life at the moment. Happiness is kind of like a party. Stopped by the store on my way to church. They said, do you have a party in a bag? So they gave me a balloon or two here, but you know, to me, this balloon sort of represents happiness. Hope no one's scared of balloons. I kind of am. But happiness, right? It doesn't that just look like a party? Happiness. What makes you happy?

Well, a raise at work makes you happy, doesn't it? You get the letter from the employer, and they said, we're adding, you know, cost of living adjustment 3% to your paycheck. Anything great. Your balloon is inflated, and you're happy. A couple weeks later, you go to the grocery store, you watch the news, and realize, you know, 3% inflation this year starts to deflate your happiness just a little bit. But it's okay. You're still happy. A little extra paycheck's good, but you know, next year rolls around, and you go to the store again.

Another 3%. It's just like, you know. And the day comes, you walk into the grocery store, and the price of hamburger is $6.99 a pound. Gonna burst the balloon. Happiness. It's time for another raise. Now that would make me happy again. What about a vacation? Here's my vacation balloon.

Lightheaded with happiness. Vacation, right? Vacations make us happy. My wife would be so happy if I took her on a horse trekking tour vacation in Iceland. You know, that's the happy place.

You know, so happiness again. Pack up the family. Book the flights. You're on the vacation. You're seeing the sights. And when you get there, there's even more sights. You didn't know we're there that you wanted to see. But hey, we got to be happy, and we pay for this destination, and that's the destination, and it's a great time.

And we're happy. And we come back home, and the job is still there. Refrigerator unplugged while you were gone. And the credit card bill for the train vacation arrives. A new car. A new car makes you happy. By the way, if you're on the phone hookup, I'm blowing up balloons.

A new car. It's got to be extra big happiness. Makes you happy, right? I mean, the new car smell makes people happy. I mean, the toxic mix of carpet, the plastic of laminate and glue, you know, on a hot day is just joy, right?

And so you walk in, you put down the payment, right? You bring the car home. It's beautiful. Three weeks later, you're at the grocery store, and you park out, you know, kind of at the far end, so nobody opens their door and dents your car. But as you're sitting there, there's the rogue shopping cart that comes from all the way across, driven by the wind, right into the side of your beautiful new car, dent in the door, dent in the paint. But, you know, it's still, you're still happy.

You're still happy. Okay? Then next week, you're coming home from Costco, and the gallon of milk tips over in the trunk, and it kind of marinates in a hundred degree day. You know, what's next? Well, it's the family vacation, and you've got the new car, and the kids are loaded up, and you're 150 miles down the road. Of course, the dog is part of the family, too, and it's your happy place until the dog throws up in the back seat. Now it's just a car. Happiness is circumstantial. Happiness is fleeting.

Happiness is fragile. True joy is different than that. True joy is kind of like this rock. You know, it's got some lasting power. I borrowed this from Tabitha. She's a rock collector. This is Rose Quartz, did you say? Okay, so we'll put the rock up here. This will represent our joy today, and I think well because our joy is based on the rock, right?

It's based on our relationship with God, relationship with His Son. Joy of Thy salvation is the true source of our joy. Joy is not circumstantial in the life of a Christian. Rather, it is spiritual. It's a deep and abiding gladness that springs forth from our relationship with God, from the red condition that His plan and purpose is being carried out in our life, and that He's our Father, and we're His children, and that we live in relationship with Him. That's where true joy comes from. The Bible Knowledge Commentary defines joy this way.

It says, joy is a deep and abiding, inner rejoicing, and it does not depend on circumstances because it rests in God's sovereign control of all things. Okay, so it's knowing that God is in control of your life. He's in control of the universe, that all things in the end are under His control, and no matter what is challenging along the way, you're in God's hands, and there is no better place to be than that. And frankly, even in the midst of trial, this should, brethren, must bring us joy.

So if joy has fled from your life, and if joy is maybe... sometimes you feel like you have it, and sometimes it seems elusive, just consider Christ's example of where true joy comes from. He did not allow his joy to be determined by the conditions on the ground around him, and by what he was going through. And, brethren, neither must we. Joy in the life of a Christian is based upon a set of conditions that are much larger than people or circumstances or events that are happening right now in our life, is dependent upon the joy which comes from God.

Let's look at another scripture that highlights this relationship and the blessing and the joy that should be streaming from it in our life. John chapter 10. John chapter 10 and verse 9, the words of Jesus Christ. John chapter 10 and verse 9, Jesus says, I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

He says, but the thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. The more abundant life Jesus is speaking about isn't physical wealth, okay? It's not physical advancement in certain ways. Those things are certainly things that can be blessings from God when we've put our effort in as well by His blessing. But, again, this isn't the more abundant life Jesus is referring to. It's something far greater than that. It's the gift of salvation. He says, this is why I have come.

Verse 9 says, again, if anyone enters by me, he will be saved. And so it's salvation through Jesus Christ that He's talking about.

And real joy begins with that realization that I have been saved. It begins with the recognition I was in prison, actually, under the death sentence because of my sins, marked for death, and Jesus Christ opened the door and I walked free. And actually, He stepped in and took my place, and I was saved through the price that He was willing to pay. And so real joy begins with that recognition, and then it becomes, how then do I live the rest of my life, showing forth the value of this sacrifice to me? What does that give to me? Hopefully joy, brethren, is the result. Hopefully we use this freedom well. I would submit to you that our lives must be marked by a joyful recognition of what we've received in Jesus Christ, of the reconciled relationship we now have with the Father through Him. And if that is our joy, and if that's what sustains us in life, then you know what? Events will come and go. Difficult circumstances or difficult people will come and go, and a new car will come and go, and maybe our happiness will be there, and maybe circumstances might dictate happiness a little bit, but the inner joy will always remain if indeed we understand the blessing and the gift that has been extended to you and me. And that was the joy set before Jesus Christ that gave Him what He most needed, I would say, to walk through that process. You know, this was the plan. This was the purpose. This was the will of His Father. Indeed, the Church of God is the most blessed of all those who walk the earth today. And sometimes I wonder if we forget that, because we live in a here, a very wealthy country, with many blessings, many blessings that we have personally, and yet there's always someone else with a bigger house or a nicer car or a deeper swimming pool or some greater blessing. And yet, if you're seeking happiness, that's going to be the magnet, but the joy in God to the recognition that despite everything in this world around us that's eye-catching, we are blessed, you and I, right here in this room, beyond the rest of the world, by the calling, by the favor and love of God and by this merciful relationship. So if the reality of this doesn't stir up joy in your life, and then I would say we've been searching for joy in all the wrong places. God's Word shows us truly where joy comes. James chapter 1 will kind of step into some things that maybe now could offer, in our minds, maybe a challenge to joy, but it's not what God intends.

James chapter 1, you know, despite the good things in life, trials will come, difficulties will come, sorrows will surround us. That is the reality of the physical existence, but those hardships don't have to steal our joy. Our joy is not rooted in circumstances, but in God it will remain. James chapter 1 and verse 2, James says, My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. These are hard words sometimes. Are they hard words to you? I can tell you they're hard words to me at times. Right? Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.

That's tough. That's tough in the moment, in the trial. But understand, brethren, this isn't saying rejoice in the trial as in hooray for the trial. That's not where the joy is. The joy is actually in what is produced by walking through this trial faithfully and successfully, tied to God, walking through it and what it produces in us, making us more like Him.

When trials are endured faithfully, they produce godly character. That's what James says, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. Godly character, the godly nature in us, built in us through this refining process. Trials drive us to our knees in prayer, in obedience, drawing us closer in relationship to God because we're crying out to Him.

We're seeking Him. We're saying, God, I'm depending on this relationship. And if this relationship is functioning as it should, no matter what is happening here in our life that can very well be major, joy can still be a part of the process, knowing that God is there with us and we are in His hands. And indeed, there's no better place to be than that. Joy is not the absence of suffering.

It is the presence of God even in the midst of the trial. That's important. Psalm chapter 30 verse 5 is a very encouraging scripture which says, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Weeping may endure in the night. It's for a time. It's for a season of struggle, but joy comes in the morning and is speaking to the fact that trials may be difficult and even painful in their season. But if we're tied to God in this relationship and He is upholding us and we're yielding and seeking Him in the time of darkness, the dawn will come and light will shine and joy and renewal in Him will be the outcome.

Again, it's not hooray for the trial, but it is hooray in what God produces in us through the faithful response. Hebrews chapter 12 speaks to another category of trial leading to joy.

Hebrews chapter 12, this is God's discipline. Again, where's the joy? This is God's discipline now in trial. Hebrews chapter 12 verse 5 says, you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as sons, saying, my son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you're rebuked by Him. For whom the Lord loves, He chastens and scourges every son whom He receives.

Okay, so when God disciplines us, understand it's as a father to a child, it's not done in anger and it's not done in rejection, but it's done in love. And He disciplines those He calls His children. That's a very special relationship. Those of you who are parents, who have children, recognize there's times where we, in love, extend discipline to our children, and it's to help them grow up in a way that will bring value to their life, safety to their life, God's blessing, because they are doing things in an appropriate way. It is given in love, and as God's children, we are recipients of the same thing on occasion.

Verse 11, it says, Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present. Okay, it's not hooray for the spanking, but painful. Nevertheless, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. So understand there's a purpose being worked out in our lives, brethren, in times where even God may have to take us aside and extend a little bit of discipline to turn us back into the right direction, and on the path again, the result of what He is bringing is actually a very part of His nature in us, His character in us, His righteousness.

This is what He is developing through that, and if we respond then correctly, joy will be the result. Joy because we know God loves us as His children. And joy now because we've moved into a position that is more like Him. A fruit of God's Spirit is joy, is it not? You have love, which is foundational, everything must spring from that. And then there's joy. It's what God is. It's what His Spirit in us should bring forth, and it is what we must become if we are being made over into the image of God.

So God Himself is a joyful being, and anything that draws us closer to Him will ultimately build up and strengthen our joy as well. This is about a reconciled relationship with God. It is about salvation, the joy of our salvation that takes us through life in a way that is different than so much of the world around us. You know, I know people who are in the church, who have gone through an incredible trial, and people have looked at them and said, wow, it's incredible. How can they be joyful in the midst of the struggle? And people in the world kind of wonder, what is the source of that joy? I was on the phone with Barb Wills this morning, and she was telling me how she's been able to get up on her feet and walk a little bit and venture outside in the cool of the evening with her walker. And in the announcement, it said she's had some freedom from the arm slings. She's had a little freedom, but she still has to wear them quite a bit. So you have a sling in both arms, you have the neck in the neck brace, you have fractured vertebrae and ribs and elbows. Where's the joy in that? But I was on the phone with her, and there was more laughter in the conversation with Barb. If you call her and talk to her, there is joy in her heart despite the challenge. Because it's not dependent on what's going on in her life on the ground around her. It's dependent on her relationship with God. And I know as I sit in people's homes and visit with a number of you through trial and struggle, there's always this foundational anchor that you come back to that, you know, it's going to be okay. And God will see us through. And despite whatever is going on, I haven't lost the joy. Because that truly is where my strength is. It's in the God of my salvation. And brethren, that is what it must be for all of us if we're going to walk through the end of the age and hold our joy. Psalm chapter 32. Psalm chapter 32. We must be aware that actually is well on the flip side. There are things which can ultimately rob us of our joy if we allow it. And David discusses this. Psalm 32.

We're talking ultimately about sin. Sin is the robber of joy. Psalm chapter 32 and verse 1. David says, bless the sea whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Bless is the man whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and whose spirit there is no deceit. You know, he's expressing the wonder and the delight in being in a right relationship with God. After maybe having struggled with something, overcome it, receive God's mercy and blessing, you know what? There is joy there. There's joy in being in a right relationship with God. And I just love David so much for what he was willing to write down with an open heart for us to see and understand today. And he did so by God's blessing and spirit as well, because God knew what we would need to read and be encouraged by. But I want you to notice what follows is David also reflects on a time when he tried to handle things his own way, in a time when he actually kept silent about sin for a period of time.

Verse 3, David says, when I kept silent, my bones grew old. He says, through my groaning all the day long. For in day and night your hand was heavy upon me, and vitality was turned into the drought of summer. You know, the joy David once knew was gone in this moment. And why? Well, because his relationship with God here was damaged by unconfessed sin. Until he resolved that, until he turned from this way and confessed the God and drew near to him and said, God of my salvation, help me, forgive me, until that point came, his joy he's expressing is left. He says, it's like it's my bones ache, my body hurts, apart from this relationship. Verse 5, though, is the solution.

David says, I acknowledge my sin to you and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. A very beautiful psalm.

But you know, when we refuse to deal with our sin, and when we just sort of bottle up it inside and try to hide it or stuff it down or pretend it didn't happen or it doesn't exist, we're running from God. And it creates a barrier in our relationship and our fellowship with God.

You know, maybe we're not as open with God as we would be, because now we have this part of our life we've kind of tucked away here. I don't want to open that door to him right now. If there's joy in this relationship, we run to our Father, not from Him, for the help that He can provide. And we come to Him in sincere repentance, and He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And in that restoration, David says, our joy returns.

Our joy returns. The joy of our salvation. The joy of this reconciled, beautiful, peaceful relationship. Psalm 51, as I mentioned, is a psalm of repentance that David wrote following his sin with Bathsheba and against Uriah. Through it all, we not only see the damage that sin caused to David's relationship with God, but also the deep impact that it had on his own spirit. Literally, it robbed him of his joy until he became right again. Psalm 51 verse 1, David says, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness, according to the multitude of your tender mercies. Blot out my transgressions. He says, Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

David tried to run from his sin. He tried to hide from it, first of all, and for a time anyway, until Nathan the prophet came to him and told him essentially a parable or story about a man who did a very bad thing. The story of the man angered David, and Nathan said to David, You are that man.

And it's like, in the face with a bucket of cold water, I suppose, driven to his knees before God.

And this is his prayer and his plea to be restored again. Verse 4, Against you and you only have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight, all sin is ultimately against God. He is the lawgiver, that you may be found just when you speak and blameless when you judge. He says, Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part you will make me to know wisdom. So he says, Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness. He says, because I don't hear it right now. Reading into it just a little bit, but this is what I need, God, he says. Make me hear it. Joy and gladness, that the bones you have broken may rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

Create me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence. Do not take your Holy Spirit from me. David was a very, very passionate man, and when he sinned, he sinned big. But, you know, he was also a man after God's own heart, and he never wanted to be in a position where he was cut off from God, where God would remove his spirit, where he would remove the joy. One of the greatest lessons we can learn from David was when he actually came to himself and was willing to acknowledge his sin, he ran to God in fervent desire to be right again, to have that healing of relationship, and to have that joy returned again. Verse 12, David says, restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me by your generous spirit. Okay, so this brings us back to the heart of the message today, which is true joy comes from God's salvation at work in our lives. That's the source of true joy. God's work, his work of salvation at work in our lives. David here realizes that he's put it all at risk by sinning against God, and he wants that joy back, and he pleads with God. Restore to me. I've lost it.

Please restore this joy. And then he says, I can go from there and do good. Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me by your generous spirit. Verse 13, then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall be converted to you. You know, David's adding something rather interesting for us to consider here. He doesn't want just joy for himself. He wants to be able to share it with others. Other places in the Psalm, David basically says, God, how can I praise you from the grave?

You know, if you deliver my life, I can go forth and praise you. Well, here's saying, Father, if you forgive me and restore the joy, I can share that with others. David was the king of the nation.

And I'm sure, reading into this a little bit, probably everybody eventually knew what he did.

You know, this was kind of an open sin, ultimately. But you know, David was in a position as well to show the nation the forgiveness and the mercy of God, the restoration and the joy that could come once again through the reconciled relationship with him. And shouldn't this be our perspective as well, brethren? Shouldn't it be our perspective as well? Because when you've encountered truly the joy of God's salvation, how can you hide it? You know, how can you put that lamp under a basket and off in a corner somewhere? Indeed, we shouldn't. We can't. This is to be the expression of who and what we are. The joy of God in us should flow out not only through our works and actions, but also our words, the message of good news is the gospel of joy. Because it's the gospel of Jesus Christ in the soon-coming kingdom of God, which is the good news of salvation, the joy of the salvation of all mankind.

So David says, restore, father this joy, and I'll shine it to the ends of the earth.

It is a blessing he has given us the opportunity to consider as well.

Let's shift gears a little bit and look at the Apostle Paul. Because the Apostle Paul is another individual to me who was incredibly remarkable due to the fact that his circumstances were less than stellar, right? At least after he was converted, after he was now an apostle for Jesus Christ, I mean, where would his joy come from? Stoned, beaten, 40 stripes, minus one, three times, shipwrecked, night and day in the deep. Oh, and beside the other things that come upon me, my constant concern for all the churches, you know? Where would joy have come in Paul's life, if not from a reconciled relationship with God? Philippians chapter 4, it's an incredible book, really. Philippians is often called the epistle of joy because of how many times joy is mentioned throughout this book. But in Philippians chapter 4 and verse 4, so notice what the apostle Paul says, very short but concise, he says, Rejoice in the Lord always. And again, I will say, Rejoice. Okay, to rejoice means to express joy outwardly. It's like, I can't contain it. This is something that comes out of me through my words, my actions. Paul says, I'm telling you as a church, rejoice in the Lord. That's a source.

And again, in case you didn't get it the first time, I say, Rejoice. Rejoice.

To rejoice, again, is to express this joy outwardly through the Lord as the source, and it flows from knowing God, from walking in His ways, and from receiving the salvation He offers us through Jesus Christ. And again, the book of Philippians has a lot to say about rejoicing.

And what makes this book so incredible to me is where Paul was when he wrote it.

Because Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, or prison epistles, right? Paul was under arrest, confined, maybe chained to a Roman guard. Either way, his freedom was taken away from him for the gospel's sake, and he's writing a book of joy from those circumstances. Indeed, his life stands as a powerful example of what it means to live with true joy, regardless of the conditions on the ground. And notice how often joy appears throughout this book. Philippians 1, verse 18. Philippians chapter 1 and verse 18, Paul says, What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached, and in this I rejoice. He says yes, and I will rejoice. Paul's rejoicing, and he's expressing his joy outwardly because the message of salvation is being preached. Even if others had questionable motives, because if you go back earlier in this book, Paul is saying, you know, there's people out there who are preaching Christ with good motives. And frankly, there's people out there preaching Christ in order to add afflict to my chains. Right? I'm imprisoned, and they're taking this message out there, and maybe even delivering it in a way that would add persecution to Paul. But Paul says, you know what? The thing that is important is the message is going out. Christ is being taught, which means salvation is being taught. And Paul says, that's the source of the joy I have from this place. Philippians chapter 2 verse 1 says, therefore, if there's any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, he says, Philippian church, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love being of one accord and of one mind.

Again, he's stating that his joy is made complete, in this case, when all the brethren are united.

When they're of one Spirit in one mind, in this common relationship with God and each other.

And he says, my joy is complete, because it was his work. God threw him, but this was the fruit of his labor in the gospel, this church. And he says, so to see you or to hear of you as one, in unity, in love, fulfills my joy. Because ultimately, this is the outcome of the joy of God, in action. Philippians 2 verse 17. Philippians 2 verse 17, Paul says, yes, and if I'm being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice, doesn't sound necessarily like the most comfortable place to be, but understand some of the Old Testament offerings. And, you know, you had animals that were slaughtered, you had things that were burned, you know, the drink offering, because sometimes the priests got certain portions, the drink offering was poured out. Okay, poured out on the altar, poured out on the sacrifice. And Paul says, this has literally been my life poured out in sacrifice for you. Indeed, if that is what it is as a drink offering on the sacrifice in service of your faith, he says, I am glad and rejoice with you all. It says, for the same reason, you also be glad and rejoice with me. Again, it's an acknowledgement here of Paul's sacrifice that he made in order to point them to a relationship with God. And he says, even if my life is being poured out for the purpose of your faith, I rejoice in that. He says, and you can take joy in that as well.

My suffering, my chains, my arrest for the sake of the gospel, you know, those things would rob happiness, right, in the most common person. But Paul says, actually, I have joy. And God said, it will be used as a way to bring the gospel to people that would not have had it in the same way otherwise. Philippians chapter 3 and verse 1, finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.

Okay, and that's where I'll stop on that one. But again, the reminder to rejoice in the Lord, not in the world, not in circumstances, but in this relationship with God and Jesus Christ, which is lasting and true. Philippians 4 verse 9 and 10. Again, this is the epistle of joy.

Philippians chapter 4 verse 9 and 10, the things which you have learned and received and heard and saw in me. He says, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. He says, but I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last your care for me is flourished again, though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. You know, even while imprisoned and enduring hardship, Paul's joy wasn't tied to comfort or ease. It was rooted in faith in God, as well as the spreading of the faith to others and to see them respond. You know, so much of Paul's wording is that my joy is to see your joy. You know, the gift back to me is to see what God is doing in your life, and that the joy of his salvation is alive in you, and that you joy in the God of our salvation, just as I do. And Paul said, even from this place, and 2 Timothy, the last book before his death, even from that dark prison hole, joy of what God had done and allowed to be done through him was something that sustained Paul right to the very end, right to the very end. But you know, we might wonder how in the world could this be? Someone in this position, in this place, under change for the gospel, how could he keep that joy? And I think we can sum this answer up, and there's multiple words you could use, but I'll sum it up in one that is in his own words, and that is contentment.

Contentment. Paul was content because of his relationship with God, and he was joyful that no matter what else happened, it was okay. And he could walk through it if he had to, because he was content in his relationship with God. If we just carry on from where we left off, Philippians 4, verse 11, he says, not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. For I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. He says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. You know, as he so eloquently demonstrated here, the strength, the contentment, the sustaining joy comes from a relationship with Christ by the work of that Holy Spirit of God in us. They dwell in us. They work with us. They are present with us.

And just as Mr. Nelson said that love must be the result, because that is God in us. So must joy.

And indeed, this will be the outcome of our life.

Brethren, our joy is not dependent upon the conditions on the ground around us.

If we're seeking it there, then we're looking for joy in all the wrong places. True joy is dependent upon our calling from God, on the fact that through the sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ, we've been freed from the death penalty, and we walk free in a newness of life. It's dependent upon the relationship and the fellowship through that reconciliation, and then through that relationship, the opportunity to fulfill the purpose for which we were created to be sons and daughters of God in the kingdom of God. I hope that brings you joy, and I hope it brings you lasting joy, no matter what happens in this life, whatever challenges you may face or be facing at this time. Brethren, the world is heading towards a dark place. And you know, the handwriting is on the wall. You don't have to look very hard to see it. We may have some time, and depending on what God would decide to extend or shorten, the time will come when it will come, but this world is heading for a dark place. And you and I must never lose our joy in the midst of the darkness. We must be the light. We must be the truth and the hope. But again, the only way not to have our joy extinguished is to ground ourselves in this relationship with God, and to never lose heart.

Weeping may endure for a night, and there's going to be some hard things that we will see, and that this world will walk through, and that probably some of us will even walk through for a time with this world. There'll be some hard things. Weeping comes in the night, but joy comes in the morning. God will always see us through.

My sermon challenge for today is Habakkuk chapter 3 verse 17, called a sermon challenge. We don't turn there often, and sometimes these minor prophets can get swallowed up in these three, four chapter books. Habakkuk, right before Zephaniah, chapter 3 and verse 17, if we're considering the concept of God's people in a dark place, they've been there before at the invasion of Babylon, at the destruction of Jerusalem. Habakkuk here lived and preached and wrote at the death throes of Judah, as they were in a very dark place. And in Habakkuk chapter 3 verse 17, he says, Though the fig tree may not blossom or fruit beyond the vines, though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food, though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls, no matter what is happening, no matter the distress, Jerusalem was surrounded and people were starving in a very dark place because of their sins. Yet, Habakkuk says in verse 18, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, and I will joy in the God of my salvation. That's where his foundation was, and frankly, that was the only source of hope, the God who would see them through and would restore them again.

Brethren, I think it's an important verse for us to keep in mind, indeed, as we live this life, moving towards the end of the age, no matter what comes, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. That is the only way to walk through what is coming.

I want to conclude in Romans chapter 14.

Romans chapter 14, because God is set before us a very bright outcome. Again, I said, joy in the midst of the trial is knowing that you're in God's hands, and there's no better place to be than that. He will see you through, and he will work it all out for the good in the end.

And in the end, what we're shooting for is the kingdom of God. Romans chapter 14 and verse 16, the Apostle Paul says, therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil. He says, for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, you know, it's not these temporary things, or how good the cut of beef is, or how high quality the wine is, what label of rating it might have on it, the kingdom of God, and what we're shooting for. This isn't eating and drinking. This isn't where our joy is tied up in this place. But it is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Brethren, may you have a joy-filled Sabbath. May our days be full of joy.

May we consider how we can bring joy to this world.

Joy is the outcome of what God is doing in his relationship to be a part of his family, and there should be no greater rejoicing than that.