An Invitation to Joy — Part One
In this first sermon in a series on the book of 1 John, John declares that he is writing so our joy may be full. John heard someone else once say these words: Jesus. As John introduces his letter, he connects joy to Jesus in three ways. What are they, and how does this affect us?
A Synopsis of 1 John
The Book of 1 John is an invitation to experience complete joy. This joy is experienced through close and warm fellowship with the Father and the children of God. However, the fellowship wherein we experience joy can be hindered. Darkness hinders this fellowship in two ways: sin and confusion around the truth. The opposite is true; light is a fellowship enabler and joy maximizer. Light does this in two ways: through truth and love. This fellowship and joy we are invited to experience ultimately is rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ. This relationship comes by faith—faith's initial act of trust in Jesus Christ—making us children of God. This faith in Christ, and therefore relationship with Christ, is our victory over this world, darkness, confusion, and sin.
Text: 1 John 1:1-4
Joy Under Attack!
When John the Apostle wrote his epistles, joy was under attack. It was being attacked by false teachers teaching false doctrine (1 John 2:26, 2 John 7), by the world (1 John 5:4), by spirits, including the spirit of antichrist (1 John 4:1, 1 John 2:18), by the devil (1 John 4:4), and by idols, or idolatry (1 John 5:21). All the enemies that could be brought together to attack joy had been mustered and were on the assault. This was sometime between A.D. 85 and 95. The attack on joy has not stopped.
Why would joy be under attack? Why would so many enemies, representing all angles of attack, come together to defeat joy in your life and mine? If anything, this illustrates how powerful, vital, and valuable joy is in the life of a believer. Looking at the world, we can see the results of having no joy.
What Is Joy?
So, what is this joy? I will give the simplest definition that I know, which I am borrowing from Martyn Lloyd-Jones:
"Joy, in other words, is the response and the reaction of the soul to a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ." (Life in Christ, 30)
Here is an example. How many of us remember the lame beggar healed in Acts 3?
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:6–8, KJV)
The beggar has new-found joy; you can see it in his response and reaction to the powerful reality and knowledge of Jesus Christ in his life! He is not praising silver and gold, Peter, or anyone else. He is praising God!
Another example of this joy is found in 1 Peter 1.
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:7–9, KJV)
Even in trials, the knowledge and reality of the Lord Jesus Christ will produce inexpressible joy for the believer. I am reminded of Paul and Silas singing in prison at midnight while fast in the stocks. (Acts 16:24-25)
In our text this morning (1 John 1:1-4), John invites his readers to experience the fullness of this joy by connecting it to the reality and knowledge of Jesus Christ in three practical ways. First, we see John connect joy to...
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