Pentecost 22, 2019
John 15:1-11
“Jesus is our Joy”
Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
This is the first week of our stewardship emphasis “Discover the Joy in Sharing God’s Blessings.” The text for the sermon is from the Gospel of John 15:1-11 (Let us read this together). I would like to highlight this sentence from our text: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)
What makes you joyful or brings you great joy? As you know I’m a big Cubs fan. I had great joy; exceedingly great joy when they won the World Series. And I, like many others, relished this victory all winter and spring with hopes of the Cubs winning again. But that joy was fleeting. This past season they didn’t even make the playoffs. Joy was replaced with disappointment and disgust.
What brings you joy? When you see the smile and giggles of a baby…that usually brings joy. When you win free tickets or an upgrade or maybe a free meal…that usually puts us in a good mood. When you suddenly get all the green lights downtown when you’re in a hurry? But these joyful things also fade away. That same child who’s smile brightened your mood is not longer in view; or even is in pain or crying… and our joy lessons or turns to sadness or empathy. Those free tickets or upgrades get used and you no longer have them, the food is eaten and you’re hungry again. Those green lights are all red the next time you’re in a hurry. And your joy then? Where did it go?
There are many things that bring us temporary joy…but where can we find a joy that is full? Where is this joy that doesn’t end? Simply put it is found in Christ. It is received in this place. [Even this morning that joy that is full and complete was given to Rowan through the waters of Holy Baptism just like it was given to you at your baptism.] It is received through Jesus very body and blood given and shed for you…for the forgiveness of your sins…to give you strength for each day…that you might be filled.
Jesus tells us “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:1-2) Jesus is the true vine and we are the branches. God the Father tends the branches connected to His Son. He prunes us so that we produce more fruit. Before taking away or cutting off the under-producing branches; those who are not producing…our Father props them up; repositions us, supports them in every effort to help us produce good fruit. For apart from the vine; apart from Christ we can do nothing and we have no joy.
But abiding in Christ as Christ abides with us we are given all that we need in this life and the next; we are given faith and salvation. Abiding in Christ we are sustained…fed and nourished. Abiding in Christ we are promised the riches of His kingdom and are made sons and daughters of the King. All of these wonderful blessings give us a joy that is full.
Not only are we given these joyous blessings…something else happens to these fed and nourished vines…they produce wonderful fruit. They produce good works. But what makes these works so great? How many of you have a child or grand child, or nephew, or niece, or some young little person in your life? They draw you a picture…and give it to you. And they say “Do you like it?” Of course! “Do you know what it is?” umm…uhh… a pony? “NO, it’s a birdie feeding a baby bird in the nest.” Oh… yeah… So you take that picture…which you still look at trying to figure out how that drawing is a bird… and what do you do with it? Do you crumble it up and throw it away? Of course not. You put it up on the refrigerator. Not because its such a wonderful piece of art that will one day be worth millions. You put it up on the refrigerator because it was drawn out of love for you. That is how God sees our good works. They may not be perfect…but they have been done by faith out of love for God. And those good works are a joy for God because they were done out of faith and love for Him.
In fact our text says: “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” (John 15:8-9) God is glorified by our wonderful fruit. And what is that wonderful fruit? That wonderful fruit is our good works. They include the works we do as we share the blessings we have received. It is sharing the truth of God’s love. It is sharing the hope and joy we have in Christ Jesus who died and rose for us. It is sharing God’s love with those around us. It is sharing our time, our talents, our treasures, and offerings. It is supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ as well as helping those in need.
Our joy is full and complete in Christ. Because our joy is full and complete we are able to joyfully share with those around us. Our fruit; our good works…grow out of the faith God has given us in Christ Jesus through our baptism. Sharing the blessings we have gives great joy. For Jesus does not give us joys that are but momentary; that just give us a temporary smile on our face. Jesus gives us an everlasting joy. Jesus gives us himself. He gives us salvation and life in paradise.
Let us joyfully join together in returning our thanksgiving and praise to God who gives us such great joy as we sing hymn 803 “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.”
Joyful, joyful we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, Praising Thee, their Son above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, Drive the gloom of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day.
All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird, and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living, Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Fountain-head of love divine;
Joyful, we Thy heav’n inherit! Joyful, we by grace are Thine!
As God’s own children who abide in Christ. Live and love joyfully even as you have received the joyous gifts of God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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