Hunger for Joy part 2

This is the second part of the sermon Hunger for Joy in the Fullness of Joy series. I preached this sermon on March 22, 2009.

For some, joy seems just out of reach
Looking for joy in all the wrong places, many things promise fullness of joy but only Christ can deliver, all others come up short. King Solomon tried to find joy, fulfillment in all the wrong places, he didn’t withhold any good thing and he had this to say! “Vanity of vanities saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity” Eccl 1:2 Most of us probably don’t have this problem. (eg diet fads – no more joyful and I am hungry)
More dangerous is that we need to take care of other business first then I will work in a relationship with the Lord – either get me sin straightened out or get a good life…
Priorities – misplaced priorities can become between us and joy
-Solomon’s conclusion was to “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccl 12:13
-Seek first the Kingdom of God

For some, lack of joy leaves you feeling out of touch
Sin leaves your heart hardened Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Circumstances leave your spirit broken Proverbs 15:13 by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.Misplaces priorities leave you weary Isaiah 40:30-31 30: Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
You can come to church Sunday and you hope that a song or a sermon may lift your spirits and help you feel good. But you still feel out of touch, disconnected, joy is still missing and yet you continue to hold on to the things that rob you of joy and you wonder why you feel out of touch. After all, you were at church, must be a problem with the church, I’ll go to another one, and another, and on and on when the problem is you are disconnected.
John 15:1-11 1: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2: Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3: Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6: If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8: Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9: As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10: If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11: These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
I know this sounds elementary, but if you want a fullness of joy you must abide in Christ – love him with all your heart soul mind and strength – keep his commandments – read your bible, pray coming to Sunday School to connect with other believers, coming to Church to connect with and worship the Lord, and serving him during the week – bearing fruit – that is the fullness of joy!