Joy in Knowing Jesus through the Presence of the Holy Spirit John 15:11 … that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full !

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:9-11 Joy in Knowing Jesus

 Repeatedly, the New Testament scriptures speak of a kind of “Joy”. It was very apparent in the Gospels and Book of Acts. Is it therefore something that is for us? Joy in Knowing Jesus

 Answer: Yes, They were anchored in Jesus Christ! Joy in Knowing Jesus

 Why do so many Christians struggle with having and maintaining the Joy of Jesus? 1. Maybe we are anchored too much in the world or problems and not in a life flow from Jesus. What anchors you down? 2. Spirits of worry, fear, despair, etc. in USA Spirit of Babylon which needs to be renounced. 3. Leaning on your own abilities, and not trusting by faith in the Holy Spirit. Prov. 4:20 Joy in Knowing Jesus

How do we enter His joy? 1. Salvation: Be anchored in your salvation daily…not in circumstances! His “joy and strength” go together. You have been saved unto a Living Hope in Jesus Christ. 2. Love: Be anchored in His Love daily! …not your problems. His “love and joy” go together. John 15:9-11 Joy in Knowing Jesus

How do we enter His joy? 3. Speaking/singing to your self daily in Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual songs! Eph.5:19 4. Giving of yourself to others…serve someone else, help someone else, lay down your life for someone else. Joy in Knowing Jesus

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. John 15:12-14 Joy in Knowing Jesus

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. John 15: Joy in Knowing Jesus

Jesus speaking to our Heavenly Father in John 17 confirms by His prayer fullness of joy… “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they (all believers) may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.” John 17:13 Joy in Knowing Jesus

 Act 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Want to know the secret of walking in fullness of Joy? Even in difficult situations? Draw near to the Lord. Allow His Holy Spirit to fill you daily. Joy in Knowing Jesus

1. Joy… is an emotion. Joy especially happens when you first come to know Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. 2. Joyful… is not just an emotion but an actual state of being. Joy in Knowing Jesus

3. Happiness and pleasure are not the same as joy but they lead to joy. Joy is an inner overwhelming spring of life from the Holy Spirit. Joy in Knowing Jesus

 Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, Joy in Knowing Jesus

Joy that Jesus gives us through the Holy Spirit: 1. Joy of being found Luke 15:4 2. Joy that sustains Heb. 12:2 3. Joy after the battle Ps 126:6 4. Joy that comes from His Word Jeremiah 15:16 5. Joy from a complete love for Jesus. 1 Peter 1:8 Joy in Knowing Jesus

6. Joy for those who are in a time of mourning. Isaiah 61: Joy in Spiritual Refreshing. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Acts 8:5-8/Gal. 5:22 8. Joy in persecution. Matt. 5:12/Acts 5:41 9. Joy in Fiery trials. 1 Peter 4: Joy in serving the Lord and others. Nehemiah 8:10 Joy in Knowing Jesus

11. Drawing joy from the well of our salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of your salvation. Isa 12:3 12. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom 15:13 Joy in Knowing Jesus

Four Levels of Joy – 1) No Joy – easy…be negative 2) Some Joy – joy of your salvation in Jesus - security 3) Great Joy – be filled with the Holy Spirit; joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit – laughs in the face of the enemy 4) Hilarious Joy – overflowing release of joy; joy unspeakable and full of glory; overcomes easily Joy in Knowing Jesus

As we think about having this great baptism today, so too Heaven is rejoicing over each one here. The Joy comes from Jesus Christ, through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Anchor yourself in His Joy today! Be truly filled up with overflowing joy ! Joy in Knowing Jesus