JOY

We are beginning a series of messages at Amarillo First Nazarene on the promises of God from the Gospel of John. This Sunday is the promise of joy, John 15:11. Like peace, joy is the salvation of the Lord. Joy is the good news replacing the bad news in the human heart, it is the taste of forgiveness and release from guilt and condemnation. It is the rush of stepping into the Father's arms and being smothered with the embrace of holy love and acceptance. It is the smile that erupts from the depths of a heart that has been liberated, healed, and invaded with Divine holiness. Joy is the awe of being overwhelmed wtih abounding grace and magnificant mercy. Joy is Jesus Christ-Savior, Sanctifier, Shepherd. Joy is the hallelujah of the life redeemed from darkness and death. Joy is the inner dance of a new creature in Christ. Joy is the celebration of God in Christ and the discovery and participation in amazing grace.

I heard Ravi Zacharias say this: Joy for Christian is central and sorrow peripheral. For the unbeliever sorrow is central and joy is peripheral...the fruit of the Spirit is joy.