What do you think should be the distinguishing marks of the Church? The most important characteristics? Holiness Love Holiness Love Truth Truth Mission

What do you think should be the distinguishing marks of the Church?

The most important characteristics?

Holiness Love Truth Mission Unity

Above all others: JOY

Happy! Happy! Happy!John 17:13

The First Mark of the Church – Joy

God’s Remedy for a Lack of Joy

The First Mark of the Church – Joy We do not think of joy as a primary mark of

the Church – perhaps the most important! chairein – verb “to rejoice” “be joyful”- 72x chara – noun “joy” - 60x Used as a greeting but also an attitude Examples: Luke 2:10; John 15:11; Phil. 4:4 Is the Church today joyful?


God’s Remedy for a Lack of Joy1. Sound Doctrine

Joy is associated with a mature knowledge of God – Psalm 19:8; 119:14; John 15:10-11.


Psalm 19:8 (NASB)8 The precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psalm 119:14 (NASB)14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your

testimonies, As much as in all riches

John 15:10-11 (NASB)10 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.

11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.



This is an experiential knowledge of God’s character and commandments.

Joy is a result of settling all our thoughts on God, His dealings with us, and His purposes with and through us – Psalm 34:8, 22.


Psalm 34:8, 22 (NASB)8 O taste and see that the LORD is good;

How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned



This is an experiential knowledge of God’s character and commandments.

Joy is a result of settling all our thoughts on God, His dealings with us, and His purposes with and through us – Psalm 34:8, 22.

Circumstances; circum – around and stare – to stand, therefore, things that are standing around us. Circumstances are without, but God is within – Colossians 1:27.


Colossians 1:27 (NASB)27 to whom God willed to make known

what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

God’s Remedy for a Lack of Joy2. Fellowship

Jesus speaks not just of joy but of “my joy.” Jesus is the embodiment of this even though

He is “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”

What was Jesus’ joy – Hebrews 12:2?


Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and

perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

God’s Remedy for a Lack of Joy2. Fellowship

Jesus speaks not just of joy but of “my joy.” Jesus is the embodiment of this even though

He is “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”

What was Jesus’ joy – Hebrews 12:2? This joy is also seen in the moment by moment

contact and fellowship with the Father. All this is given to us – Gal. 4:6; 1 John 1:3-4!


Galatians 4:6 (NASB)6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the

Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

1 John 1:3-4 (NASB)3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to

you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

God’s Remedy for a Lack of Joy3. Righteousness and Peace – Holiness

Sin keeps us from God by breaking fellowship with Him – something that we need.

John follows joy with holiness – Romans 14:17.


Romans 14:17 (NASB)17 for the kingdom of God is not eating

and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

God’s Remedy for a Lack of Joy3. Righteousness and Peace – Holiness

Sin keeps us from God by breaking fellowship with Him – something that we need.

John follows joy with holiness – Romans 14:17. Evidence of a lack of fellowship with God and

thus a lack of fellowship with other believers is a lack of joy in our lives!

Lack of joy comes from lacking peace and lacking righteousness – Romans 15:13!


Romans 15:13 (NASB)13 Now may the God of hope fill you with

all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Application

Do you have joy?

From where do you derive this joy?

Do others see this joy in you?


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What do you think should be the distinguishing marks of the Church? The most important characteristics? Holiness Love Holiness Love Truth Truth Mission