From the Pastor...

As we complete the expansion of our Church facilities, and move forward into a new phase of our Congregational life, it is timely to remind ourselves of who we are, why we exist, where we are heading. Jesus mentioned six characteristics or marks that should be found among his followers.

The first mark is Joy. In a prayer to His Father in Heaven, Jesus said, "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my JOY within them." John 17: 13.

The first characteristic Jesus mentions is not truthfulness, holiness, unity or love, but Joy. Jesus wants His people to be filled with joy. His early disciples were. Indeed, the verb "rejoice" or "be joyful" is found 72 times in the New Testament, and the noun "joy" is found 67 times. "Joy be with you." "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy." "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice." Jesus intends for us to have joy. Yet, too often we are not joyful. What is the remedy? May I suggest several.

The first remedy for a lack of joy is SOUND DOCTRINE. Jesus says clearly, "I say these things ......so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them." Joy is associated with a mature knowledge of God's Word. Jesus said, "If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." Our happiness or joy consist in having settled all our thoughts on God, His dealings with us, and His purpose with and through us. So long as we are unsettled, we are in a sea of doubt and inner turmoil When we are settled in our knowledge of God, His will and His ways, we can trust Him peacefully and joyfully whatever the circumstances.

The second remedy for a lack of joy in the believer's life is FELLOWSHIP, and that in two dimensions. There is a vertical fellowship, fellowship with God. And there is a horizontal fellowship, with one another. Jesus is the pattern for us in both cases. Jesus had the joy of moment by moment contact with the Father. This is what sustained Him throughout life. And it will sustain us as well, if we will enter into the reality of that fellowship. Moreover, we can enjoy fellowship on the horizontal level as well. In fact, the evidence that we have fellowship with God is that it draws us close to each other.

The third remedy for lack of joy is to live a holy life. Sin will keep us from God, and fellowship with Him will be clouded. Fellowship with God and the joy resulting from it will disappear if we go our own way, rather than God's. How much better, to go God's way, in obedience to His will, to rest in Him, and thus allow Him to will us with all joy and peace.

In Christian joy,
Floyd McPhee