The path to true and lasting joy is to put Jesus first before ourselves, and to put others before ourselves, just as Jesus sacrificed himself for us. Focusing solely on our own happiness and desires will ultimately lead to misery, while humbly serving Christ and others brings genuine joy and contentment. The Bible teaches that we should imitate Jesus' example of selfless love, being willing to lay down our lives for others just as he did, and in doing so we will experience the fullness of joy.

Transcript

Would you take out your Bible, please, and turn to the Gospel of John, John chapter 14. And we will be there here in just a moment, but if you'll turn to John chapter 15, pardon me, John chapter 15 and verse 9, that's where we'll begin here in just a second. John chapter 15 and verse 9.

When I was growing up I was around a lot of good people, a lot of godly people. I was raised in a Christian home, and something that I heard from a number of sources in regard to joy, as we talked about this morning. Was that that word joy, J O Y, can be used as an acronym, and it stands for Jesus, Others, and Yourself.

And the path to joy is when you put Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last. I'm just curious, who else in here has heard that before? Yeah, it's pretty common, right? My dad said that, my granddad told me that and to their credit, they seem to, from my perspective, certainly try and live that way. But we know, of course, that this is not this is not specifically found in the Bible.

This is a man made acronym. There's no Bible verse that says, the path to joy is Jesus, others, yourself. And so, it is appropriate for us to examine things like that and ask the question, does this acronym, J O Y, Jesus, others, yourself, in that order, does that still work? And many are asking that question.

In fact, this this concept is sort of falling out of favor with a number of people, even among those who wear the name of Christ. I saw an exchange on social media, now this was not between those who are faithful to Jesus, but between some former Christians about this phrase, and how they had heard that phrase all growing up, and how damaging it was to them.

Quote, this is why we're all in therapy, one joked. Another talked about the need for self care and how this eliminates self care. Another talked about how they let people walk all over them because they believe this to be true. Another lamented the tattoo of a friend that said third, because they were trying to be third.

And another said, it's all well and good to live this way if you have lots of people who treat you as one of their others, who put you first in their life. Again, Well, certainly this concept could be abused. This could be taken in the wrong way, applied in the wrong way. And sometimes we have to be clear and make clear boundaries with those who are in sin.

But I would suggest that even making those clear boundaries is not, or at least shouldn't be, just for our own benefit, selfishly. But, But for theirs as well. And so I had a thought as I was reading through all of this and kind of doom scrolling a little bit in all of the comments about this. I thought, well, I wonder.

They've rejected this path to joy, Jesus, others, yourself, so how's that working out for them? And so I went to the social media feed of the, the person who originally posted it, and then a couple of the other main commenters, and I just went back over a number of months and said, Okay, what is their social media feed?

Maybe they've got it figured out. Maybe this is not the path to joy. And you know what I found? I found so much anger. They were vindictive and bitter and negative. They were so critical of others and just generally, very clearly, unhappy, without joy. And social media might not be the best window into someone's life as to who they really are, but it makes me wonder, has putting yourself first really made you happier?

And this is true, certainly, of several that I know personally who have left the faith to pursue their own happiness. And they've, they've put it in those terms. I'm going to pursue my own happiness. And my observation is that they are increasingly miserable with each passing year. Now all of that is anecdotal evidence.

That's based on my experience and the people I know and the people that I've observed. And certainly that's painted by the people that I know and those with whom I interact. So what about, you know, Is there some statistical evidence that we might say that applies one way or another toward this idea of Jesus, others, and yourself?

Well, according to a 2003 poll, a poll from last year, only 39 percent of people in America say religion is very important to them. Only 39%. Now that's compared to 48 percent just in 2019. It was like 62 percent in 1998. So it's fallen drastically, the number of people in America, the percentage of people in America as well, who say that religion is very important to them.

39 percent is by far the lowest number ever recorded on that question. At the same time, according to the same 2023 poll, Only 12 percent of Americans describe themselves as very happy. Again, that is by far the lowest number ever recorded in the history of that polling data. That is an interesting correlation.

That, that as the importance of religion is going down, so too is people's happiness. But you might say correlation does not cause does not prove causation, and you'd be right about that. So I just looked in the, in the evidence a little more, and among that polling data, what was the greatest commonality between these very happy people, those 12 percent of Americans who are very happy?

Well, the highest factor that these people had in common, more than age, more than gender, more than wealth, more than political and community involvement, more than strength of family relationships or education, 68 percent of these very happy people say that religion is very important to them. In follow up interviews with this group of people, the folks who were conducting the poll Noted how those folks were, were happy despite often very difficult and dire circumstances of life.

But they were very happy because they were putting Jesus first, and we can assume others second and themselves last. The most important evidence, all of this, is really, is really secondary to the most important evidence. And that is, of course, what does the Bible say about this? Is this truly a Bible concept?

And if so, how do we apply it into our lives? I'm really excited about the lesson tonight because, because I think I can be helpful. I think I can be helpful for us to think about some things and the way we approach our lives in regard to joy and how God can help us to achieve that joy, building on, Where do you find joy?

I believe that it is found in these priorities, this order of priorities of Jesus, others, yourself. But I'm going to express it a slightly different way this evening. It's not as memorable, but I think maybe it's just a little bit more biblical. Instead of three points, Jesus first, others second, yourself third.

We're just gonna do two points instead. And the two points tonight, you knew I could do it. You knew I could have two points, didn't you? There's not even a bunch of sub points, I promise. The two points tonight, the path to joy, is Jesus before self and others before self. And I'll tell you why I'm gonna put it that way here in just a moment.

If we can do those two things, put Jesus before ourselves, That is the path to true and lasting joy. Are you interested in that? Let's look at it together. The path to joy begins with Jesus before self. That Jesus must come first in our lives. And, and that reality, that Jesus has to come first, that He must be the priority, is clear and obvious.

Even from a, Cursory reading of the New Testament. It is clear that that's what Jesus demands, right? I've got to come first in your life. Now, whether we accept that or not is a different story, but the Bible account is clear in the Gospels, in Acts, in the Epistles, that we have to make Jesus the first priority in our life if we're going to come to Him.

But that submission to Jesus, that priority of making Him first, is connected with this idea of us having joy. I ask you to turn to John chapter 15. Have you turned there? If not, now's a good time. Turn to John chapter 15, and let's notice these verses together, beginning in verse 9 through verse 13. This is on the night Jesus is going to be betrayed.

Obviously, there are lots of things on his mind and on his heart. He is sorrowful, he is distressed in some ways, and he's trying to cram in all of these final admonitions to his apostles before he knows he's about to go to trial and then to the cross. And in John chapter 15, beginning in verse 9, this is what he says.

Listen carefully, please. As the Father loved me, I also have loved you. 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 about, about loving God, about loving Him, about keeping God's commandments, we might say, about putting God first, and listening to His direction.

These things I have spoken to you, That my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. Jesus is about to go to the cross, but His joy is still there, and His joy can remain in the apostles, and their joy can be full if they do this. If they put God first. If they keep His commandments and follow His direction, they will have His love, and He will have their love.

What is the commandment? Verse 12. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. And what is the greatest manifestation of Jesus love? Well, greater love has no one than this than to lay down one's life for his friends. And that's exactly what Jesus was about to do. You want to have joy, He says, you want to have My joy with you and your joy to be full, what you have to do is honor God, love Him, and keep His commandments.

And you have to love other people the way I have loved you, which means, Sacrificing yourself for them. You know what that sounds a lot like? Jesus, others, yourself as the path to joy. Do you see that? Doesn't that seem crystal clear? You know, we read a number of passages this morning about this idea of putting God first and the need to put God first.

We studied from Psalm 126 about that concept of of joy and how that comes from the working of the Father. True joy can only come from God's working in our life, in our relationship with Him. Where we are appreciative of the things He's done for us in the past. We trust Him in the things He's going to do for us in the future.

And because of those things, we can have joy that we express and joy that other people can see. Took me 45 minutes this morning, and that's it. a minute tonight, right? That idea of putting Jesus before self, of putting God before self, is the key that opens up the path to joy, the doorway that leads to joy.

And we read from the book of Philippians, but we didn't read these verses. Turn to Philippians chapter 3, if you would. Philippians chapter 3, beginning in verse 1. As Paul writes, likely from house arrest in Rome,

he talks about joy and rejoicing in this book more than any other. And he says in chapter 3 and verse 1, Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. Now, to this point, by chapter 3 and verse 1, in the first two chapters, he has already mentioned joy and rejoicing as it relates to your relationship with God eight times.

Eight times he's talked about it. Now he says, Finally, and just like a preacher, he's got, you know, another chapter and a half left. But he says, Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same thing to you is not tedious, but for your sake it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation.

Those people are going to come in and tell you you've got to do something else in order to be right with God. For we are the circumcision who worship God in the spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. It is not in the flesh, whether in Judaism or paganism or living after my own lust, That I'm going to have confidence, or that I'm going to have joy.

I can rejoice because I am in Christ Jesus. Because I have confidence beyond the things of the flesh. The flesh cannot give us true joy. We were created in a relationship with God. And something will always be missing without that relationship. And if we can just fill our lives up with, with fleshly pleasurable things, we will still find ourselves empty and hollow in the end.

Amen. And so, in chapter 4, in verse 4, the beginning of what we read this morning, he says, Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, Rejoice. Remember that this kind of joy is only found in the Lord. Why? Because this joy is better, this joy lasts longer, it is genuine, and it is not dependent on outward circumstances.

Worldly happiness is fleeting. It is just for a season. The Hebrew writer calls it the passing pleasures of sin. And this is what is required of a Christian, yes, that we put God first in our lives, but it is also the path to joy. Because Jesus knows what is best for us more than we do. This, this quarter in our congregational focus, it is about the direction of the Lord.

And how we can have, have faith and confidence in the direction that God gives us. Well, God's direction says if you want to have joy, You're going to have to have a relationship with me and put me first. In many ways that just is a continuation of what we said this morning. And so I want to spend the rest of our time this evening on this idea.

Others before self. We know, surely we know, the biblical importance of putting Jesus before ourselves. But what about this concept of putting others before ourselves? My one small critique to this idea of Jesus first, others second, yourselves last, is that phrase, yourself first. I think that might be the wrong way of thinking about it.

I think the better way of thinking about it, instead of saying, Well, I'm putting myself last. I'm just going to leave thoughts about self off the PowerPoint. Yes, I know it says Jesus before self and others before self, but really the focus on both of those is on Jesus and others. And maybe it's good it's in yellow and you can't see it that great.

You know, maybe I should just blank it out entirely. Because it's not about me. And that way of thinking, well, I gotta put myself last, kind of makes it all about myself again, doesn't it? Beloved, I'm not some great martyr because I put Jesus first and others second, right? Everybody see what I'm giving up over here?

Do you see? Do you see what I'm giving up? Because I put myself last. Hey, family, you know, I want you to know I'm making some really big sacrifices for you, and I'm gonna keep reminding you of that, that I'm putting myself last. What does that do except Put the focus right back on myself. I'm just not primarily concerned and focused on me.

At least I should not be, as a Christian. Think about the happiest people you know. I asked this on the car on the way here. You know, who are the happiest people you know? I'll tell you after services if you made the list. But I want you to think about the happiest people that you know. Are those people the ones that are constantly talking about and focused on finding their joy?

That's right. The ones who are always talking about it. You know, I'm going to find this, I'm going to do this, this is about me. I'm going to find my joy. And even if they were doing that from a kind of biblical, godly perspective, I'm going to put myself last so I can find my joy. People who are focused on finding their joy rarely do.

Or are the happiest people, the most joyous people you know, the most content people, the people who have the most peace, are they the ones who who have that joy because it is just naturally the result of the way they live their lives. And I'll bet, if I were a betting man, which I'm not, but if I were, I would be willing to bet and give you pretty good odds that those people that you think of as the most joyous, content, peaceful people that you know are the kind of people who just don't think about themselves much at all.

because they're too busy thinking about Jesus and others. That's certainly the way Jesus was, right? Thinking about others and himself. Turn to John chapter 11, if you would. We're seeking to follow Jesus example in these things, as all others. And in John chapter 11 beginning in verse 45, this is just before the last week of Jesus life.

And the religious leaders, man, we gotta do something about this Jesus guy. This is getting out of hand. So in verse 45, after Lazarus is raised from the dead, then many of the Jews who had come to Mary and had seen the things Jesus did believed in him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did.

I mean, even if one rises from the dead, there are going to be some who don't believe and still want Jesus dealt with. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together a council and said, What shall we do? For this man works many signs. I mean, they admit it. They don't deny it. He works many signs.

We got to do something about it. Verse 48, If we let him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people.

And not that the whole nation should perish. It's worth killing Jesus to save the nation. That's what he's saying. And then John gives us a little bit of background on what he says here. Verse 51. Now this, John says, he did not say on his own authority. But being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation.

And not for that nation only, but also that he would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. Then from that day on, they plotted to put him to death. Now Caiaphas thought he was saying one thing. He was saying, well, let's kill this Jesus guy to save the nation. When in actuality, they were going to kill this Jesus guy to save the nation spiritually.

And not just that nation, but all nations. And, and God and the Holy Spirit are able to use this unrighteous high priest to prophesy of what was going to happen. I mean, that's kind of cool if you sit back and look at it.

But my question is, did they take Jesus life? Steve talked about this last week in his Lord's Supper talk, right? That Jesus willingly gave His life for the sake of the Jews and the Gentiles and all who would come to Him by faith. Now here's my question. Was Jesus thinking of Himself? when he did that.

It's obvious, right? This was self sacrifice for the good of others. And, and we see the inherent goodness, the nobility of self sacrifice for the sake of others. We see that in all sorts of realms where we say, That is That is honorable, that is worthy, that is beautiful that someone is willing to sacrifice themself for somebody else.

That should be emulated, that's something that we hold in high regard. And not just us, but many in the world who don't believe in Jesus, still see the inherent goodness and nobility of self sacrifice. I think maybe that God has put that in us to a certain degree, that we see that. Here's my question. What is the opposite of that?

The opposite of being willing to sacrifice yourself for others, which we hold up as noble and good, the opposite of that is sacrificing others for yourself, right? And when we start to spell it differently, and we put Y first, I'm not going to try and pronounce it right, but Y O J, or Y J O, or whatever order we want to put it in, when we start putting ourselves first, what we're saying is, I'm willing to sacrifice other people for my own good.

I'm willing to put myself first and other people after me. And, and there are some manifestations of that, examples of that, that we would all agree are just despicable. Right? We think about wars that are going on around the world right now, and we think about the cowardice of so called men who use women and children as shields of war.

What is that? That is sacrificing others for themselves, right? We all agree that's, that's wrong. That's horrible. Maybe we think about I heard about an example of this a few months ago where a a young lady came in to get some financial help because her mother had taken her identity and credit and run up a bunch of debt that was now in her name.

That is sacrificing your child for yourself, right? And we say, that's, that's horrible, that's awful. Maybe, I think we can all agree it is an election year after all, that government officials who abuse the taxpayers they are supposed to represent in order to line their own pockets, or grow their own bank accounts, or put their cronies in positions of power, we all agree that sacrificing others for yourself in that way, that's wrong.

We should try not to elect people like that if they exist. But may I suggest that this sort of concept of sacrificing others for myself is manifested in much more subtle ways in everyday life for all of us. If we are not careful, this is the trap we can fall into. The husband who sacrifices his relationship with his wife over and over in small ways to go and do the things he wants to do.

We see the evils of abortion, but it is only a little better if If it is the mother who sacrifices the needs and goods of her, of her born children to chase her fleeting youth and sexual appeal, maybe we think about the child who abuses the goodwill and grace of loving godly parents to to pursue the lust of the world because they feel like the prodigal son.

that their parents have kept a worldly inheritance from them that they deserve. And so they're willing to sacrifice their parents and all that their parents have done for them for themselves in the pursuit of themselves. Maybe it's the boss. God forbid you have a boss like this who sacrifices the needs and good of his or her employees for the bottom line.

Or on the other end, maybe it's the employee, and God forbid that we're this either, who steals from the company in whatever way he or she can, literally or figuratively, figuratively. Because they feel entitled to things beyond the good job that they have. It is easy to fall into this trap of self centeredness and selfishness where we are willing to sacrifice others for ourselves.

And that is the way of the world. Now, I ask you to think about the most joyful person that you know. Somewhere on that list, you know personally somebody like that, don't you? Now, here's my question about them. Think about those people. Have you met a single person like that, that you would describe as joyous?

That has joy, and peace, and contentment? Somebody who's willing to sacrifice others for themselves, and they are just full of joy?

Because it just doesn't happen. This world is all about sacrificing others on the altar. Else, such is not the path. Of the Christian, we know one Corinthians 10 and verse 24, let no one seek his own, but each one, the other's wellbeing. The path to joy is not sacrificing others. The past to joy is sacrificing self, is putting others before ourselves.

We see this certainly in Philippians chapter two. Would you turn back to Philippians chapter two? You'll notice both this morning and tonight we're reading a lot from Philippians and I think a thing better that you can do. Then listening to either one of these lessons is just read the book of Philippians from start to finish and do that.

What it is that Paul says to have joy and rejoicing in Christ, do what he says in these pages. But hopefully we have captured the spirit of what he says. In Philippians chapter 2, begin reading with me in verse 1. Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy.

Ha. By being like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind. Let each esteem others better than himself. Maybe your translation says, esteem others more important than himself. I'm putting their needs ahead of my needs.

Let each of you look out, not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. This is what a Christian is supposed to be. This is how a Christian is supposed to live. Why? Let this mind, this mind of humility that, that sacrifices itself for the good of others be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

Who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery, something to be held on to at any cost, to be equal with God, but made himself, willingly made himself, of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

And Jesus says, I have my joy, and I'm going to leave it with you as the apostles. How did Jesus have that joy? Because he put the needs of his Father first. The will of his father first, and he put the needs of others second. And we can have that same joy if we imitate it in the same way. This is what the Bible lays out for us, and shows us, that this kind of joy, despite our circumstances, is possible.

Was Jesus thinking of himself or others? Did he have joy? We are to imitate our Lord who willingly gave himself. One man died for all the people. And that might require our deaths, but it certainly requires our daily sacrifice for Christ and others, taking up our cross to follow Him. And beloved, joy is not the end goal.

It is the result.

In whatever relationship, give as Jesus would give, serve as Jesus would serve, submit as Jesus would submit, sacrifice as Jesus would sacrifice, with joy. We began in John chapter 15. Would you turn back with me one more time to John chapter 15?

As it was promised to the apostles, so too it can be ours. John 15 and verse 11. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 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.

Jesus, and then others. That's our focus, and that is the path to joy. Thank you for your kind attention tonight, as we've talked about these things, and this morning too. I hope these things are, are practical and helpful to you. And as we walk through those doors, let us not focus on, what am I gonna do this week to have joy?

Instead, what am I going to do this week? To be more conformed to the image of Jesus, to serve as He served, and to love others as He loved. And the great thing, the great benefit, that will come when we least expect it, is we'll wake up and say, Whoa, wait a second. I have the joy and peace that God has promised.

If you're here this evening and you're not yet a Christian, the first step to that is to It's to come to Christ in humble submission, because it is only through His working that we can have joy beyond our circumstances. Won't you come, even tonight, to put Christ on in baptism, to rise, to walk in newness of life, a new life that is characterized by this kind of joy.

And if we can help you, come now, while together we stand and while we sing.