3 John, JOYFULNESS vs. self-pity (1)

1)    Definition: the exultation of my inward being that results from genuine harmony with God and with others.

2)    Scripture: Prov. 3:13; 12:20,25; 14:13,21; 15:13,20, 23,30; 17:1,5,22; 22:9; 23:24-25; 29:18; Lk. 10:20; Jn. 15:24; Ac. 5:41; Rom. 12:12,15; 1 Cor. 7:20; Gal. 5:22; Phil. 4:4 (the entire letter to the Philippians is about joy); 1 Th. 5:16; Hb. 12:2; Jas. 1:2; 1 Pt. 1:8; 4:13.

3)    Underlying Principle: We ought to be joyful because this is the evidence of a harmonious relationship with God.  It is the fruit of the Spirit.

4)    Illustration: 2 Sam. 6:12-23.  David had erred the first time he tried to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, and with tragic consequences.  But then the presence of the Ark in the home of Obed-Edom brought joy.  And then David and the people rejoiced at the blessing of God’s Presence as they brought the Ark to it’s resting place in Jerusalem.  David’s wife, and Saul’s daughter, Michal, had no joy because she was not in harmony with what God was doing, and thus she was also not in harmony with her husband.

5)    Bible Study:

a)    The value of joy.

i)      Prov. 17:1: The value of harmonious relationships in the home is seen here: Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.

ii)   Prov. 17:22: Harmony in relationships is good for our health. A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.

b)    The relationship of joy to harmonious relationships.  In these passages note the resulting joy or happiness in various relationships.

i)      Prov. 14:21: people in general, including your “neighbor” and the poor.

ii)   Prov. 15:20: parents find gladness in a wise son.

iii)            Prov. 15:13a: here the harmony is with your own self, your soul.

iv) Prov. 23:24-25: a stronger statement about parents and their children.

v)    Acts 8:39: the Ethiopian rejoiced being in harmony with his Creator.

vi) Acts 11:23: Barnabas was glad when he saw that the Gentile church in Antioch was in harmony with the Jewish church in Jerusalem.

vii)          Ac. 15:3: the brethren rejoiced upon hearing the conversion of Gentiles.

viii)       Phil. 4:1: Paul’s love for the Philippian church brought him joy.

ix) Matt. 18:13: what great joy when one lost sheep is found.

x)    Lk. 10:20: rejoice not in accomplishments but your relationship with God.

xi) 2 Cor. 13:9: sometimes humbling ourselves before others causes us to feel bad; but with Paul he was glad when he was weak and others strong.

xii)          3 John 3-4: John rejoiced when he heard about believers who were walking in the truth.  I have experienced this; have you?