Hymn: Fulness of Joy
The sermon 'Fulness of Joy' by John Nelson Darby explores the hope of seeing God's face, the joy of being known by God, and the fruit of God's perfect love.
John Nelson Darby expresses the profound joy and hope found in the anticipation of seeing Jesus face to face, emphasizing the deep love and grace that believers experience in their relationship with Him. He reflects on the sweetness of belonging to Christ and the eternal joy that comes from being united with Him and His saints in glory. The sermon highlights the assurance of God's faithful love, which sustains believers through their earthly journey and culminates in a future filled with praise and worship.
Text
OH, bright and blessed hope! When shall it be That we His face, long loved, Revealed shall see? Oh! when, without a cloud, His features trace, Whose faithful love so long We've known in grace; That love itself enjoy, Which, ever true, Did in our feeble path Its work pursue? O Jesus, not unknown, Thy love shall fill The heart in which Thou dwell'st, And shalt dwell still. Still, Lord, to see Thy face, Thy voice to hear; To know Thy present love For ever near; To gaze upon Thyself, So faithful known, Long proved in secret help With Thee alone; To see that love, content, On me flow forth, For ever Thy delight, Clothed with Thy worth!
O Lord, 'twas sweet the thought That Thou wast mine; But brighter still the joy That I am Thine!
Thine own, O Lord, the fruit, The cherished fruit, Of Thine all perfect love! No passing root Of evil e'er will dim Thy cloudless rays; But a full heart pour forth Thine endless praise! Nor what is next Thy heart Can we forget - Thy saints, O Lord, with Thee In glory met, (Perfect in comeliness Before Thy face - Th'eternal witness all Of Thine own grace), Together then their songs Of endless praise, With one harmonious voice, In joy shall raise! O joy supreme and full, Where sunless day Sheds forth, with light divine, Its cloudless ray!
Sermon Outline
- The Hope of Seeing God's Face
- The Joy of Being Known by God
- The Fruit of God's Perfect Love
- The fruit of God's love
- The enduring nature of God's love
Key Quotes
“O Jesus, not unknown, Thy love shall fill The heart in which Thou dwell'st, And shalt dwell still.” — John Nelson Darby
“To see that love, content, On me flow forth, For ever Thy delight, Clothed with Thy worth!” — John Nelson Darby
“O joy supreme and full, Where sunless day Sheds forth, with light divine, Its cloudless ray!” — John Nelson Darby
Application Points
- We can experience the fullness of joy by seeking to know and be known by God.
- God's faithful love pursues us and fills our hearts with joy and contentment.
- The fruit of God's perfect love is a heart that pours forth endless praise and thanksgiving.