Menu
(Clip) What Is the Christian’s Joy?
John Piper
0:00
0:00 5:14
John Piper

(Clip) What Is the Christian’s Joy?

John Piper · 5:14

John Piper explains that the Christian’s joy is rooted in the profound, divine love and joy shared between the Father and the Son, which believers are invited to participate in through salvation.
This sermon emphasizes the unique joy that believers have, which is rooted in the joy shared between the Father and the Son in the Trinity. It highlights the profound love and joy that Jesus has for the Father, leading Him to endure the cross to reveal this love to the world. The ultimate goal is to draw believers into experiencing the deep joy of the Son for the Father and vice versa, surpassing all other joys and loves.

Full Transcript

If you loved me, you would have rejoiced that I am going to the Father. Which means our joy is not the joy that the world gives. He said it about peace explicitly, he means it about joy implicitly. Not as the world gives do I give to you joy. Oh how different is the foundation of your joy than the world's joy. Infinitely different. Because your joy is joy in the joy of the Son in the Father. Your joy is being caught up into and participating in the joy that the Father has in the Son and the Son has in the Father. I'm returning to my Father. I love my Father. I find satisfaction in my Father. I delight in my Father. I treasure my Father. This is a Vesuvius of joy that is closing now. Would you not partake? The world knows nothing. Our joy has infinite roots. It is a participation in the very joy of God in God. And mark this. Remember verse 31. God showed this love between the Father and the Son most clearly at the cross. Let's read verse 31. I do as the Father has commanded me so that the world may know that I love the Father. We see the love of the Son for the Father in the death of the Son for sinners so that they can participate in the love of the Son for the Father. And the joy between the Son and the Father. That's the essence of salvation. To draw us out of all lesser joys and bring us into an experience of the very joy of the Son for the Father and the Father for the Son. There isn't a greater joy. There isn't a greater love than that. And I'm showing it to you now. I want the whole world to know this. I want the world to know that I love the Father. That's why I'm dying. Wouldn't you rejoice? For the joy set before me, I endure the cross. Hebrews 12.2 What joy? This joy. I love my Father. I'm going home. Wouldn't you rejoice with me in that? Yes, you would. If you understood, you would. That's why I'm teaching you all things, John, from these decades later. Here's the practical meaning of that. Go into bed tonight, okay? Here's what you do. As you get in bed, you say, Father, I praise you for the love that exists between you and your Son, Jesus. Let's praise you that you love each other. So thankful that you've revealed to me the love between the Father and the Son in the Trinity, in the Godhead. I praise you for the joy that you have in each other. So I'm mentioning love and I'm mentioning joy. You love each other. You delight in each other. And I praise you that you are that way. And I realize, because what Pastor John pointed out in verse 31, I realize that this love and this joy is the reason Jesus endured the cross. Because he said he wanted the whole world to know him. That he loved the Father as he was dying. That's what he wants them to know. So I realize that this love between you and the Son carried him through the cross for my sin. To bring me up out of my little tiny world of selfishness and groveling around in this world trying to find some satisfaction. You did that for me and therefore my forgiveness, my righteousness, my life utterly depends on this love between you and your Son, Father. And I am glad. I am glad in your gladness in Jesus and his in you. And I thank you for giving me a taste of it. Amen. Good night, Jesus. See you in the morning. While I go totally unconscious like a little helpless baby all night long. And you can be God for me.

Sermon Outline

  1. I. The Nature of Christian Joy
    • Joy is not like the world’s joy
    • Joy is rooted in the relationship between Father and Son
    • Believers participate in this divine joy
  2. II. The Love Between Father and Son
    • Jesus’ love for the Father shown at the cross
    • This love is the foundation of salvation
    • The joy of the Trinity is revealed to believers
  3. III. The Call to Rejoice and Praise
    • Rejoice in Jesus’ return to the Father
    • Praise God for the love and joy within the Trinity
    • Recognize salvation as participation in divine love and joy
  4. IV. Practical Application
    • End the day praising the love between Father and Son
    • Thank God for revealing this love and joy
    • Rest in God’s care like a helpless child

Key Quotes

“Not as the world gives do I give to you joy. Oh how different is the foundation of your joy than the world's joy. Infinitely different.” — John Piper
“Our joy has infinite roots. It is a participation in the very joy of God in God.” — John Piper
“For the joy set before me, I endure the cross.” — John Piper

Application Points

  • End each day by praising God for the love and joy shared within the Trinity.
  • Recognize that true joy comes from participating in the divine relationship between Father and Son.
  • Rest in God’s care with childlike trust, knowing your joy is secure in Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Christian’s joy according to John Piper?
It is the joy rooted in the love and joy shared between the Father and the Son, which believers are invited to participate in.
How does Jesus’ love for the Father relate to salvation?
Jesus’ love for the Father, demonstrated through his death on the cross, is the foundation that allows believers to partake in divine love and joy.
Why is Christian joy different from worldly joy?
Because it is based on an infinite, divine relationship within the Trinity rather than temporary or external circumstances.
How can believers experience this joy practically?
By daily praising God for the love and joy within the Trinity and resting in His care.
What role does the cross play in the Christian’s joy?
The cross reveals the love between the Father and the Son and opens the way for believers to share in that joy.

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate