True Christian Joy
A Sermon on John 4:13-14
Originally preached May 28, 1967
Scripture
13Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting …
Sermon Description
How can one know God? This is one of the most important questions to ask. Some say that people must look to themselves and others say that human reason will reveal God. But in this sermon from John 4:13–14 titled “True Christian Joy,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that these are wrong. The only sure way to know God is through revelation. God through His Holy Spirit not only reveals His words to His apostles and prophets, but He inspires their very writings of this revelation. This has immense significance for all Christians because by this they have assurance of who God is and what He has done. They are not left without a word from God. By looking to God’s word, one can know that they have been forgiven and made children of God. This ensures the true joy that comes from knowing Christ. All false religions tell to look to the self for happiness and peace, but it is only Christianity that shows that peace comes from outside the self. This should encourage all those suffering from depression and sorrow because it tells that God is the true source of peace and not the self; one must simply look to God.
Sermon Breakdown
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The sermon text comes from John 4:13-14. Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that whoever drinks the water he gives will never thirst.
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Jesus is offering full satisfaction and everlasting life. The question is whether we have experienced this.
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The Christian life should be one of assurance and joy. Miserable Christian is a contradiction. Early Christians were filled with joy.
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The sermon will look at whether Christianity provides satisfaction for the heart and emotions. The Holy Spirit provides joy, directly through visitations and indirectly by producing spiritual fruit.
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The Holy Spirit also provides joy through Scripture. Scripture was written so our joy may be full and so we may know we have eternal life.
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To understand Scripture, we need the Holy Spirit's illumination. Natural men cannot understand spiritual things.
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The Holy Spirit inspired the writing of Scripture like he inspired its revelation. Scripture is the result of men being taken hold of by the Spirit.
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The purpose of Scripture is to give assurance and joy. John wrote his epistle so his readers' joy would be full.
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Do we know we have eternal life? Do we have the joy of living water springing up to everlasting life? This gives full satisfaction.
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Joy comes through the Holy Spirit, directly and through Scripture. We should never read Scripture without praying for illumination.
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The Christian's joy is meant to be full and solid, not superficial. It is based on understanding, not passing emotions.
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Joy should not be sought as an end in itself. It is a byproduct of our relationship with the Lord. We rejoice in the Lord.
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What we are in Christ is more important than what we feel or what happens to us. Our joy depends on our relationship to Christ, not circumstances.
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Scripture unfolds Christ and what he has done. This is how it gives joy. John wrote about Christ so his readers' joy would be full.
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To have joy, look to Christ, not yourself or your circumstances. Consider who he is and what he has done. He gives living water.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Finding Joy in Christ: Questions and Answers
What is the main source of Christian joy according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the main source of Christian joy is our relationship with Jesus Christ. He emphasizes, "The Christian's joy is based on the realization of what he is," and that this joy comes not from seeking joy directly, but as a byproduct of our relationship with the Lord. He quotes Paul's words, "Rejoice in the Lord always. And again I say rejoice," to show that true joy is found in Christ himself, not in circumstances or feelings.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast the water Jesus offers with worldly pleasures?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that Jesus told the woman at the well, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again," illustrating that worldly pleasures and pursuits never fully satisfy. In contrast, Jesus said, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst," showing that the satisfaction Christ gives is complete and eternal. Lloyd-Jones explains that worldly satisfaction is temporary, while the joy Christ offers is "a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
What role does the Holy Spirit play in giving Christians joy according to the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the Holy Spirit gives Christians joy both directly and indirectly. Directly, through "visitations of the Spirit" that can happen to individuals or groups during revivals. Indirectly, through producing "the fruit of the Spirit" in believers (love, joy, peace, etc.) and through illuminating the Scriptures. He says, "He does this, and I would say that this is the, from the practical standpoint, the chief method. He does it through the scriptures."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say Christians should never seek joy as an end in itself?
Lloyd-Jones warns against seeking joy directly because true Christian joy is always a byproduct of something else - specifically our relationship with Christ. He states, "The Christian should never seek for joy as an end in and of itself. Never. There's no greater fallacy than that." He explains that seeking joy directly leads to "spurious joy" like what cults offer - temporary satisfaction that doesn't last. True joy comes from focusing on Christ rather than on our feelings.
How does the sermon explain the relationship between Scripture and Christian joy?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that the Scriptures were given "in order that we might have this great joy and rejoicing." The Scriptures produce joy by "unfolding to us the Lord Jesus Christ himself and what he has done for us." He quotes from 1 John where the apostle writes "these things write we unto you that your joy may be full" and "that you may know that you have eternal life." However, Lloyd-Jones clarifies that the Holy Spirit must illuminate Scripture for us to understand and receive this joy.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the difference between Christian joy and worldly happiness?
Lloyd-Jones contrasts true Christian joy with "mere superficial excitements and passing emotions." He describes Christian joy as deep, solid, profound, and based on understanding, while worldly happiness is superficial, temporary, and often manufactured through "aesthetic and psychological methods." He states, "The only joy that is worth having is a serious joy. It's a sober joy, it's a deep joy, it's a solid joy." Christian joy persists even through trials, unlike worldly happiness.
How should Christians respond to trials according to this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christians should not expect freedom from trials, saying, "Our Lord has never promised us an easy time in this world." Rather, when facing troubles, Christians should look to Jesus rather than at the circumstances. He explains that our joy should "not be dependent upon what is happening to them" but on our relationship with Christ. He uses the example of Hebrew Christians who initially "took joyfully the spoiling of your goods" because they focused on Christ rather than their circumstances.
What misconception about Christianity does Dr. Lloyd-Jones address in this sermon?
Lloyd-Jones addresses the misconception that becoming a Christian means "you'll never have any more troubles" or that you'll "walk down the road of life with hetertictum, never any troubles again." He calls this "utter nonsense" and explains that Christianity doesn't promise an absence of troubles but rather joy in spite of troubles. He also addresses the misconception that Christianity aims to make people happy through superficial means rather than through a deep relationship with Christ.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe that understanding Scripture requires the Holy Spirit?
Lloyd-Jones explains that "the natural man cannot understand the Bible" because spiritual truths require spiritual discernment. He states, "Without the spirit, no one can understand these things at all," quoting "The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for their foolishness unto him." He uses the analogy of radio transmission and reception, saying that just as a radio needs both a transmitter and receiver, Scripture requires both the Spirit's inspiration (in writing) and illumination (in reading).
What practical advice does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give for reading the Bible?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones advises Christians to never read the Scriptures without praying first. He says, "You should never read the Bible without realizing you're doing something exceptional. And you offer a prayer, not just mechanically, but you ask God to illuminate and enlighten your mind and your understanding." He emphasizes that we need "this unction, this anointing" from the Holy Spirit to truly understand and benefit from Scripture.
The Book of John
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.