SPREAD IT ON THICK

We are accustomed to spreading different things. We spread butter on bread, large towels on beaches, jam on toast, peanut butter on pancakes (I like spreading it thick on my pancakes), blankets on beds, fertilizer on grass and plants, gossip we hear, rumors that go around, icing on our cakes, etc. Well, you get the point.

It is also possible for us to spread love, peace, understanding for others and their needs, good-will, unlimited forgiveness (we should be spreading all of these and more). As well, we are given the mandate from Jesus to be spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His eternal kingdom! In this blog, I want to talk about SPREADING JOY! We should do so unsparingly and very generously! Our goal is to have JOY SPREAD ON THICK!

As I have mentioned before, The Book of Philippians is "THE BOOK OF JOY"! It is bright, cheerful, loving and radiant. Though Paul the Apostle wrote this letter to the Christians in the city of Philippi from prison, he used the word JOY 16 times in this one letter. It is interesting and very worth-while to note that the word JOY, and its various forms such as REJOICE, is used about 480 times in the Bible, depending on the translation.

In Paul's letter, his goal was to bring the Philippians' mind, spirit, belief and life-style to the reality, importance of and commitment to JOY IN JESUS! Paul admonished them to resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, to live as becomes followers of Jesus Christ! He talked seriously about following Jesus and living in a way that truly fits a life that has been inwardly transformed by the Gospel of Christ. So, in this letter, Paul brought them again and again to the main point; the sincere quest for JOY! He wants the Philippians to realize the absolute importance of joy in a Christian's life, and he works diligently to show them how to bring joy into their attitude and behaviors. In the second verse of the second chapter, Paul said, "make my joy complete. . . ." He indicated that they had the responsibility of spreading joy which would bring to completion his joy. Paul was not talking about a superficial, shallow, circumstantial joy. He was not referring to the common joys of life. I am not saying he was denigrating those joys - the joy of wife or husband, of family, of children, of sunrises and sunsets, of material provisions, of health or of good, hard and meaningful labor. He is not talking about the multitude of joys that God gives us because of His love, grace and mercy. BUT, he does mean a deeper, even more fulfilling joy than these joys mentioned. His focus was on the joy that comes through personal faith, relationship, love and obedience in Christ; a joy so real, so immense, so powerful and so profound that it defies all comprehension! This joy does have a dangerous aspect to it. And here it is, it requires our utter abandonment to everything contrary to personal faith, obedience and to the dedicated pursuit of God! Paul said it best, "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count (regard) all things to be garbage in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have given up ALL THNGS, and consider them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him. . . ." (Philippians 3:7-9). "That I may KNOW Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. . . ." (Philippians 3:10). Dos this not reflect an utter abandonment? Does it not show us the reality of joy and full contentment in living whole-heartedly for Jesus?

Let's go further in examining this spiritual joy.

1) JOY IS NOT CIRCUMSTANTIAL! As noted earlier, Paul was imprisoned in Rome when he wrote this letter, with the main point being JOY IN THE LORD! He was not only in jail, he faced potential execution. Despite his horrible circumstances, Paul emphasized the value and importance of rejoicing in the Lord always! This joy is not dependent on excellent health, favorable circumstances, freedom from adversity, ideal situations, temporal blessings, a great check-book balance, material possessions, or the absence of trials, hardships, disappointments, failures, or heart-ache. It is, though, a joy that transcends all understanding and is found ONLY in a personal and a maturing relationship with Jesus!

2) THE SOURCE OF JOY IS JESUS! We ascertain from Scripture that Paul's joy was deeply rooted and grounded in his relationship with and devoted love for Jesus Christ! He declared, "For to me to live (to be alive) is Christ", highlighting the centrality of Christ Jesus in his Life" (Philippians 1:21). The Philippians were encouraged by Paul to find their joy in Christ, not in external things that can easily be taken away. You see, happiness is based on external things; it comes and goes in an instant. Joy comes from Jesus who gives it to us! "You (God) will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures forever" (Psalm 16:11).

Jesus said, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy will overflow" (John 15:11).

3) WE FIND JOY THROUGH PRAYER AND GRATITUDE! Paul urged the Christians at Philippi to present their requests to God in prayer with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). He commanded them to be "anxious for nothing, BUT to pray about everything" (Philippians 4:6). Remember this principle: By focusing on God's goodness and expressing genuine gratitude, followers of Jesus can experience a deeper, more profound and durable JOY!

4) REJOICING IS A SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE! Rejoicing in the Lord always is both a command and a spiritual discipline! A spiritual discipline is something we do regularly in order to enhance our spiritual growth. So, living in JOY should accompany the other spiritual disciplines of reading the Scriptures, prayer, church attendance, sharing our faith with others, tithing; all things we do to grow in our daily walk with Jesus. Active and consistent rejoicing in the Lord is a great antidote for spiritual mediocrity and a powerful defense against the encroachment of anxiety and worry.

5) THE GOAL OF JOY IS TO GLORIFY GOD! Paul yearns for the Philippians' love to abound in knowledge and discernment, so they can be pure and blameless for the Day of Christ (His Return). "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more in real knowledge and discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be pure and blameless until the Day of Christ, having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:9-11). The joy found in Christ is meant to overflow and to be spread around (thick) to others and thus to bring God glory and praise. So, ultimately, Joy In Jesus leads to a life that glorifies God and reflects His wonderful grace, love and mercy! That kind of life is what is described in the old gospel song written by Barney Elliott Warren in 1900. He titled it "Joy Unspeakable" and the lyrics of the chorus are:

"It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, Full of glory; It is joy unspeakable and full of

glory; O the half has never yet been told!"

Without a doubt, God wants us to be joyful! The devil wants us to be sad, despondent, hopeless, angry and bitter. Focus with me on some significant verses from the Bible on spiritual joy and then let's pursue it!

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4).

"Therefore my heart is glad and rejoices. . .In Your presence is fullness of joy. . ." (Psalm 16:9 & 11).

"Now, may the God of hope fill you with all joy. . . ." (Romans 15:13).

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials" (James 1:2).

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22).

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer" (Romans 12:13).

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,, goodness, faithfulness. . . ." (Galatians 5:22).

"Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24).

It is wonderful to experience the JOY OF THE LORD here and now, but one day when we get to heaven, we can hear Jesus say to us, "Well done, you good and faithful servant, enter into the JOY OF YOUR LORD" (Matthew 25:21 and 23).

God wants to spread His Joy around; to spread it thick over our circumstances, our choices, our priorities, our attitude and mind-set, our disposition, our actions, our worries, anxieties, all our relationships and our worship! He desires that we find real and lasting joy in the resources and strength He provides! Nehemiah said, ". . .the joy of the LORD is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). Once we allow God to spread His Joy over us, we then have the awesome privilege of spreading His joy to others we are in contact with!

JOY IS SPREADING; IT'S BEING SPREAD ON THICK!