Fellowship in Joy

It is supposed that some are rejoicing, and this is a happy supposition: you are invited to sympathize with them, and this is a happy duty.

Sympathy is a duty of our common humanity, but far more of our regenerated manhood. Those who are one in the higher life should show their holy unity by true fellow-feeling.

Joyful sympathy is doubly due when the joy is spiritual and eternal.

I invite you to this joy because of those who have lately been brought to Jesus, and are now to be added to the church. The occasion is joyous; let the joy spread all around.

I. REJOICE WITH THE CONVERTS.

1. Some delivered from lives of grievous sin. All saved from that which would have ruined them eternally, but certain of them from faults which injure men in society.

2. Some of them rescued from agonizing fear and deep despair. Could you have seen them under conviction you would indeed rejoice to behold them free and happy.

3. Some of them have been brought into great peace and joy. The blissful experience of their first love should charm us into sympathetic delight.

4. Some of them are aged. These are called at the eleventh hour. Rejoice that they are saved from imminent peril.

5. Some of them are young, with years of happy service before them.

6. Each case is special. In some we think of what they would have been, and in others of what they will be.

   • There is great gladness in these new-born ones, and shall we be indifferent? Let us welcome them with hearty joy.

II. REJOICE WITH THEIR FRIENDS.

1. Some have prayed long for them, and now their prayers are heard.

2. Some have been very anxious, have seen much to mourn over in the past, and feared much of evil in the future.

3. Some are relatives with a peculiar interest in these saved ones Parents, children, brothers, etc.

4. Some are expecting, and in certain cases already receiving, much comfort from these newly-saved ones. They have already brightened the family circle, and made heavy hearts glad.

   • Holy parents have no greater joy than to see their children walking in the truth. Do we not share their joy?

III. REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO BROUGHT THEM TO JESUS.

The spiritual parents of these converts are glad.

The Pastor, Evangelist, Missionary, Author.

The Parent, elder sister, or other loving relation.

The Teacher in the Sabbath School or Bible Class.

The Friend who wrote or spoke to them of Jesus.

What a joy belongs to those who by personal effort win souls!

Endeavor to win the same joy for yourself, and meanwhile be glad that others have it.

IV. REJOICE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

1. He sees his strivings successful.

2. He sees his instructions accepted.

3. He sees his quickening power operating in new life.

4. He sees the renewed mind yielding to his divine guidance.

5. He sees the heart comforted by his grace.

Let us rejoice in the love of the Spirit.

V. REJOICE WITH THE ANGELS.

They have noted the repentance of the returning sinner.

They will henceforth joyfully guard the footsteps of the pilgrim.

They expect his life-long perseverance, or their joy would be premature. He is and will be forever their fellow-servant.

They look one day to bear him home to glory.

The evil angel makes us groan; should not the joy of good angels make us sing in harmony with their delight?

VI. REJOICE WITH THE LORD JESUS.

1. His joy is proportioned to the ruin from which he has saved his redeemed ones.

2. His joy is proportioned to the cost of their redemption.

3. His joy is proportioned to the love which he bears to them.

4. His joy is proportioned to their future happiness, and to the glory which their salvation will bring to him.

   • Do you find it hard to rejoice with these newly baptized believers? Let me urge you to do so, for—
   • You have your own sorrows, and this communion of joy will prevent brooding too much over them.
   • You will renew the love of your espousals by communion with these young ones.
   • It will comfort you for your own erring ones if you rejoice with the friends of converts.
   • It will forbid envy if you rejoice with workers who are successful.
   • It will elevate your spirit if you endeavor to rejoice with the Holy Spirit and the angels.
   • It will fit you to partake in a like success if you rejoice with Jesus, the Sinner’s Friend.

Sympathetics

About three hundred years after the time of the Apostles, Caius Marius Victorious, an old pagan, was converted from his impiety and brought over to the Christian faith; and when the people of God heard this, there was a wonderful rejoicing, and shouting, and leaping for gladness, and psalms were sung in every church, while the people joyously said one to another, “Caius Marius Victorious is become a Christian! Caius Marius Victorious is become a Christian!”

Mr. Haslam, telling the story of his conversion, says: “I do not remember all I said, but I felt a wonderful light and joy coming into my soul. Whether it was something in my words, or my manner, or my look, I know not; but all of a sudden a local preacher, who happened to be in the congregation, stood up, and putting up his arms, shouted out in Cornish manner, ‘The parson is converted! the parson is converted! Hallelujah!’ And in another moment his voice was lost in the shouts and praises of three or four hundred of the congregation. Instead of rebuking this extraordinary ‘brawling,’ as I should have done in a former time, I joined in the outburst of praise; and to make it more orderly, I gave out the Doxology—‘Praise God from whom all blessings flow’—which the people sung with heart and voice, over and over again.”

An ungodly youth accompanied his parents to hear a certain minister. The subject of the discourse was the heavenly state. On returning home, the young man expressed his admiration of the preacher’s talents; “But,” said he, turning to his mother, “I was surprised that you and my father were in tears.” “Ah, my son!” replied the anxious mother, “I did weep, not because I feared my own personal interest in the subject, or that of your father; but I wept for fear that you, my beloved child, would be forever banished from the blessedness of Heaven.” “I supposed,” said the father, turning to his wife, “that those were your reflections, the same concern for our dear son made me weep also.” These tender remarks found their way to the young man’s heart, and led him to repentance.—Arvine.