0836, Joy of Love

Joy of Love, Joy of the Lord | W.D. Frazee Sermons #0836How can a person be happy all the time? In this study from July 11, 1958, Elder W.D. Frazee opens the parable of the talents to reveal what it truly means to "enter into the joy of thy Lord" (Matthew 25:21) — and why that joy is available right now, not just in eternity.The joy of the Lord, Elder Frazee explains, is simply the joy of love — a fixed principle, a settled purpose to serve others. It was this joy that caused Jesus to endure the cross (Hebrews 12:2), and it is this same joy He invites us to share.Using a powerful object lesson of water glasses on a tray, Elder Frazee illustrates how every part of life — eating, sleeping, studying, resting — becomes unselfish service when understood rightly. Even filling the glass at the faucet is serving the thirsty patient, because without the filling, there is no giving.This sermon is a direct challenge to the great temptation: the Devil's suggestion that we can have "some of both" — some selfishness and some love. Elder Frazee shows from Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy that these two principles are mutually exclusive, and only one leads to true happiness.Key Themes: — The joy of the Lord is the joy of unselfish love — Christ's entire life — not just the cross — was a sacrifice for others — The water glass illustration: how rest, eating, and study become service — The danger of mixing selfishness with love (the lesson of Judas) — True happiness is found only in unselfish ministryKey Texts: Matthew 25:21, 23 | Hebrews 12:2 | Hebrews 1:9 | Matthew 20:28 | Philippians 4:5Spirit of Prophecy References: Desire of Ages, pp. 70, 278 | Steps to Christ, pp. 77–78 | Testimonies, Vol. 7, p. 50 | Ministry of Healing, p. 362Hymn: "None of Self and All of Thee"