Joy Is The Serious Business of Heaven | John 15:5–11 | Chris Brooks

Oct 19, 2025GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCHDr. Christopher M. BrooksPastor to Pastors | Local ChurchJoy Is The Serious Business of HeavenAbide in Love, Joy FULLJohn 15:5–11I. Key Theme: MENO AGAPE HARAH PLAYRAO("Abide – Love – Joy – Full")II. Abide (Meno) – Remain in ChristDefinition: To dwell, endure, make your home.Spiritual Practice: Training the mind to return to God like a compass needle to north.Reflection: What are you abiding in today?III. Love (Agape / Hessed) – Steadfast LoveDefinition: Loyal, never-ending, sacrificial love.Scripture:  • “No greater love…”  • “Perfect love casts out fear.”Reflection Questions:  • Who loves you well?  • Who or what taught you to love better?IV. Joy (Harah) – Strength from the LordDefinition: Gladness, delight, cheerfulness.Scripture:  • “The joy of the Lord is our strength”  • “Everlasting joy will crown their heads” (Isaiah 35:10)Reflection Questions:  • What fills or drains your joy?V. Full (Playrao) – Living in WholenessEvidence of abiding:  • Keeping His commands  • Loving God and others through the Spirit  • Repenting quickly and returningNot a strategy to avoid problems, but a skill to endure them.VI. Neuroscience of Love & JoyDr. Allan Schore: Joy and attachment form brain development.Right Brain (Fast Track):  • Relational identity  • Emotional connection  • Character formationLeft Brain (Slow Track):  • Logic, strategy, problem-solvingCritique of modern discipleship:  • Left-brain heavy (doctrine, willpower)  • Right-brain light (attachment, joy)Call to become “full-brained” Christians  • Combining emotion, intellect, and identity in ChristVIII. Joy as a Spiritual DisciplineJoy is a theological virtue, not just an emotion.Seen throughout Scripture:  • Even in suffering (Paul: “sorrowful yet rejoicing”)  • Jesus Himself was "for the joy set before him endured the cross”Joy empowers us to face trials with strength and hope.Quote: “Joy is the serious business of heaven” – C.S. LewisIX. Practical Steps to Abide in Love & Be Full of JoyAbide  • Spend time in Scripture and fellowship.  • Make room for God’s Word in your life.Love  • Rebuild relational attachments to God and others.  • Ministry without love is empty.Joy  • Joy is transmitted face-to-face and through voice.  • “You make us joyful with your presence” (Ps. 21)Full  • Let the Spirit fill you.  • Be delighted in God’s presence—and delight in others.Be sure to follow us:InstagramFacebookYoutube