[Biblemat] hymn study, "Joy Unspeakable"

[Wayne S Walker]

Wayne Walker here with another weekly hymn study.

"JOY UNSPEAKABLE"
"...Yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1
Pet. 1:8)

     INTRO.:  A hymn which talks about the great joy that those who
believe in Christ can possess is "Joy Unspeakable."  The text was written
and the tune was composed both by Barney Elliot Warren (1867-1951).  A
native of New York who grew up in Michigan, Warren joined the Church of
God Reformation Movement centered in Anderson, IN, of Daniel S. Warner,
becoming a minister and a song writer.  Credited with over 7000 hymns, he
edited hymnbooks for the Gospel Trumpet Company from 1888 to 1940, and
lived for many years in Springfield, OH.  His best known hymn is
"Beautiful" beginning, "Beautiful robes so white," and he provided the
tune for Warner's "His Yoke Is Easy" beginning, "I've found the Lord and
He is mine," which has appeared in several of our books.  "Joy
Unspeakable" was published in 1900.  The copyright was later owned by R.
E. Winsett.  Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord's church
during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, the song may
be found in the 1977 Special Sacred Selections edited by Ellis J. Crum.

     The song mentions several things which bring about this wonderful
joy.

I. Stanza 1 talks about freedom
"I have found His grace is all complete; He supplieth every need.
While I sit and learn at Jesus' feet, I am free, yes, free indeed."
 A. We are saved by God's grace through faith: Eph. 2:8-9
 B. To receive the benefits of this grace, we must learn from Christ: Jn.
6:44-45
 C. When we do this, we can be free indeed: Rom. 6:17-18

II. Stanza 2 talks about salvation
"I have found the pleasure I once craved; It is joy and peace within.
What a wondrous blessing!  I am saved From the awful gulf of sin."
 A. Every human being is craving some kind of pleasure in life: Heb.
11:25
 B. However, God offers something more that just outward pleasure; He
gives a joy and peace within: Phil. 4:6-7
 C. This peace comes only when we are saved from the awful gulf of sin:
Mk. 16:15-16

III. Stanza 3 talks about hope
"I have found that hope so bright and clear, Living in the realms of
grace;
O, the Savior's presence is so near, I can see His smiling face."
 A. God makes possible the hope of eternal life: Tit. 1:1-2
 B. But this hope is only for those who live in the realms of grace by
abiding in the doctrine of Christ: 2 Jn. v. 9
 C. Those who have this hope find the Savior's presence near, even as if
they can see His smiling face, because as they dwell in Him, He dwells in
them: Eph. 3:17

IV. Stanza 4 talks about glory
"I have found the joy no tongue can tell. How its waves of glory roll!
It is like a great o'er-flowing well, Springing up within my soul."
 A. Yes, God make is possible for us to have true joy: Phil. 4:4
 B. This joy is the result of the knowledge of the glory of God: 2 Cor.
4:6
 C. It is like a great well, springing up within our souls to everlasting
life: Jn. 4:14

     CONCL.:  The chorus exuberantly reminds us of the great joy that God
has for His people in Christ. 
"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."
When we understand that every good and perfect gift comes from God,
especially all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, our
souls will most surely be filled with "Joy Unspeakable."
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