Choosing Joy: A Journey of Faith and Obedience
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all who helped with the road race yesterday. Your dedication, even in adverse weather conditions, is truly commendable. This morning, I felt led to invite Pastor Roger and Myrna Eilers to share their journey and ministry experiences. Their work in Belarus, Poland, and other places has been a testament to God's faithfulness and the power of community support.
As we transition into the sermon, let's turn to 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, which speaks about the depths of God and the mysteries He reveals to us through His Spirit. We've been exploring the fruit of the Spirit, focusing on love and joy. Love is the foundation, but today, we delve deeper into joy. Joy is not merely a fleeting emotion but a profound decision rooted in our relationship with Jesus Christ. It transcends circumstances and is a testament to our faith in Him.
Joy is a choice, a decision to walk in the Spirit and exhibit the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more. It's about maintaining a perspective that keeps our eyes on Jesus, regardless of life's challenges. True joy is derived from who Jesus is, not from our circumstances. It is limitless, transformative, and a reservoir waiting to be tapped into.
We explored several sources of joy: obedience to God's commandments, maintaining fellowship with God, experiencing answered prayers, engaging in worship, and praying in the Spirit. Each of these practices helps us to live in the fullness of joy that God intends for us. Joy is not about the absence of trials but about the presence of God in our lives, guiding us and filling us with His Spirit.
In conclusion, let's choose to live in joy, rooted in our faith and relationship with Jesus. Let’s focus on His love, obey His commandments, and maintain a close fellowship with Him. As we do, we will experience the transformative power of true joy in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Joy is a Decision, Not a Feeling: Joy begins with a conscious decision to walk in the Spirit and exhibit the fruits of the Spirit. It is not dependent on our circumstances but on our relationship with Jesus Christ. This decision to live in joy is transformative and life-defining. [41:51]
2. Obedience to God's Commandments: One of the primary sources of joy is obeying God's commandments, especially the command to love. When we walk in love, we naturally experience joy. This obedience aligns us with God's will and brings a deep sense of fulfillment and happiness. [39:35]
3. Maintaining Fellowship with God: A close, personal relationship with God is essential for experiencing true joy. This relationship is nurtured through prayer, worship, and spending time in His presence. Sin can hinder this fellowship, but repentance restores our connection with God. [46:55]
4. The Power of Answered Prayer: Seeing our prayers answered brings immense joy. It reinforces our faith and reminds us of God's faithfulness. When we pray according to God's will and see His responses, it fills us with joy and strengthens our relationship with Him. [48:59]
5. Worship and Praying in the Spirit: Engaging in worship and praying in the Spirit are powerful ways to experience joy. Worship shifts our focus to God's goodness and love, while praying in the Spirit builds us up and fills us with His joy. These practices help us to live in the fullness of joy that God desires for us. [50:01]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[28:00] - Gratitude for Road Race Volunteers
[29:26] - Introduction of Pastor Roger and Myrna Eilers
[36:36] - Offering and Ministry Support
[38:18] - Prayer for Offering
[39:35] - Exploring the Depths of God
[40:36] - The Foundation of Love
[41:51] - Joy as a Decision
[46:55] - Maintaining Fellowship with God
[48:59] - The Power of Answered Prayer
[50:01] - Speaking Life Over Circumstances
[52:11] - Praying for Leaders and Authorities
[54:03] - Joy in Affliction
[57:02] - Joy in Extreme Poverty
[59:48] - Sources of Joy
[01:03:20] - Obedience to God's Commandments
[01:07:54] - Maintaining Fellowship with God
[01:16:45] - Answered Prayer Brings Joy
[01:19:57] - Worship Produces Joy
[01:23:44] - Praying in the Spirit
[01:25:10] - Conclusion and Call to Live in Joy
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
2. Romans 15:12-13
3. John 15:10-11
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, what has God prepared for those who love Him, and how are these things revealed to us?
2. In Romans 15:12-13, what does Paul say will fill us with joy and peace, and what is the key to experiencing this?
3. What does Jesus say in John 15:10-11 about the relationship between keeping His commandments and experiencing joy?
4. The sermon mentioned several sources of joy. Can you list at least three of them? [39:35]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of joy being a decision rather than a feeling change the way we approach difficult circumstances? [41:51]
2. Why is maintaining fellowship with God essential for experiencing true joy, according to the sermon? [46:55]
3. How does answered prayer reinforce our faith and bring joy, as discussed in the sermon? [48:59]
4. What role does worship and praying in the Spirit play in experiencing joy, and why are these practices important? [50:01]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent challenging situation. How could you have chosen joy in that moment by focusing on your relationship with Jesus rather than the circumstances? [41:51]
2. Think about your daily routine. What specific steps can you take to maintain a closer fellowship with God, such as setting aside time for prayer or worship? [46:55]
3. Recall a time when you experienced answered prayer. How did that moment impact your faith and joy? How can you use that experience to encourage others? [48:59]
4. Identify one commandment of God that you find challenging to obey. How can you work on obeying it this week to experience the joy that comes from obedience? [39:35]
5. Consider your current worship practices. How can you incorporate more heartfelt worship into your daily life, even outside of church services? [50:01]
6. Reflect on your prayer life. How often do you pray in the Spirit? What changes can you make to ensure this becomes a regular part of your spiritual practice? [50:01]
7. Joy is described as limitless and transformative. What is one area of your life where you need to tap into this reservoir of joy? How will you start doing that this week? [44:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy is a Decision, Not a Feeling
Joy is a profound decision rooted in our relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not merely a fleeting emotion that comes and goes with our circumstances. Instead, joy is a conscious choice to walk in the Spirit and exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, and peace. This decision to live in joy is transformative and life-defining. It requires us to maintain a perspective that keeps our eyes on Jesus, regardless of life's challenges. True joy is derived from who Jesus is, not from our circumstances. It is limitless, transformative, and a reservoir waiting to be tapped into. [41:51]
1 Peter 1:8-9 (ESV): "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
Reflection: Think of a recent challenging situation. How can you choose to focus on Jesus and experience joy despite the circumstances?
Day 2: Obedience to God's Commandments
One of the primary sources of joy is obeying God's commandments, especially the command to love. When we walk in love, we naturally experience joy. This obedience aligns us with God's will and brings a deep sense of fulfillment and happiness. Obedience to God's commandments is not about following rules for the sake of it but about living a life that reflects His love and character. As we obey His commandments, we find that our lives are enriched with joy and peace, and we become a testament to His goodness. [39:35]
John 15:10-11 (ESV): "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."
Reflection: Is there a specific commandment of God that you find challenging to obey? How can you take a step towards obedience today and experience the joy that comes with it?
Day 3: Maintaining Fellowship with God
A close, personal relationship with God is essential for experiencing true joy. This relationship is nurtured through prayer, worship, and spending time in His presence. Sin can hinder this fellowship, but repentance restores our connection with God. Maintaining fellowship with God means prioritizing time with Him, seeking His presence, and allowing His Spirit to guide us. It is in this intimate relationship that we find the fullness of joy that God intends for us. [46:55]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: How can you intentionally spend more time in God's presence this week? What specific steps will you take to nurture your relationship with Him?
Day 4: The Power of Answered Prayer
Seeing our prayers answered brings immense joy. It reinforces our faith and reminds us of God's faithfulness. When we pray according to God's will and see His responses, it fills us with joy and strengthens our relationship with Him. Answered prayers are a testament to God's active involvement in our lives and His desire to bless us. They encourage us to continue seeking Him and trusting in His plans for us. [48:59]
1 John 5:14-15 (ESV): "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent answered prayer. How did it impact your faith and joy? How can you use this experience to encourage others in their prayer life?
Day 5: Worship and Praying in the Spirit
Engaging in worship and praying in the Spirit are powerful ways to experience joy. Worship shifts our focus to God's goodness and love, while praying in the Spirit builds us up and fills us with His joy. These practices help us to live in the fullness of joy that God desires for us. Worship is not just about singing songs but about a heart posture that honors and glorifies God. Praying in the Spirit allows us to connect deeply with God and align our hearts with His will. [50:01]
Ephesians 5:18-20 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more worship and praying in the Spirit into your daily routine? What changes do you need to make to prioritize these practices?
Quotes
1. "Joy also is a decision. Joy is more... I just read something recently and I, because I've been studying on joy, that joy is more of a decision than it is a feeling. It begins with a decision. It begins to walk. I'm going to walk in the joy of God. We're supposed to be filled with the spirit. We're supposed to be filled with the fruit of the spirit. What people see coming out of us should be love, joy, peace, and so on. The fruits of the spirit. That's how they know that you're actually different than the rest of the world." [41:07] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Real joy comes from, from who Jesus is. And that's where we've started from. Real joy is from who Jesus is. And based on him, rather than who we are. And what is happening around us. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit. Abiding in God's presence and from hope in his word. I love that definition. True joy is limitless. Life-defining. Transformative. It's a reservoir waiting to be tapped into. It requires the utmost surrender and, like love, is a choice to be made. You can choose to live in joy. No matter what's happened. No matter what the news says. No matter what your bank account says. No matter what the doctor says. No matter what's happening around you. You can choose right now, I want to live in joy." [44:02] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We can be walking through this life. And we don't have to... We don't have to be affected by whatever circumstance comes up. But you have to choose where you're going to keep your eyes. Remember Peter. When he walked on water, he could walk on water because he had his eyes on Jesus. The moment he took his eyes off of Jesus and started looking at the waves, the circumstances, the idea that water and water... I'm not supposed to be able to walk. As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he could do the miraculous. He could do the supernatural. He could exist in a supernatural. He could exist in a supernatural state because of not who he is, but because of who Jesus is. And what Jesus has done." [48:07] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We have the authority to speak over this stuff. We as believers shouldn't be watching whatever local TV, or whatever TV we're watching, and going and lamenting, yep, it's horrible, yep, it's bad, yep, it's never going to change, yep, it's going to get worse. We're speaking death. We should be looking at this going, you straighten out right now. You come in line with the Word of God. Local school district, you come in line with the Word of God. Local school board, instead of complaining and whining about the local school board, start praying for them and speaking life over them." [50:01] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Joy is a choice. Not necessarily a feeling. Turn to Romans chapter 15. Romans chapter 15, beginning with verse 12. Says, and again, Isaiah says, The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles. In him will the Gentiles hope. Praise God. If you're not a Jew here today, you're a Gentile. And that's talking to us. If you're a Jew, you're in too. I heard it before I said it, and I was so happy. I was so happy. Here we go. Okay, I will try to stay focused today. I can see it's one of those mornings." [46:17] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Joy is not happiness. Happiness exists. Of course it does. But happiness is basically... Based on circumstances. Someone who is happy has feelings of pleasure, usually because something is nice. Something nice is happening or because they feel satisfied with their life. You don't have to be satisfied with what's going on around you to walk in joy. I know that seems so weird. That seems so anti-reality. But praise God, we live in a supernatural world that is more real than our physical world around us. We can choose. To trust and believe God in him, we can choose to be in joy. You can choose right now. You can start choosing right now. And that's what I want you to do." [55:16] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Worship produces joy. This morning, worship was producing joy in me. There was a couple of songs. It caught me, man. I mean, I praise God that the worship in here is loud. Not too loud, but loud. Because there were a couple of times when my voice cracked this morning because we were singing about the goodness of God and what he's done for us and how I'm not, I'm not, you know, sins are not accounted against me. And it got me again, man. It just, it just like, I, I, I said, my voice started to crack just a little bit, very manly, but I was just started to crack just a little bit. And it was just like, God, you're so good to us. Thank you. You're so good to me. Thank you, Lord. Worship produces joy." [01:19:57] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When we pray, you're speaking God's will out into this earth. And when you do, and then a prayer gets answered, you can go, wow, there's joy in answered prayer. There's exceeding joy when our prayers are answered. The epitome of the Christian life is stepping beyond our needs and asking God to bless others. Ephesians 3, 14 says, for this reason, I bow my knees before heaven. This is a prayer that you can pray for people. I pray it for you guys all the time. I almost daily. I pray this prayer for our church. I pray this over you. I pray this over individuals. If an individual is going through something, I pray this prayer for that individual. Whenever I hear about it." [01:18:23] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Fellowshipping with God, the Father produces joy. Fellowshipping with Jesus produces joy. The thing that, that takes away joy, takes away joy is sin. Now here's the deal. The sin doesn't change how God looks at you. It just changes how you want or desire to relate to him. Perfect example is, Adam and Eve. Before the tree, before the fruit, Adam and Eve were in the garden and it says every day God would come down in the cool of the day and he would walk with them. He would fellowship with them. He would hang out with them. And then Adam and Eve disobeyed God and they ate the fruit. They sinned. The sin entered the world. So then from that point on, God never came down in the cool of the day, did he? You're wondering, aren't you? No. The Bible says he came down that day. He came down that moment. He came down in the cool, just like he, his, in his heart, the relationship had not been broken. In his heart, he loved them just as much as he loved them before. He cared about them just as much. He wanted to be with them just as much. He came down in the cool of the day to spend time with them, just like he had always done. It was them that went and hid and put on some leaves. They were trying to hide from God. That's what sin does to us." [01:13:06] (95 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "How do you have a relationship? You just follow him. You follow him wherever he leads you, how he leads you, when he leads you. Your following Jesus could be very different the way you follow Jesus, the way I follow him. Now he's, it's the same Jesus. It's not like however you want to, it's however he wants to. But he's individual. He leads you individually. Fellowship, fellowshipping with God, the Father produces joy. Fellowshipping with Jesus produces joy. The thing that, that takes away joy, takes away joy is sin. Now here's the deal. The sin doesn't change how God looks at you. It just changes how you want or desire to relate to him." [01:11:21] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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