Choosing Joy: Embracing God's Love and Redemption

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound themes of joy, captivation, and consecration, drawing from the book of Zephaniah and the story of the shepherds in Luke 2. Advent is a time to slow down and reflect on the joy that comes from God's presence and promises. Zephaniah speaks of hope after judgment, illustrating that God's justice is intertwined with His love. This love is not just for Israel but extends to us, offering restoration and joy. The challenge many of us face is learning to celebrate and embrace life's highs without the fear of impending lows. We often miss out on joy because we are waiting for the other shoe to drop, but Jesus calls us to a life of joy despite life's inevitable troubles.

The story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer serves as a reminder that knowing about God is different from truly meeting Him. When we encounter God, we are captivated by His presence, which leads to action. This captivation is essential before consecration; it is through being captivated by God's love that we are set apart for His purposes. The shepherds' response to the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth exemplifies this—they were captivated and moved to action, leaving their posts to witness the miracle of Christ's birth.

We are encouraged to choose what we focus on, as our thoughts shape our actions and ultimately our lives. By taking every thought captive and dwelling on what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy, we align ourselves with God's will and experience His joy. The source of our joy is the redemption we have in Christ, who died for us while we were still sinners. This sacrificial love is unparalleled and assures us that nothing can separate us from God's love.

As we navigate the holiday season, with its mix of joy and sorrow, we are reminded to focus on what God has made new in our lives. By choosing to be captivated by God's redemption, we find joy on the other side. This choice is not manufactured but a daily decision to embrace the life Jesus offers. Let us hold onto the truth that we are new creations in Christ, and nothing in this world compares to the joy found in Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. Hope After Judgment: Zephaniah teaches us that God's justice is not separate from His love. His promises of restoration and joy are for us today, reminding us that even after judgment, there is hope and renewal. This hope is a source of joy that transcends our circumstances. [21:22]

2. Captivation Leads to Action: True captivation by God leads to action, as seen in the shepherds' response to the angelic announcement. When we are captivated by God's presence, we are moved to live out our faith actively, sharing the joy we have received with others. [28:53]

3. Choosing Our Focus: Our thoughts determine our course, and by choosing to focus on what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy, we align ourselves with God's will. This intentional focus leads us to experience the joy and peace that God offers. [32:21]

4. The Power of Redemption: God's love is demonstrated in Christ's sacrifice for us while we were still sinners. This redemption assures us that nothing can separate us from His love, providing a foundation for our joy and hope. [37:22]

5. Joy as a Choice: Joy is not a passive experience but a choice we make daily. By choosing to be captivated by God's love and redemption, we embrace the life He offers, finding joy even amidst life's challenges. [38:59]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [19:36] - Zephaniah's Message of Hope
- [21:22] - Justice and Love Intertwined
- [22:33] - Learning to Celebrate
- [23:36] - Choosing Joy
- [27:14] - The Shepherds' Captivation
- [28:53] - Captivation Leads to Action
- [30:11] - Focus and Consecration
- [30:55] - The Power of Our Thoughts
- [32:21] - Taking Thoughts Captive
- [33:26] - The Enemy's Distractions
- [34:13] - A Filter for Our Thoughts
- [35:11] - The Source of Joy
- [37:22] - God's Unfailing Love
- [38:33] - Choosing to Be Captivated
- [40:04] - Embracing New Creation
- [41:54] - Practical Steps for Joy
- [42:50] - Focusing on Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. Zephaniah 3:14-20
2. Luke 2:8-15
3. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

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Observation Questions:

1. In Zephaniah 3:14-20, what are the reasons given for Israel to rejoice and celebrate? How does this passage illustrate the theme of hope after judgment? [19:36]

2. According to Luke 2:8-15, how did the shepherds react to the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth? What actions did their captivation lead them to take? [27:14]

3. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, what does it mean to take every thought captive to obey Christ? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on choosing our focus? [32:21]

4. How does the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer illustrate the difference between knowing about God and truly meeting Him? What was the result of his captivation by God? [23:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Zephaniah's message of hope after judgment apply to our understanding of God's justice and love today? In what ways can this message bring joy to our current circumstances? [21:22]

2. What does the shepherds' response to the angelic announcement teach us about the relationship between captivation and action in our faith journey? How can we apply this to our own lives? [28:53]

3. How can taking every thought captive, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, help us align our lives with God's will and experience His joy? What practical steps can we take to implement this in our daily lives? [32:21]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that joy is a choice rather than a passive experience? How can we actively choose joy in the midst of life's challenges? [38:59]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to celebrate life's highs due to fear of impending lows. How can you learn to embrace joy without waiting for the "other shoe to drop"? [22:33]

2. Consider the areas of your life where you feel captivated by God's presence. How can you translate this captivation into action, similar to the shepherds' response? [28:53]

3. Identify a thought pattern that often distracts you from focusing on what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy. What steps can you take this week to take these thoughts captive and align them with Christ? [32:21]

4. Think about a specific area in your life where you need to experience God's redemption. How can focusing on Christ's sacrificial love help you find joy and hope in this area? [37:22]

5. What practical steps can you take to remind yourself daily that you are a new creation in Christ? How can this truth influence your choices and actions during the holiday season? [40:04]

6. How can you intentionally choose to focus on Christ amidst the distractions and stresses of the holiday season? What specific actions can you take to keep your focus on His redeeming work? [42:50]

7. Reflect on the statement, "Joy is not a passive experience but a choice we make daily." What is one specific way you can choose joy this week, even in the face of challenges? [38:59]

Devotional

Day 1: Hope Beyond Judgment
In the book of Zephaniah, we find a profound message of hope that emerges after judgment. This hope is not merely a future promise but a present reality that transcends our circumstances. Zephaniah illustrates that God's justice is deeply intertwined with His love, offering restoration and joy even after times of correction. This message is a reminder that God's promises of renewal are for us today, inviting us to experience joy that is not dependent on our current situation but rooted in His unchanging nature. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to embrace the hope that God offers, knowing that His love and justice work together for our good. [21:22]

Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Reflection: Consider a situation in your life where you feel judged or condemned. How can you invite God's hope and restoration into this area today?


Day 2: Captivation That Leads to Action
The story of the shepherds in Luke 2 exemplifies how true captivation by God's presence leads to action. When the shepherds heard the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth, they were so captivated that they left their posts to witness the miracle. This captivation is essential before consecration; it is through being captivated by God's love that we are set apart for His purposes. When we encounter God, we are moved to live out our faith actively, sharing the joy we have received with others. This response is not just about knowing God but truly meeting Him and allowing His presence to transform our actions. [28:53]

Luke 2:15-16 (ESV): "When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger."

Reflection: Think of a recent moment when you felt captivated by God's presence. How can you translate that captivation into a specific action today?


Day 3: Choosing Our Focus
Our thoughts have a profound impact on our actions and ultimately shape our lives. By choosing to focus on what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy, we align ourselves with God's will and experience His joy. This intentional focus is a daily decision that requires us to take every thought captive, filtering out distractions and lies that the enemy may use to deter us. By dwelling on God's truth, we find peace and joy that surpasses our understanding, allowing us to navigate life's challenges with a steadfast heart. [32:21]

Philippians 4:8 (ESV): "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Reflection: Identify one negative thought pattern you struggle with. What is one truth from God's Word that you can focus on to counteract this pattern today?


Day 4: The Power of Redemption
God's love is powerfully demonstrated in Christ's sacrifice for us while we were still sinners. This act of redemption assures us that nothing can separate us from His love, providing a foundation for our joy and hope. The sacrificial love of Christ is unparalleled, offering us a new identity as redeemed children of God. This redemption is not just a past event but a present reality that transforms our lives, inviting us to live in the freedom and joy that comes from being fully known and fully loved by God. [37:22]

Romans 5:8-9 (ESV): "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle to accept God's love and redemption. How can you embrace His love more fully in this area today?


Day 5: Joy as a Choice
Joy is not a passive experience but a choice we make daily. By choosing to be captivated by God's love and redemption, we embrace the life He offers, finding joy even amidst life's challenges. This choice is not manufactured but a deliberate decision to focus on the new creation we are in Christ. As we navigate the holiday season, with its mix of joy and sorrow, we are reminded to focus on what God has made new in our lives. By holding onto the truth of our identity in Christ, we discover a joy that surpasses all understanding and transforms our perspective. [38:59]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to choose joy in a challenging situation? How can this choice impact your perspective and actions?

Quotes

"But in that, he's meeting them, right? So this is the end of Zephaniah 3, and he says, So sometimes we get this picture of like, oh, like, if God gives us justice, then he can't be loving. But justice is loving. And it right here, it says he's restored. He's singing to Israel. He's delighting in them. And Israel, we share in that now. It's not just Israel. It's God loves us the same way." [00:21:22] (32 seconds)


"While we're on the topic of choosing celebration, it may seem like I'm going off on a trail but I'm not there's this movie Bonhoeffer that just came out it's about this pastor from World War II his name is Dietrich Bonhoeffer he wrote a couple of great books that shaped Christian thought today but he was mainly known for standing up to Hitler and he was a really cool dude, you should watch the movie but this kind of paradigm of choosing joy came up in that movie to me Luther grew up in Lutheran church or maybe you'd be more familiar with Catholicism where it's kind of rigid so" [00:23:44] (42 seconds)


"he was a really smart guy he knew a lot about God he was a theologian so much so that he got sent to America to learn more to further his studies while he was in America he encountered a Pentecostal church some might call it a Pentecostal church a charismatic church I call it a black church there's just something like or you know a church of like Tracy's there, yes just for context, take the color out of it but while he was at this church he was talking to the pastor and the pastor goes, have you met God?" [00:24:27] (44 seconds)


"and Dietrich was fascinated or I'll say for my word today he was captivated everybody say captivated all right, whenever we truly meet God we truly meet God there is something undeniably captivating about him amen there's undeniably a mentor of mine says it like this our job isn't to defend Jesus to make people believe in Jesus we hold him out in front of people and what they take of it, they do but I believe whenever I say, hey, here's Jesus people are like, what? let me get closer there's something captivating there's something that captivates me there's something that draws people to him it's not my job today I want to talk about being captivated over consecrated this isn't heretical, I promise consecration is good but I think we have to be captivated before we become concentrated or captivated before we become consecrated I know that's two C's I promise I was sick before I met Dave but let me give you, let's start with some definition captivated captivated means to attract and hold interest of inattention or to charm" [00:25:34] (83 seconds)


"Then an angel stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. And they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy, and that will be for all the people. Today in the city of David, a Savior was born for you. Who is the Messiah? The Lord. This will be the sign for you. You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and laying in a manger." [00:28:16] (27 seconds)


"Suddenly there was a multitude of heavenly hosts, and with the angel praising God and saying, Glory to God in the heaven, and peace on earth to the people he favors. When the angels had left and returned to heaven, the shepherd said to one, Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see what had happened, which the Lord has made known to us. Guys, they were captivated by the angels. And then what? They were moved to heaven. To action. They left their posts. They left their job. They went AWOL. Captivation leads to action." [00:28:43] (37 seconds)


"Whatever has our attention, the Jimmy Siebert, the father of Antioch, which is our family churches, but I mean, I say it jokingly, but I respect the shoes out of that guy. He says it like this. He says, whatever has our attention has our affection. Whatever has our affection has our adoration and adoration is worship, right? So whatever we're focusing on, whatever we're choosing, to focus on leads us down a path ultimately to serve that, right? So if we're focusing on the bad, we're focusing on the negative, we're going to end up at a negative destination. I talk to, talk to my son about this all the time." [00:31:14] (41 seconds)


"Since the weapons of our warfare are not flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds, we demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God. And just focus right here is we take every thought captive to obey Christ. We take every thought captive to obey Christ. Being really humble, open, transparent with you guys is this one is really hard for me. I'm, I gravitate towards pessimism quite a bit." [00:32:21] (34 seconds)


"So it's always like worst case scenario until my wife is like, Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey, this is reality. It's not so bad. Everything's not falling apart. I'm like, Oh yeah. Um, the reality is, is, uh, even if we don't act on these things, these thoughts, right. By some miracle, right? Because whenever we think about something, we end up acting out of that. But even if we don't, it's still a distraction. I know that's how it is in my life." [00:32:55] (31 seconds)


"Romans five verses seven through nine says for rarely will someone die for a just person. Though for a good person, perhaps someone might even dare to die, but God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath?" [00:36:38] (30 seconds)


"Romans 8, 38 and 39 says, For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Guys, this is, I mean, I, I don't know what I expect, but this is, this is the good news. God redeemed us." [00:37:38] (27 seconds)


"Today, let's choose to be captivated by this. God's redemption, because on the other side of this is joy. And I used to think like, oh, if I have to choose it, then it's, it's manufactured. No, it's not. Every day, if you're married, you, you get up and you choose your wife. You choose to be a good parent. Anything real in life is a choice. Amen." [00:38:59] (26 seconds)


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Transcript
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