Choosing Joy: Faith and Worship Amidst Trials
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the theme of finding and maintaining joy amidst life's challenges, drawing inspiration from both Scripture and the movie "Elf." We began by acknowledging that many of us may feel spiritually dry, having gone through the motions of faith without truly hearing from God. In such times, it's crucial to pause, listen, and allow the Holy Spirit to refresh our souls. This act of sitting in God's presence can lead to a profound renewal, where we hear His whisper and feel His presence like water in a dry land.
We explored the story of the shepherds in Luke 2, who were ordinary people chosen to receive the extraordinary news of Jesus' birth. This highlights that God often uses the humble and the overlooked to fulfill His purposes. The shepherds' anticipation of the Messiah teaches us that joy is rooted in expectation and faith. Even when hope seems deferred, we must stir up our faith, trusting that God's promises will come to pass.
James 1:2-4 reminds us that joy is not the absence of trials but a choice we make in the face of them. Trials test our faith, producing perseverance and maturity. Like Buddy the Elf, who chose joy despite his father's shortcomings, we too must choose joy, understanding that our response to life's challenges determines their impact on us. This is not about faking it but about genuinely placing our trust in God, allowing Him to transform our pain into growth.
Finally, we emphasized the power of worship. Joy sings, as demonstrated by the angels announcing Jesus' birth and by Paul and Silas singing in prison. Worship shifts our focus from our problems to God's greatness, bringing peace and strength. In our darkest moments, singing praises can be a powerful act of faith, breaking chains and bringing victory.
Key Takeaways:
- Joy in Anticipation: Joy is deeply connected to anticipation and faith. Like the shepherds who awaited the Messiah, we must stir up our faith and expect God's promises to be fulfilled, even when hope seems deferred. This anticipation keeps our hearts aligned with God's timing and purposes. [45:47]
- Choosing Joy Amidst Trials: Joy is a choice, not a feeling. James teaches us to consider it pure joy when facing trials, as they produce perseverance and maturity. Our response to challenges determines their impact, and choosing joy empowers us to rise above our circumstances. [55:45]
- The Power of Worship: Worship is a powerful tool for finding joy. It shifts our focus from our trials to God's greatness, bringing peace and strength. Singing praises, even in pain, can break chains and bring victory, as seen in the stories of Paul and Silas and the shepherds. [01:04:28]
- Faith in God's Promises: God's promises are sure, and our faith must remain steadfast. When God speaks a word, it will come to pass, regardless of how long it takes. Stirring up our faith and maintaining anticipation keeps us aligned with His purposes. [49:32]
- Responding to Trials with Joy: Our response to trials can either imprison us or empower us. By choosing joy and placing our trust in God, we allow Him to transform our pain into growth and freedom. This choice is a powerful act of faith that leads to spiritual maturity. [59:20]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [22:06] - Refreshing in God's Presence
- [24:58] - Spiritual Renewal
- [26:03] - Prophetic Word and Surrender
- [28:20] - Act of Faith
- [31:38] - Offering as Worship
- [36:31] - Legacy Lane: World Missions
- [40:43] - Christmas Classics Series
- [43:05] - The Shepherds' Joy
- [45:47] - Joy in Anticipation
- [49:32] - Stirring Up Faith
- [51:28] - Joy in Trials
- [55:45] - Choosing Joy
- [59:20] - Responding to Trials
- [01:04:28] - The Power of Worship
- [01:10:45] - Worship and Joy
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 2:8-11
- James 1:2-4
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Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 2:8-11, who were the first to receive the news of Jesus' birth, and what was their initial reaction? How does this reflect on God's choice of messengers? [43:05]
2. According to James 1:2-4, what is the relationship between trials and joy? How does this passage suggest we should view challenges? [51:28]
3. The sermon mentioned Buddy the Elf's reaction to learning about his father's shortcomings. How did Buddy choose to respond, and what does this teach us about choosing joy? [56:49]
4. How does the act of worship, as described in the sermon, help shift our focus from our problems to God's greatness? [01:04:28]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why do you think God chose ordinary shepherds to receive the extraordinary news of Jesus' birth? What does this tell us about how God views humility and expectation? [45:47]
2. How can the testing of our faith, as described in James 1:2-4, lead to spiritual maturity and completeness? What does this process look like in practical terms? [51:28]
3. The sermon emphasized the power of worship in finding joy. How does worship act as a tool for overcoming trials and bringing peace? [01:04:28]
4. How does the concept of "choosing joy" differ from simply being happy? What role does faith play in this choice? [55:45]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually dry. What steps can you take to pause, listen, and allow the Holy Spirit to refresh your soul this week? [22:06]
2. Like the shepherds, are there areas in your life where you need to stir up your faith and anticipation for God's promises? How can you actively do this? [45:47]
3. Consider a current trial you are facing. How can you choose joy in this situation, and what practical steps can you take to shift your perspective? [55:45]
4. Worship was highlighted as a powerful act of faith. How can you incorporate more worship into your daily routine to help focus on God's greatness? [01:04:28]
5. Think of a disappointment or setback you have recently experienced. How can you respond in a way that empowers you rather than imprisons you? [59:20]
6. Buddy the Elf chose to spread Christmas cheer despite his challenges. How can you bring joy to others in your community or family this week? [56:49]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to trust in God's promises. What is one action you can take this week to demonstrate that trust? [49:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy in Anticipation
In the midst of life's uncertainties, joy is deeply intertwined with anticipation and faith. The story of the shepherds in Luke 2 serves as a powerful reminder that God often chooses the humble and overlooked to fulfill His purposes. These shepherds, ordinary people, were chosen to receive the extraordinary news of Jesus' birth. Their anticipation of the Messiah teaches us that joy is rooted in expectation and faith. Even when hope seems deferred, we must stir up our faith, trusting that God's promises will come to pass. This anticipation keeps our hearts aligned with God's timing and purposes, allowing us to experience joy even in waiting. [45:47]
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you are waiting for? How can you actively stir up your faith and anticipation while you wait?
Day 2: Choosing Joy Amidst Trials
Joy is not merely a fleeting feeling but a deliberate choice, especially in the face of trials. James 1:2-4 reminds us that trials test our faith, producing perseverance and maturity. Like Buddy the Elf, who chose joy despite his father's shortcomings, we too must choose joy, understanding that our response to life's challenges determines their impact on us. This is not about faking it but about genuinely placing our trust in God, allowing Him to transform our pain into growth. By choosing joy, we empower ourselves to rise above our circumstances, embracing the growth and maturity that trials bring. [55:45]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a current trial you are facing. How can you choose joy in this situation, and what steps can you take to trust God more deeply through it?
Day 3: The Power of Worship
Worship is a powerful tool for finding joy, as it shifts our focus from our trials to God's greatness. The act of worship brings peace and strength, as demonstrated by the angels announcing Jesus' birth and by Paul and Silas singing in prison. In our darkest moments, singing praises can be a powerful act of faith, breaking chains and bringing victory. Worship allows us to experience God's presence and power, transforming our perspective and filling us with joy. By choosing to worship, we align ourselves with God's truth and experience the freedom and victory that comes from His presence. [01:04:28]
"But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." (Acts 16:25, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you incorporate worship into your daily routine, especially during challenging times? How might this practice shift your focus and bring you joy?
Day 4: Faith in God's Promises
God's promises are sure, and our faith must remain steadfast. When God speaks a word, it will come to pass, regardless of how long it takes. Stirring up our faith and maintaining anticipation keeps us aligned with His purposes. The shepherds' story reminds us that joy is deeply connected to anticipation and faith. Even when hope seems deferred, we must trust that God's promises will be fulfilled. This faith in God's promises allows us to experience joy, knowing that His timing and purposes are perfect. [49:32]
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to hold fast to God's promises? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness today?
Day 5: Responding to Trials with Joy
Our response to trials can either imprison us or empower us. By choosing joy and placing our trust in God, we allow Him to transform our pain into growth and freedom. This choice is a powerful act of faith that leads to spiritual maturity. James 1:2-4 teaches us that trials test our faith, producing perseverance and maturity. By choosing joy, we rise above our circumstances, embracing the growth and maturity that trials bring. This response to trials is not about ignoring pain but about trusting God to work through it for our good and His glory. [59:20]
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: How can you reframe a current challenge as an opportunity for growth and maturity? What practical steps can you take to respond with joy and trust in God?
Quotes
"We're supposed to just kind of sit. And the only way, like literally sit down in the presence of God and listen. Because I feel like there's some of you in this room that it's been a moment since you've heard from God. Like you've done the religious thing. You've been to church. You've been all of that. You've done what you know you're supposed to do. But you feel like it's been a minute. And you feel like your soul is dry." [00:21:21] (32 seconds)
"And as I was standing there this morning. And this doesn't go with the message. This doesn't go with anything. All I can tell you is I just felt like the Lord said that we're supposed to sit. And as the worship team sings over us. That there's going to come this refreshing over your soul. And that for some of you for the first time in a long time. You are going to hear the whisper. Of the Holy Spirit speaking in your ear." [00:21:52] (31 seconds)
"Father, I just feel like I've been obedient to you in this moment. And so, Father, I trust you that into the ear of those in this room that are experiencing a dry season. And, Father, I pray that today would just be a refreshing for them. God, I feel the anointing of the Holy Spirit. I feel His presence here. Like water in a dry and thirsty land, God, I pray that you would be refreshing for them." [00:24:41] (59 seconds)
"So, in times like these, if you're not from a church with our background, in times like these, when the Lord begins to speak, sometimes God will speak to us individually. Sometimes God will speak to us as a group. I just had a prophetic word given that just affirms what we've been stepping into. In essence, God is saying, He hears your cry. Amen. And He's brought water for you to drink." [00:27:18] (34 seconds)
"And so, I'm going to ask you, in this moment, if that's you, if you're in a dry land, I'm not going to ask you to get up and come to the front. What I am going to ask is, would you, in an act of faith, would you just write where you sit? Would you just lift your hands in a sign of surrender? God, this is me. I'm here. I'm in this dry and thirsty land. And I'm reaching out for water." [00:27:48] (30 seconds)
"And that brings me to point number one. If you're going to gain or maintain joy in life, and of course we're talking about, through the Christmas season, but this transcends all that, goes into all of life, you have to understand that joy anticipates. You've got to learn to stir up your faith again." [00:46:01] (29 seconds)
"I understand hope deferred makes the heart sick. I get it that when you've been waiting for something for a long time, it's easy to get discouraged and to feel like you just want, I want to give up. But I'm encouraging you, if you're going to maintain joy in life, you have to learn how to stir up your own faith. You have to look at circumstances and know when God has given you a word about something, that it doesn't matter how long it takes to get there. If God said it, it will come to pass. Amen?" [00:46:25] (44 seconds)
"There are times, when you feel like you're just trucking along and you're doing everything that you know to do and you're trying to do everything right and you're trying to live right and you're trying to have the right attitude and you're trying to keep the right demeanor and you're trying to raise your kids right and you're trying to be the right employee and you're trying to be the right spouse and you're trying real hard about doing everything and all of a sudden, life just comes from a blind spot and it just knocks you off your feet. And yet, James says, consider it pure joy." [00:52:41] (38 seconds)
"This is not a fake it till you make it. This is not a fake it till you make it sort of scheme. This is choosing to respond to our trials in a way that does not give our trials the power in our lives. Our response to our disappointment, if we respond correctly, takes the power from the disappointment and it places it squarely into the hands of our God." [00:59:18] (28 seconds)
"Therefore today, despite setbacks, my difficulties, my disappointments, I choose joy. Now, I don't say this. I've hesitated whether I'm going to say this or not, but I'm going to say it anyway. So this past week, we had our van. We had some issues with our van, so we took our van back to the transmission shop and then as I'm driving around in our Montego, the engine light comes on in the Montego and so I take the Montego and I drop it off at the shop and so Stephanie comes in from work that day and she walks in and she knows what I'm preaching on because they've been preparing the set list for me. And she walks in and goes, choosing joy in spite of difficulty." [00:59:54] (51 seconds)
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