Choosing Joy: The Power of Faith and Service
Summary
Beloved congregation, today we delve into the profound truths of choosing whom we serve, the distinction between fun and joy, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are confronted with the stark reality that our choices have eternal consequences. As we navigate through life, we are often tempted to serve the gods of substance, pleasure, and material possessions. Yet, Jesus warns us in the Scriptures, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Our possessions are fleeting, but our souls are eternal.
We must shift our perspective from seeing things as possessions to seeing them as blessings. This shift is crucial because it aligns our hearts with God's heart. The peace that God promises is not dependent on our circumstances but on our focus. When we keep our minds stayed on Him, we experience His perfect peace. This peace transcends the temporary highs of fun, which is merely emotional pleasure. Joy, on the other hand, is an attitude of expectancy, knowing that something good is about to happen despite life's challenges. It is this joy that sustains us through the hard times, allowing us to praise God in the midst of our trials.
The Holy Spirit plays a pivotal role in our spiritual journey. He corrects our wrong directional shifts and changes our motivations. The Spirit convicts us of sin, which is essentially making wrong directional choices, and challenges our motivations for our actions. Are we seeking to glorify ourselves or to glorify God? This is a question we must continually ask ourselves.
Furthermore, we are reminded that while all of us are God's creation, not all of us are God's children. To become a child of God, one must receive Jesus Christ. This is a profound truth that distinguishes mere creation from divine sonship. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us, and without Him, we cannot truly know Christ.
Lastly, we are encouraged to let go of our losses and look forward to what God has in store for us. The Bible assures us that God's replacement parts are better than the original. We are new creatures in Christ, and the new is always better than the old. We are not to be escapists but survivors, enduring and overcoming life's trials with the strength that God provides.
Key Takeaways:
- Choosing whom we serve is a decision of eternal significance. Serving the gods of this world leads to destruction, but serving the true God leads to eternal life. Our choices reflect our allegiance, and it is imperative to choose wisely, for the consequences are everlasting. [01:02:13]
- Joy is not a fleeting emotion but a steadfast attitude rooted in the expectancy of God's goodness. It is the deep-seated assurance that, regardless of our current struggles, God is working on our behalf. This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but on an internal certainty of God's faithfulness. [01:03:31]
- The Holy Spirit's role in our lives is to guide us away from wrong paths and to purify our motives. He convicts us of sin and redirects our focus towards God's glory. This divine guidance is essential for living a life that is pleasing to God and aligned with His purposes. [53:09]
- Sonship with God is not automatic; it is a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. This truth emphasizes the importance of personal faith and the transformative power of accepting Christ as Lord and Savior. Being a child of God is a privileged position that comes with divine inheritance and identity. [54:32]
- Letting go of the past and embracing what God has in store is a principle of faith. Trusting in God's provision and timing is crucial for spiritual growth. The losses we experience are often preparation for the greater blessings God intends to bestow upon us. His plans are always for our good and His glory. [01:07:40]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 1:10-13 - "He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."
2. Colossians 1:16 - "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him."
3. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 1:10-13, what is required for someone to become a child of God?
2. How does Colossians 1:16 describe the role of Jesus in creation?
3. What does 2 Corinthians 5:17 say about the transformation that occurs when someone is in Christ?
4. In the sermon, what are the "gods" that people are tempted to serve, and what does Jesus warn about this? [01:02:13]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to receive Jesus and believe in His name according to John 1:12? How does this change our identity?
2. How does understanding Jesus as the creator of all things (Colossians 1:16) impact our view of material possessions and their importance?
3. What does it mean to be a "new creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and how should this affect our daily lives?
4. The sermon mentions that joy is an attitude of expectancy. How does this differ from the common pursuit of fun, and why is this distinction important for Christians? [01:03:31]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily choices. Are there areas where you might be serving the "gods" of substance, pleasure, or material possessions? How can you shift your focus to serve the true God? [01:02:13]
2. Joy is described as an attitude rooted in the expectancy of God's goodness. Can you identify a current struggle in your life where you need to adopt this attitude of joy? How can you practically do this? [01:03:31]
3. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and purifies our motives. Are there specific areas in your life where you feel the Holy Spirit is prompting you to change your direction or motivation? How will you respond to this conviction? [53:09]
4. Becoming a child of God is a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. Have you fully embraced this identity? If not, what steps can you take to deepen your faith and relationship with Christ? [54:32]
5. The sermon encourages us to let go of past losses and look forward to God's future blessings. Is there something from your past that you need to let go of? How can you trust in God's provision and timing for your future? [01:07:40]
6. How can you cultivate a mindset that sees your possessions as blessings rather than mere material items? What practical steps can you take to align your heart with God's heart in this area? [01:02:55]
7. Think of a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed by circumstances. How can you apply the principle of keeping your mind stayed on God to experience His perfect peace in similar future situations? [01:02:55]
Devotional
Day 1: Eternal Choices, Everlasting Consequences
Our daily decisions are not just fleeting moments but carry eternal weight. Choosing whom to serve is a decision of eternal significance. Serving the gods of this world—substance, pleasure, and material possessions—leads to destruction, but serving the true God leads to eternal life. Our choices reflect our allegiance, and it is imperative to choose wisely, for the consequences are everlasting. The allure of the world is strong, but the call to follow Christ is a call to a higher purpose and an eternal reward.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world." (1 John 2:15-16 ESV)
Reflection: What worldly desires are you struggling to overcome, and how can you actively choose God's way over them today? [01:02:13]
Day 2: Joy Beyond Circumstances
Joy is not a fleeting emotion but a steadfast attitude rooted in the expectancy of God's goodness. It is the deep-seated assurance that, regardless of our current struggles, God is working on our behalf. This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but on an internal certainty of God's faithfulness. It is this joy that sustains us through the hard times, allowing us to praise God in the midst of our trials and to remain hopeful in the face of adversity.
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of joy today, even if your circumstances are challenging? [01:03:31]
Day 3: Guided by the Spirit
The Holy Spirit's role in our lives is to guide us away from wrong paths and to purify our motives. He convicts us of sin and redirects our focus towards God's glory. This divine guidance is essential for living a life that is pleasing to God and aligned with His purposes. The Spirit challenges our motivations and corrects our wrong directional shifts, ensuring that we seek to glorify God rather than ourselves.
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come." (John 16:13 ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's guidance today, and how can you be more attentive to His voice? [53:09]
Day 4: The Privilege of Divine Sonship
Sonship with God is not automatic; it is a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. This truth emphasizes the importance of personal faith and the transformative power of accepting Christ as Lord and Savior. Being a child of God is a privileged position that comes with divine inheritance and identity. It is through the Holy Spirit that we come to know Jesus and enter into this profound relationship with the Creator.
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12 ESV)
Reflection: What does being a child of God mean to you, and how does this identity shape your daily life? [54:32]
Day 5: Embracing God's Future Blessings
Letting go of the past and embracing what God has in store is a principle of faith. Trusting in God's provision and timing is crucial for spiritual growth. The losses we experience are often preparation for the greater blessings God intends to bestow upon us. His plans are always for our good and His glory. We are encouraged to look forward to the new things God is doing in our lives, as His replacement parts are better than the original.
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV)
Reflection: What past losses do you need to let go of in order to embrace the new things God is doing in your life? [01:07:40]
Quotes
1) "Joy is not an emotion. Joy is an attitude that something good is about to happen even though everything in life says that it's not." [01:03:31] ( | | )
2) "The Holy Spirit has got to change your wrong directional shift; the next thing he's got to do is change your motivation." [53:09] ( | | )
3) "All of us are God's creation, but not all of us are God's children. To become a child of God, one must receive Jesus Christ." [54:32] ( | | )
4) "What God got in store for what you lost is greater, better, and more than what you had in the past." [01:07:40] ( | | )
5) "The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, which is essentially making wrong directional choices, and challenges our motivations for our actions." [58:48] ( | | )
6) "When God gets through taking you through, then he going to reward you. Sometimes God wants to see what you're made of." [01:07:01] ( | | )
7) "God promises to keep you in perfect peace if you keep your mind stayed on Him. That's the difference between fun and joy." [01:02:55] ( | | )
8) "We are new creatures in Christ, and the new is always better than the old. Your replacement part is better than the original." [01:07:40] ( | | )
9) "The Bible says He blesses us in our season. So if your season is still dry, don't worry about it; it's not your season yet." [01:06:21] ( | | )
10) "The Holy Spirit's role is to guide us away from wrong paths and to purify our motives. He redirects our focus towards God's glory." [53:09] ( | | )
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