Embracing God's Everlasting Joy in Every Circumstance
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound and transformative gift of joy that God offers to each of us. This joy is not merely a fleeting emotion tied to our circumstances or achievements but a deep-seated assurance rooted in the salvation we have through Christ. We began by acknowledging the common struggle of seeking joy in future events or accomplishments, often falling into the trap of "destination disease," where joy is always just out of reach. However, the true joy that God offers is available to us in every moment, regardless of our situation.
The story of the shepherds in Luke 2 serves as a powerful reminder that joy is a divine gift for all people, irrespective of their status or circumstances. The shepherds, ordinary and marginalized, were the first to receive the good news of great joy, illustrating that God's joy is inclusive and available to everyone. This joy is not dependent on external factors but is a result of the Holy Spirit's work within us, producing a fruit that transcends our earthly experiences.
We also acknowledged that life is not always happy, and challenges such as grief, illness, and disappointment are real. Yet, even in these moments, God's joy remains steadfast. It is a joy intertwined with His grace, mercy, and love, providing us with peace and hope. This joy is a reflection of our salvation, secured in Christ, and is a constant reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises.
Furthermore, we discussed the joy found in God's presence and in following Him. Jesus' teachings, particularly during the Last Supper, emphasize the fullness of joy that comes from abiding in Him and living out His commandments, especially the command to love one another. This joy is a guiding light through life's storms, an anchor in turbulent times, and a vibrant expression of hope and peace.
Finally, we considered the eternal joy that awaits believers, a joy that surpasses all earthly pleasures and is a foretaste of the heavenly joy to come. This eternal perspective allows us to find joy even in trials, knowing that our ultimate joy is secure in Christ and that we are beloved children of God.
Key Takeaways:
1. Joy as a Divine Gift: Joy is a divine gift from God, available to all people regardless of their circumstances. It is not dependent on our achievements or status but is a result of the Holy Spirit's work within us, producing a fruit that transcends earthly experiences. [16:40]
2. Joy Amidst Life's Challenges: Life's challenges, such as grief and disappointment, do not diminish God's joy. This joy is deeply intertwined with His grace, mercy, and love, providing us with peace and hope even in difficult times. [19:31]
3. Joy in God's Presence: Abiding in God's presence and following His commandments, especially the command to love, brings fullness of joy. This joy is a guiding light through life's storms and an anchor in turbulent times. [27:12]
4. Eternal Joy Awaits Believers: The joy that awaits believers in eternity surpasses all earthly pleasures. This eternal perspective allows us to find joy even in trials, knowing that our ultimate joy is secure in Christ. [42:45]
5. Joy in Salvation: Our joy is rooted in the certainty of our salvation through Christ. This joy is not manufactured by our efforts but is a reflection of God's faithfulness and love, reminding us that we are beloved children of God. [22:52]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:00] - Introduction to Joy
- [05:30] - Destination Disease of Joy
- [10:00] - The Gift of Joy in Luke 2
- [16:40] - Joy as a Divine Gift
- [19:31] - Joy Amidst Life's Challenges
- [22:52] - Joy in Salvation
- [27:12] - Joy in God's Presence
- [30:12] - God's Joy at Christmas and Good Friday
- [35:11] - Joy in Ministry and Trials
- [40:36] - Joy in Suffering
- [42:45] - Eternal Joy Awaits Believers
- [45:23] - Joy in Heaven
- [46:07] - Releasing Joy
- [46:57] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Gift of Joy
Bible Reading:
- Luke 2:8-20
- Galatians 5:22
- John 15:11
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Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 2:8-20, how did the shepherds initially react to the angel's message, and what was the significance of their response? [17:31]
2. According to Galatians 5:22, what is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and joy? How is this reflected in the sermon? [19:31]
3. What does John 15:11 say about the fullness of joy, and how does this relate to Jesus' teachings during the Last Supper? [27:12]
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of "destination disease" in relation to joy? [16:40]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is the joy described in Luke 2 considered a divine gift, and how does it differ from worldly happiness? [17:31]
2. How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in producing joy within believers, as mentioned in Galatians 5:22? [19:31]
3. In what ways does abiding in God's presence, as described in John 15:11, lead to a fullness of joy? How is this different from temporary happiness? [27:12]
4. How does the sermon suggest believers can experience joy amidst life's challenges, such as grief or disappointment? [19:31]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced "destination disease" with joy. How can you shift your perspective to find joy in the present moment? [16:40]
2. The sermon mentions that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. What practical steps can you take to cultivate this fruit in your daily life? [19:31]
3. How can you remain in God's presence throughout your day to experience the fullness of joy described in John 15:11? What specific practices might help you with this? [27:12]
4. Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you find joy in this situation by focusing on God's grace, mercy, and love? [19:31]
5. The sermon highlights the eternal joy that awaits believers. How does this perspective influence your current view of trials and difficulties? [42:45]
6. Consider the role of community in experiencing joy. How can you support others in your small group to find joy in their lives? [33:50]
7. Reflect on the joy of salvation mentioned in the sermon. How does this assurance impact your daily life and interactions with others? [22:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy as a Divine Gift
The joy that God offers is a profound and transformative gift, not contingent on our achievements or status. It is a divine gift available to all people, regardless of their circumstances. This joy is a result of the Holy Spirit's work within us, producing a fruit that transcends earthly experiences. The story of the shepherds in Luke 2 illustrates this beautifully, as they were the first to receive the good news of great joy, despite being ordinary and marginalized. This joy is inclusive and available to everyone, reminding us that it is not dependent on external factors but is deeply rooted in our relationship with God. [16:40]
"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." (1 Peter 1:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a situation in your life where you have been seeking joy through external achievements. How can you shift your focus to embrace the divine joy that God offers, regardless of your circumstances?
Day 2: Joy Amidst Life's Challenges
Life is filled with challenges such as grief, illness, and disappointment, but these do not diminish the joy that God provides. This joy is deeply intertwined with His grace, mercy, and love, offering us peace and hope even in difficult times. It is a steadfast joy that remains constant, reflecting our salvation and God's faithfulness to His promises. In moments of hardship, this joy serves as a reminder of God's unwavering presence and love, providing us with the strength to endure and find peace amidst life's storms. [19:31]
"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 recent challenge you have faced. How can you invite God's joy into this situation, allowing it to provide you with peace and hope despite the difficulties?
Day 3: Joy in God's Presence
Abiding in God's presence and following His commandments, especially the command to love, brings fullness of joy. This joy is a guiding light through life's storms and an anchor in turbulent times. Jesus' teachings, particularly during the Last Supper, emphasize the joy that comes from living out His commandments and loving one another. This joy is not only a reflection of our relationship with God but also a vibrant expression of hope and peace that sustains us through life's challenges. [27:12]
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your daily routine. How can you intentionally create space to abide in God's presence and experience the fullness of joy that comes from following His commandments?
Day 4: Eternal Joy Awaits Believers
The joy that awaits believers in eternity surpasses all earthly pleasures. This eternal perspective allows us to find joy even in trials, knowing that our ultimate joy is secure in Christ. As beloved children of God, we are assured of a future filled with joy that transcends our current experiences. This eternal joy serves as a foretaste of the heavenly joy to come, providing us with hope and encouragement as we navigate the challenges of life. [42:45]
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: How does the promise of eternal joy influence your perspective on current trials? What steps can you take to keep this eternal perspective at the forefront of your mind?
Day 5: Joy in Salvation
Our joy is rooted in the certainty of our salvation through Christ. This joy is not manufactured by our efforts but is a reflection of God's faithfulness and love, reminding us that we are beloved children of God. It is a joy that is intertwined with His grace and mercy, providing us with peace and hope. As we reflect on our salvation, we are reminded of the profound love and faithfulness of God, which serves as the foundation for our joy. [22:52]
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." (Psalm 51:12, ESV)
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on your salvation. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of joy rooted in the assurance of your salvation and God's faithfulness in your life?
Quotes
And so, Lord, we lean into Your Word today and we ask You to restore the joy of Your salvation. Restore that joy once again. Let us come into that living waters of Your Spirit that is alive and there's life and there's joy. God, bring that in our hearts and minds today, we pray. In Jesus' name, amen. [00:11:55] (18 seconds)
And I think if you ever suffer from that destination disease of joy or circumstantial joy I want you to kind of realize that maybe discovering today is that you're deciding not to have joy for joy is there available you every place every situation every circumstance you're not going to have joy all the time it's just that we don't take hold of it we don't use the gift. [00:12:34] (37 seconds)
It is a divine gift from God, joy. Again, verse 10, The angels have said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy. Great joy. Jesus comes into the world, and it's a time of joy. It's a time of celebration. A heaven announcing, heaven is celebrating with the angels as Jesus is born. [00:16:40] (24 seconds)
And God comes to wherever we are in our life and to our darkest pits with this great joy, a light of hope, a hope that gives peace. It's abundant joy, never ending. Joy is not something that we just rally ourselves up to, that we get some emotional thing and emotionalism that we then just put a stamp on and call it Jesus. It's a gift. [00:19:31] (26 seconds)
And in that intertwining of this gift, there is peace, there is hope, there is a positive outlook on life that brings joy. There is a deep-seated well-being in our soul that even in hardships and difficulties we still have this joy. How can we have such joy? B, is that we have joy from our salvation that's been secured in Christ. [00:19:56] (30 seconds)
That joy to salvation is so much more for us because we know what that child did. We know where he went. He went to a cross. He took upon our sins. He was the Lamb of God that was slain for us, who came to take away those sins and sacrifice his life that we could have life. God kept his word. [00:22:13] (22 seconds)
The joy we have is because it's not manufactured out of some pleasure or works of ourselves that we take pride in, but it's found again and again in the certainty of Christ. That He is truly the Son of God that was born for us, who took our place and has secured our salvation. In fact, the Hebrews writer says He is the author and the perfecter, of our faith. [00:23:51] (27 seconds)
And what else we know about joy is eternal joy awaits believers. Eternal joy awaits believers. You happy yet? He's got to get there. He's got to get all out. Get the nitrous, man. But eternal joy awaits believers. So I was talking to this lady who's got cancer, and in a conversation she said, people think I'm weird. Like, I'm okay if I die. I'm really okay. If this is the end, I'm okay. [00:42:34] (36 seconds)
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