Embracing Joy: Purpose, Community, and Service

Devotional

Day 1: Joy as a Calling and Purpose

Joy is not merely an emotion but a calling that gives our lives meaning and direction. It is the pursuit of God's kingdom and His will in our lives that brings true joy. This joy is deeply connected to our sense of purpose and mission, as illustrated in Isaiah 35, where the redeemed return to Zion with everlasting joy. Joy is something we actively bring into our lives and communities, especially in challenging times. It is not dependent on our circumstances but on our alignment with God's purpose for us.

In Isaiah 35, the prophet speaks of a time when the redeemed will return to Zion with everlasting joy. This joy is not fleeting but eternal, transcending the ups and downs of life. It is a joy that comes from knowing we are fulfilling God's purpose and living out His will. This kind of joy brings a sense of direction and meaning to our lives, guiding us through even the most difficult times. [03:10]

Isaiah 35:10 (ESV): "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."

Reflection: How can you actively pursue God's purpose in your life today to experience this everlasting joy?

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Day 2: Community and Shared Experiences

Joy often emerges from shared experiences and community, especially in times of adversity. The story of a vacation where everything went wrong but ended with a miraculous encounter with dolphins highlights how joy can be found in unexpected places and through communal experiences. When we face challenges together, we find strength and joy in our shared journey.

Community is a vital source of joy, as it allows us to share our burdens and celebrate our victories together. Even in the midst of adversity, the support and companionship of others can bring unexpected moments of joy. The story of the vacation illustrates how, despite the challenges, the shared experience and the miraculous encounter with dolphins brought a profound sense of joy. This joy is a testament to the power of community and the unexpected ways God can bring joy into our lives. [40:06]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did the support of your community help you find joy in that situation?

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Day 3: Service and Noble Purpose

Aristotle's concept of "eudaimonia," or noble purpose, aligns with the biblical call to serve others. True joy comes from engaging in noble endeavors that give our lives meaning, such as the community garden in Baltimore or the volunteers at the New Life Thrift Shop. This service-oriented joy is deeply fulfilling and transformative.

Engaging in service to others is a powerful way to experience joy. When we dedicate ourselves to noble purposes, we find a deeper sense of fulfillment and meaning. The community garden in Baltimore and the volunteers at the New Life Thrift Shop are examples of how serving others can bring profound joy. This joy is not just about feeling good but about knowing that our actions are making a positive impact on the world around us. [45:37]

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Reflection: What is one way you can serve others this week to experience the joy that comes from a noble purpose?

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Day 4: Jesus' Command to Love

Jesus' command to love one another as He has loved us is the foundation of true joy. This love is not just an emotion but an active pursuit of the well-being of others. It is a joy that is complete and boundless, transcending circumstances and bringing light into the world.

The command to love one another is central to the Christian faith and the source of true joy. This love is not passive but active, seeking the well-being of others in tangible ways. When we love as Jesus loved, we experience a joy that is complete and boundless. This joy transcends our circumstances and brings light into the world, reflecting the love of Christ to those around us. [51:44]

John 15:12-13 (ESV): "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

Reflection: How can you actively show love to someone in your life today, following Jesus' command?

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Day 5: Communion as a Daily Practice

Communion is not just a ritual but a daily practice of remembering our purpose and calling. Every meal can be a moment of communion with God, a time to reflect on our mission and the joy that comes from serving others. This daily practice of communion helps us stay connected to our purpose and brings joy into our everyday lives.

Communion is a powerful reminder of our connection to God and our purpose in life. It is not limited to a ritual performed in church but can be a daily practice. Every meal can be an opportunity to commune with God, to remember our calling, and to reflect on the joy that comes from serving others. This daily practice helps us stay grounded in our purpose and brings a sense of joy and fulfillment to our everyday lives. [57:46]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

Reflection: How can you incorporate a moment of communion with God into your daily routine to stay connected to your purpose and experience joy?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Welcome to Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Today, we focus on the fruit of the Spirit, specifically joy, as we draw from Isaiah 35. This chapter speaks of a time when the redeemed will return to Zion with everlasting joy, a joy that transcends circumstances and brings purpose to our lives. We are reminded that joy is not something that happens to us but something we bring into our lives and communities, especially in challenging times.

We reflect on the importance of community and the joy that comes from shared experiences, even in adversity. The story of a vacation where everything went wrong but ended with a miraculous encounter with dolphins illustrates how joy often emerges from unexpected places. Similarly, the joy of serving others, as seen in the community garden in Baltimore or the volunteers at the New Life Thrift Shop, shows that joy is deeply connected to purpose and service.

Aristotle's concept of "eudaimonia," or noble purpose, aligns with the biblical call to pursue God's kingdom. This pursuit is not about achieving perfection but about engaging in a noble endeavor that gives our lives meaning. Jesus' command to love one another as He has loved us is the foundation of this joy, a joy that is complete and boundless.

As we gather for communion, we are reminded that every meal can be a moment of communion with God, a time to remember our purpose and calling. This joy is not just for us but for everyone around us. It is a joy that compels us to serve, to love, and to bring light into the world. As we march together towards Zion, let us embrace this joy and share it with our neighbors, ensuring that nothing can take it away from us.

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Key Takeaways

1. oriented joy is deeply fulfilling and transformative. [45:37]
4. Jesus' Command to Love: Jesus' command to love one another as He has loved us is the foundation of true joy. This love is not just an emotion but an active pursuit of the well-being of others. It is a joy that is complete and boundless, transcending circumstances and bringing light into the world.

5. Communion as a Daily Practice: Communion is not just a ritual but a daily practice of remembering our purpose and calling. Every meal can be a moment of communion with God, a time to reflect on our mission and the joy that comes from serving others. This daily practice of communion helps us stay connected to our purpose and brings joy into our everyday lives.

### [45:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:10] - Opening Prayer and Reflection
[20:28] - Announcements and Community Updates
[37:38] - Joy in Adversity
[40:06] - Memorable Vacations and Unexpected Joy
[45:37] - Noble Purpose and Service
[51:44] - Jesus' Command to Love
[57:46] - Communion as a Daily Practice
[73:07] - Closing Remarks and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Isaiah 35:10 say about the joy of the redeemed? How is this joy described?
According to the sermon, how does joy differ from happiness? ([38:34])
What story did the pastor share about a vacation that illustrated finding joy in unexpected places? ([40:06])
How does the concept of "eudaimonia" relate to the biblical understanding of joy and purpose? ([45:37])

Interpretation Questions

How does the joy described in Isaiah 35:10 compare to the joy we experience in our daily lives? What might be the differences or similarities?
The pastor mentioned that joy is something we bring into our lives and communities, especially in challenging times. How can this perspective change the way we approach difficult situations? ([38:34])
Reflect on the story of the community garden in Baltimore. How does serving others contribute to a deeper sense of joy and purpose? ([53:24])
Jesus' command to love one another as He has loved us is said to be the foundation of true joy. How does this command challenge our current understanding of love and joy? ([51:44])

Application Questions

Think of a recent challenging situation you faced. How could you have brought joy into that situation, as suggested in the sermon? ([38:34])
The pastor shared a story about a vacation where everything went wrong but ended with a miraculous encounter with dolphins. Can you recall a time when something unexpected brought you joy? How did that experience shape your understanding of joy? ([40:06])
Reflect on the concept of "eudaimonia" or noble purpose. What is one noble endeavor you feel called to pursue, and how can it bring joy to your life and others? ([45:37])
Jesus' command to love one another as He has loved us is foundational to experiencing true joy. Identify one person in your life whom you find difficult to love. What practical steps can you take this week to show them love? ([51:44])
The sermon emphasized the importance of community and shared experiences in finding joy. How can you actively participate in your community to foster shared joy, especially in times of adversity? ([38:34])
Communion was described as a daily practice of remembering our purpose and calling. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily routine to stay connected to your purpose and bring joy into your everyday life? ([57:46])
The pastor mentioned the joy of serving others, as seen in the volunteers at the New Life Thrift Shop. What is one way you can serve your community this month, and how do you think it will impact your sense of joy and purpose? ([55:12])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Joy does not happen to us. Joy is what we bring as, particularly, as followers of Jesus, the Christ." [38:34] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What makes us happy, what makes us truly joyful, Aristotle came up with this word. Let's see if I can get it, Sandy. Eudaimonia, I think. Eudaimonia. That's it. Eudaimonia is the word he came up with. A noble purpose is what it translates into. That's what makes us joyful and happy. A reason to be. An answer to the question, I was born for this." [46:21] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "America needs a little joy right now. Our community needs a little joy. And I'm here to tell you here we are. Not just in the church but around the church." [52:52] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "One of the things that's so interesting, we talk about fruit of the spirit and gifts and this joy manifests in all kinds of different ways. So I want to leave you as we prepare to come to this table. As you prepare to think not only about every morsel of food that passes your lips or every swallow of caffeine goodness as a reminder that God has created and launched and called you for a purpose and that purpose is life and a joy that never ends not just for you but for everyone around you." [59:17] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God has spread us like a banquet feast for a world thirsty and hungry, ready for someone to plant a garden. So I am joyful. I am hopeful. This fourth. I look forward more and more to linking arms together with neighbors whom God has provided around me. Neighbors like you who won't let the devil take my joy. Together, we're marching to Zion." [01:00:18] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "In our communities, in our nations, this is where we dig for joy. Joy does not happen to us. Joy is what we bring as, particularly, as followers of Jesus, the Christ." [38:34] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What makes for a memory maker of a vacation is something going catastrophically wrong, and the vacation somehow goes on, not in spite of what goes wrong, but many times because of what goes wrong. We love telling a story about taking our joy." [40:54] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "One of the extraordinary things about pursuing the kingdom, the basileia, the realm, the will of God, about answering the call of God is it never ends. Not even death ends it. And who knows what happens after death. But it never stops us. Our joy knows no bounds. Our joy in Christ runs with reckless abandon." [52:17] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "One of the things Vicki shared with me was a group called Weavers. Community Weavers. And one of the things do you remember when who was it? George H.W. Bush was talking about a thousand points of light. Do you remember that? Does anybody remember that? And that's the that's sort of the the image that they use is these lights bursting forth in communities." [53:24] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "One of the things I love about living in this community is none of the retired people got the memo that you're supposed to retire. Like I remember when I went to the New Life Thrift Shop and I was like where'd all these volunteers come from? And they were like well why don't you go meet them? And so then I started meeting people who were working tirelessly multiple days a week to sort through clothing and to push things through and people in their 70s and people in their 80s and like aren't you supposed to rest or something like that? You talk about people driven by a passion driven by a pursuit that God's kingdom will come." [55:12] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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