Embracing Joy: Trusting God's Promises and Timing
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound theme of joy and the obstacles that often prevent us from experiencing it fully, as illustrated through the biblical narrative of Abraham and Sarah. We delved into Genesis chapters 16 and 21, where the complexities of faith, promise, and fulfillment are vividly portrayed.
We began by acknowledging the universal desire to live a life filled with joy, a promise that is both a gift from God and a fruit of the Spirit. However, joy can be elusive and often feels just out of reach due to various life circumstances. This led us into a discussion about the nature of God's promises, emphasizing that despite our imperfections and mistakes, God's grace remains sufficient and accessible to all who are willing to receive it.
The story of Abraham and Sarah serves as a powerful example of enduring faith amidst doubt and delay. Despite their advanced age and Sarah's barrenness, God promised them a son. This promise seemed impossible, and indeed, both Abraham and Sarah struggled with doubt. Sarah's initial response was to take matters into her own hands, leading Abraham to father a child with Hagar, her servant. This decision, made out of impatience and lack of faith, brought temporary satisfaction but ultimately led to strife and complexity in their family.
As we navigated through their story, we identified three key joy stealers: listening to ungodly counsel, self-doubt, and the refusal to take steps of faith. Each of these can drain us of the joy that God intends for us. For instance, Abraham's decision to heed Sarah's advice, rather than waiting on God's timing, resulted in significant personal and relational turmoil.
However, the narrative does not end in despair. God, in His grace, continued to affirm His promise to Abraham, and ultimately, Sarah did conceive and bear Isaac, the child of promise. This fulfillment occurred precisely at the time God had ordained, underscoring the truth that God's plans are not thwarted by our failures or delays.
This story not only highlights the importance of patience and faith but also serves as a reminder of the joy that comes from trusting in God's timing and promises. It encourages us to persevere through doubts and to actively participate in the faith journey, even when the path seems unclear.
Key Takeaways:
1. Joy is a Gift and a Choice: Joy, as a divine gift, requires our active participation to be fully realized in our lives. We must choose to embrace joy, guarding it against the thieves of discontent and comparison, which can so easily entangle us. [02:13]
2. The Danger of Impatience: Sarah's impatience led to a decision that brought temporary relief but long-term pain. This teaches us the value of waiting on God's timing, which is always perfect, even when it seems delayed from our human perspective. [08:55]
3. God's Promises are Sure: Despite Abraham and Sarah's doubts and the complexity of their circumstances, God's promise remained steadfast. This encourages us to hold onto God's promises, even when they seem impossible by human standards. [19:44]
4. Grace in Our Failures: God did not abandon Abraham despite his repeated failures. This exemplifies the depth of God's grace—He pursues us and fulfills His promises, not because of our perfection, but because of His great love and faithfulness. [15:02]
5. Steps of Faith are Necessary: The fulfillment of God's promises often requires action on our part—a step of faith. Just as Sarah eventually had to believe and act on God's promise, we too are called to move in faith, trusting that God will meet us in our obedience. [25:33]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:13] - Introduction to Joy and God's Promises
- [02:59] - The Reality of Joy Stealers
- [05:01] - The Story of Abraham and Sarah
- [07:06] - Listening to Ungodly Counsel
- [10:57] - The Consequences of Impatience
- [15:02] - God's Unchanging Promise
- [19:44] - The Fulfillment of God's Promise
- [25:33] - Taking Steps of Faith
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 16:1-5 - The story of Sarah, Hagar, and Abraham's decision to have a child through Hagar.
2. Genesis 21:1-7 - The fulfillment of God's promise with the birth of Isaac.
3. Hebrews 11:11 - Sarah's faith in God's promise despite her initial doubt.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Sarah's initial reaction to God's promise of a child, and what action did she take as a result? ([08:55])
2. How did Abraham respond to Sarah's suggestion to have a child with Hagar? ([08:55])
3. What was the outcome of Sarah's decision to have Abraham father a child with Hagar? ([13:07])
4. How did God reaffirm His promise to Abraham and Sarah despite their doubts and actions? ([15:02])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the story of Abraham and Sarah teach us about the consequences of impatience and taking matters into our own hands? ([08:55])
2. How does God's continued pursuit of Abraham and Sarah, despite their failures, illustrate the concept of grace? ([15:02])
3. In what ways does self-doubt affect our ability to experience joy and trust in God's promises? ([21:24])
4. How does taking steps of faith, even when the outcome seems impossible, play a role in the fulfillment of God's promises? ([25:33])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when impatience led you to make a decision that brought temporary relief but long-term consequences. How can you apply the lesson of waiting on God's timing in your current situation? ([08:55])
2. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with self-doubt. How can you remind yourself of God's promises and His ability to work through your weaknesses? ([21:24])
3. Think of a promise from God that you find hard to believe or wait for. What steps of faith can you take to actively trust in that promise? ([25:33])
4. How can you guard your joy against the "joy stealers" mentioned in the sermon, such as listening to ungodly counsel and self-doubt? ([07:06])
5. Share a personal experience where you felt God's grace despite your failures. How did that experience change your perspective on God's love and faithfulness? ([15:02])
6. What practical steps can you take this week to actively seek joy, even in challenging circumstances? ([02:13])
7. How can you support someone in your life who is struggling with doubt or impatience, helping them to see and trust in God's promises? ([19:44])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Joy as a Divine Gift and Choice
Joy is not merely an emotion; it is a divine gift that requires our active participation to fully experience. It is essential to recognize that joy, while a blessing from God, also demands our conscious effort to maintain and cultivate it in our lives. This involves making deliberate choices to focus on the positives, even in challenging circumstances, and to resist the entanglements of discontent and comparison. These joy stealers can subtly invade our thoughts and rob us of the peace and happiness that God intends for us. By choosing joy, we align ourselves with God's purposes and find strength in His presence. [02:13]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: What specific situation in your life today can you choose to approach with joy instead of discontent or comparison?
Day 2: The Perils of Impatience
Impatience can lead us to make premature decisions that might provide temporary relief but result in long-term pain and regret. This was evident in Sarah's decision to take matters into her own hands, which brought complexity and strife into her family. Waiting on God's timing is crucial, as His plans unfold not only to fulfill His promises but also to develop patience and faith within us. Embracing God's timing allows us to experience His promises fully and teaches us valuable lessons in trust and surrender. [08:55]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Can you identify a time when impatience led to a hasty decision in your life? How might waiting on God have changed the outcome?
Day 3: Holding Fast to God's Unfailing Promises
God's promises are a cornerstone of our faith; they are steadfast and unchanging, even when circumstances make them seem impossible. Abraham and Sarah's story reminds us that despite human doubts and the complexities of life, God's promises hold true. This assurance should bolster our faith and encourage us to cling to His word, trusting that what He has declared will indeed come to pass. This trust in God's promises not only strengthens our faith but also brings peace in the midst of uncertainty. [19:44]
Isaiah 55:11 (ESV): "So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Reflection: What promise of God do you need to hold onto more firmly during this season of your life?
Day 4: Experiencing Grace in Our Failures
Our failures are not the end of our story; they are often where God's grace shines brightest. Abraham's repeated failures did not disqualify him from God's promises or His grace. Instead, they highlighted the depth of God's love and faithfulness. This teaches us that our imperfections are not obstacles to God's plans but opportunities for His grace to be displayed. Embracing this truth can free us from the fear of failure and motivate us to live boldly for God, knowing that His grace is sufficient for us. [15:02]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: How can you lean into God's grace in a current area of weakness or failure in your life?
Day 5: The Necessity of Steps of Faith
The fulfillment of God's promises often requires us to take active steps of faith. Just as Sarah eventually had to believe and act on God's promise, we too are called to move forward in faith, trusting that God will meet us in our obedience. These steps of faith may be daunting, but they are essential for growth and for experiencing the fullness of God's plans for our lives. Each step we take in obedience not only brings us closer to the realization of His promises but also deepens our relationship with Him. [25:33]
Philippians 2:13 (ESV): "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: What step of faith is God calling you to take today, and how can you begin to move forward in obedience?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I am where I am today, not because I held on to Jesus, but because Jesus held on to me. I am where I am today, not because I pursued the Lord, but because the Lord pursued me. Somebody needs to hear that today. The Lord is pursuing you. And the reason he's pursuing you is to let you know you have not gone too far. You have not failed beyond help. You're not a loser. You're not pathetic. I still have a plan for your life. There's still hope for you. You can still have joy." [16:49]
2. "Joy is always available. It's a gift from God and a fruit of the Spirit that we have inside of us. But we must be intentional in seeking joy, or the enemy will work to destroy it. How many of you know that's true?" [02:13]
3. "God's amazing grace is not just for some people. It's for all people if we're willing to receive it. See, that's the key. Are we willing to receive it?" [05:01]
4. "The entire premise of Christianity is based on the fact that a dead man came back to life. Nothing is impossible, including your situation. Nothing is anything too hard for the Lord." [22:57]
### Quotes for Members
1. "God gives us certain promises, right? Like, there are promises that God makes to every one of us. Things like, I will never leave you, I will never forsake you, I will never abandon you. Those are good promises." [01:13]
2. "The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. Even though she doubted, even though she disbelieved, even though she tried to go into another direction, she kept the word. Listen, God worked through all of that junk. And if God could work through all of her junk, God can work through all of our junk as well." [26:05]
3. "Your miracle, your breakthrough is going to happen at just the time God said it would. Listen to me. You are not powerful enough to stop the work of God in this planet. You're not. If God said it, God's going to do it." [27:03]
4. "God pursued Abraham. God pursued Sarah. And they took one step of faith, and God brought about the miracle. And if he did it for them, and he's done it for me, he'll do it for you. It's called Amazing Grace." [28:27]
5. "When we listen to people who do not listen to Jesus, we can lose our joy. Don't take that statement too far. Because you'll meet some Christians. I don't know if you ever heard this before, but some Christians are so heavenly minded, they're no earthly good." [07:06]
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