Embracing the Joy of Salvation and Evangelism
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound joy that comes from salvation, both for the saved and those who witness it. We began by sharing a touching story about a Jewish man who reached out to our church in a time of need, seeking both financial help and spiritual guidance. This encounter reminded us of God's providence and the importance of being ready to share the gospel at any moment. We then delved into Luke 15, examining the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. These parables illustrate the immense value God places on each individual and His relentless pursuit to bring the lost back to Him.
We discussed the progression and consistency within these parables, noting how they highlight different aspects of being lost and found. The lost sheep represents foolishness, the lost coin signifies carelessness, and the prodigal son embodies willfulness. Each story underscores God's unwavering love and the joy that comes from repentance and reconciliation. We also touched on the cultural context of honor and shame, emphasizing how Jesus flipped societal norms by seeking shame on the cross to grant us life and honor.
The joy of salvation extends beyond the individual to the witnesses, the evangelists, and even to God Himself. We reflected on how sharing our faith can bring immense joy, not just to the person receiving the message but also to those who share it. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and this joy is a continuous cycle that fuels our spiritual lives. We concluded by encouraging everyone to embrace the joy of salvation and to share it with others, thereby bringing joy to heaven itself.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Relentless Pursuit: The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son illustrate God's relentless pursuit of each individual. He values every soul immensely and rejoices when even one sinner repents. This shows us that no one is beyond God's reach, and His love is unconditional and persistent. [10:38]
2. The Joy of Salvation: Salvation brings profound joy not only to the saved but also to those who witness it. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and this joy is a continuous cycle that fuels our spiritual lives. When we see others come to Christ, it reaffirms our faith and brings us immense happiness. [19:54]
3. Humility and Joy: The amount of joy we receive is directly proportional to the amount of humility we express. The prodigal son's return to his father, marked by humility, resulted in immense joy and celebration. True joy in salvation comes when we empty ourselves of pride and allow God to fill us with His grace. [34:47]
4. The Power of Evangelism: Sharing our faith is one of the most fulfilling acts we can engage in. It brings joy to the evangelist, the witnesses, and even to God. The act of sharing the gospel, even if it doesn't immediately result in conversion, is a source of great joy and spiritual fulfillment. [37:42]
5. Heaven's Rejoicing: There is great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents. This heavenly joy underscores the importance of each individual soul and the collective celebration that occurs when someone turns to Christ. It reminds us that our efforts in evangelism have eternal significance. [43:05]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:21] - Introduction and Personal Story
[02:47] - Encounter with a Jewish Man
[04:05] - Jews for Jesus Connection
[05:29] - God's Timing and Prayer
[06:55] - Congregational Prayer
[09:08] - Finding Joy in Salvation
[10:38] - Parables of the Lost
[11:56] - Understanding Parables
[13:29] - The Power of Stories
[15:01] - Progression in Parables
[16:27] - Consistency in Parables
[18:09] - God's Joy in Us
[19:54] - The Joy of the Lord
[21:28] - Honor vs. Shame
[22:55] - Cultural Context
[24:30] - Pharisees and Sinners
[26:13] - Joy for Different People
[27:42] - Lost from Foolishness
[29:06] - Lost from Carelessness
[31:54] - Lost from Willfulness
[33:22] - Humility and Joy
[34:47] - Joy of Salvation
[36:17] - Joy for Witnesses
[37:42] - Joy for Evangelists
[38:59] - Evangelism Stories
[40:21] - Sharing Joy
[41:44] - Joy for the Lord
[43:05] - Invitation and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 15:1-7 - Parable of the Lost Sheep
2. Luke 15:8-10 - Parable of the Lost Coin
3. Luke 15:11-32 - Parable of the Prodigal Son
#### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the lost sheep, what does the shepherd do when he realizes one sheep is missing? (Luke 15:4-6)
2. How does the woman react when she finds her lost coin in the parable of the lost coin? (Luke 15:9)
3. What are the three different ways people can be "lost" as illustrated by the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son? (Luke 15:4-32)
4. How does the father in the parable of the prodigal son respond when his son returns home? (Luke 15:20-24)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What do the actions of the shepherd, the woman, and the father in these parables reveal about God's character and His pursuit of the lost? (Luke 15:4-32)
2. How does the cultural context of honor and shame enhance our understanding of the father's reaction in the parable of the prodigal son? (Luke 15:20-24) [21:28]
3. Why is there joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, and how does this reflect the value God places on each individual? (Luke 15:7, 10) [10:38]
4. How does humility play a role in experiencing the joy of salvation, as seen in the prodigal son's return? (Luke 15:18-19) [34:47]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt lost due to foolishness, carelessness, or willfulness. How did you find your way back, and what role did God play in that process? [27:42]
2. The sermon emphasized the joy of salvation not just for the saved but also for the witnesses and evangelists. How can you actively share your faith to bring joy to others and yourself? [37:42]
3. The father in the parable of the prodigal son showed immense humility and love. How can you demonstrate similar humility and love in your relationships, especially with those who may have wronged you? [33:22]
4. The joy of the Lord is described as a continuous cycle that fuels our spiritual lives. What practical steps can you take to maintain and share this joy in your daily life? [19:54]
5. Consider the cultural context of honor and shame discussed in the sermon. How can you apply the principle of seeking humility over honor in your personal and professional life? [21:28]
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of being ready to share the gospel at any moment. How can you prepare yourself to seize opportunities to share your faith, even in unexpected situations? [02:47]
7. Reflect on the story of the Jewish man who reached out to the church. How can you be more attentive and responsive to the needs of those around you, both spiritually and materially? [02:47]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Relentless Pursuit
God's love is relentless and unconditional, as illustrated by the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Each parable highlights a different aspect of being lost and found: the lost sheep represents foolishness, the lost coin signifies carelessness, and the prodigal son embodies willfulness. Despite these differences, the common thread is God's unwavering pursuit of each individual. He values every soul immensely and rejoices when even one sinner repents. This shows us that no one is beyond God's reach, and His love is persistent and unconditional. [10:38]
Ezekiel 34:11-12 (ESV): "For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt lost or distant from God. How did you experience His relentless pursuit and love during that period?
Day 2: The Joy of Salvation
Salvation brings profound joy not only to the saved but also to those who witness it. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and this joy is a continuous cycle that fuels our spiritual lives. When we see others come to Christ, it reaffirms our faith and brings us immense happiness. This joy is not just a fleeting emotion but a deep, abiding sense of fulfillment and purpose that comes from knowing and sharing God's love. [19:54]
Isaiah 12:3-4 (ESV): "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: 'Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.'"
Reflection: Recall a moment when you witnessed someone coming to faith in Christ. How did that experience impact your own faith and joy?
Day 3: Humility and Joy
The amount of joy we receive is directly proportional to the amount of humility we express. The prodigal son's return to his father, marked by humility, resulted in immense joy and celebration. True joy in salvation comes when we empty ourselves of pride and allow God to fill us with His grace. Humility opens the door for God's transformative work in our lives, leading to a deeper, more authentic joy. [34:47]
James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where pride has taken root. How can you practice humility in that area today to experience God's joy more fully?
Day 4: The Power of Evangelism
Sharing our faith is one of the most fulfilling acts we can engage in. It brings joy to the evangelist, the witnesses, and even to God. The act of sharing the gospel, even if it doesn't immediately result in conversion, is a source of great joy and spiritual fulfillment. Evangelism is not just about the outcome but about the obedience and faithfulness in sharing God's love with others. [37:42]
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to hear the gospel. How can you share your faith with them in a gentle and respectful way this week?
Day 5: Heaven's Rejoicing
There is great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents. This heavenly joy underscores the importance of each individual soul and the collective celebration that occurs when someone turns to Christ. It reminds us that our efforts in evangelism have eternal significance. Every act of sharing the gospel contributes to the joy in heaven and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. [43:05]
Luke 15:10 (ESV): "Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Reflection: Reflect on the eternal significance of your efforts in sharing the gospel. How does knowing that heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents motivate you to be more active in evangelism?
Quotes
1. "We can see God's hand working through all of these trials in our life. And this week was no exception to that. I was on Wednesday of this past week, the Church received a phone call and Mary Ann number two, is what we called her. Mary Ann Benner, in case you're wondering who that might be. We call her Mary Ann too and Mary Ann Riggleman, we call her the real Mary Ann. So that's our little pet nicknames for them." [01:21] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I said, you know, you're Jewish, but we serve the same God. We worship the same God. The only difference between you and me is that we believe that Jesus is the Messiah. So I was able to share with him a little bit. And he said to me, he goes, look, there was a guy in Chicago who was from this organization called Jews for Jesus. How many of you ever heard of this organization, Jews for Jesus?" [03:25] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I know, shocker, right? I was crying. And I kept telling myself, Michael, pull it together. You don't want to act like a blubbering fool in front of a stranger. But I did. I was crying through that because I could see God's hand at work. A few weeks ago, I talked about the little way that God's reminding me and reminding us that he is real and that he is in control." [05:29] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So a couple weeks ago, we talked about finding joy in our trials. Last week, we talked about finding joy in our prayer, and both of those things happened to me this week. I don't know if they did for you. I found joy in both of those things. So today, we're talking about finding joy through salvation, and even this story that I brought to you, I'm going to read it to you." [09:08] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus spoke in parables because he knew we would pay attention. We love stories. So we pay attention when we hear a story. Jesus spoke this way because he knew it would stand the test of time. And let's prove it. How many of us have heard these parables before? Raise your hand. Yeah. For some 2000 odd years, Jesus has told these and we understand them today. It transcends barriers. It transcends cultures." [15:01] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The joy of the Lord is our strength. When Ezra read the law and the Israelites wept over their breaking of the law, Nehemiah said in chapter eight, verse 10, go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared. For this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow for the joy of the Lord is your strength. That's our strength today. The joy of the Lord is our strength this morning." [19:54] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The joy that you receive is directly proportional to the amount of humility that you express. Psalm 51, verse 12 and 17. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me by your generous spirit. Verse 17, the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart. These, oh God, you will not despise. In fact, I would say that you can't experience the joy of salvation without humility." [34:47] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The joy that comes from Christ is joy that lasts for an eternity. The joy that comes from this world lasts but a moment. Don't fill yourself up with this world. Fill yourself up with the joy that only comes from Christ and his salvation. So not only does salvation bring joy to the saved, salvation brings joy to the witnesses. We see this in the parable of the sheep, the coin, and the prodigal son." [35:42] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Sharing our faith is one of the scariest things we can do, but it's worth every minute of it because it brings joy into our life. First John 1.4 says this. We write this to make our joy complete. John said that writing the gospel to people brought him joy. He backed it up in 3 John 1.4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in faith. It's very clear. John finds joy in telling others about the gospel of Christ." [37:42] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If you want joy in your life, find someone who doesn't know the Lord and tell them about Jesus. Truly, honestly, if you want joy in your life, tell someone about Jesus. That's all you have to do. You will find joy. So, salvation brings joy to the saved. It brings joy to the witness. It brings joy to the evangelist. And finally, salvation brings joy to the Lord." [40:21] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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