Eternal Joy: Assurance of Our Heavenly Citizenship

 

Summary

In reflecting on the passage from Luke 10:20, the focus is on the profound joy that comes from knowing our names are written in heaven, rather than rejoicing in earthly successes or spiritual victories. The disciples returned to Jesus, elated that even the spirits were subject to them. While this was a cause for joy, Jesus redirected their focus to a deeper, more enduring joy—the assurance of their eternal place in heaven. This redirection is not a rebuke of their initial joy but a call to prioritize the eternal over the temporal.

The joy of success in ministry, while valid, can easily lead to pride and self-exaltation. Human nature tends to emphasize personal achievements, often forgetting that all success is through the power of Jesus' name. This joy, if unchecked, can become a source of spiritual danger, leading to self-reliance rather than dependence on God. Moreover, success in ministry is not necessarily an indicator of personal grace or salvation. Even those who perform great works in Jesus' name may not truly know Him, as illustrated by Judas and others who were outwardly successful but inwardly lost.

True joy, the kind that Jesus encourages, is rooted in the assurance of our salvation and our identity as God's chosen people. This joy is not dependent on external circumstances or achievements but is a steadfast assurance of our place in God's eternal kingdom. It is a joy that can withstand trials, temptations, and even death, because it is anchored in the unchanging promise of God.

This joy is inclusive, available to all believers regardless of their earthly status or abilities. It is a joy that unites all saints, from the bedridden to the active, in the shared assurance of their heavenly citizenship. It is a joy that grows from faith, not sight, and is nourished by the knowledge of God's eternal love and grace.

Key Takeaways:

- Prioritizing Eternal Joy: Earthly successes, even in spiritual matters, should not overshadow the profound joy of knowing our names are written in heaven. This eternal assurance is the true source of lasting joy and should be our primary focus. [04:47]

- Guarding Against Pride: Success in ministry can lead to pride if we forget that all achievements are through Christ. We must remain humble, recognizing that our gifts and successes are not indicators of personal virtue but of God's grace. [09:42]

- True Evidence of Grace: Spiritual gifts and successes are not evidence of grace. True assurance comes from a transformed life and a personal relationship with Jesus, not merely from outward achievements. [12:49]

- Inclusive Joy: The joy of knowing our names are written in heaven is available to all believers, regardless of their earthly status or abilities. This joy unites all saints in the shared assurance of their heavenly citizenship. [25:53]

- Joy in God's Sovereign Choice: Rejoicing in our heavenly citizenship is rooted in the understanding of God's sovereign choice and grace. This joy is a reflection of our identity as God's chosen people, secure in His eternal love. [29:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Joy in Heaven
- [00:29] - Correcting Natural Joy
- [00:58] - Joy in Spiritual Success
- [02:20] - Subordinate Joys
- [03:18] - Empowerment Despite Joy
- [04:47] - Rejoice in Heaven's Assurance
- [07:25] - Moderating Earthly Joy
- [11:33] - Joy Without Evidence of Grace
- [16:32] - Testing the Quality of Work
- [18:20] - Joy Beyond Earthly Success
- [22:58] - Joy in Trials and Death
- [25:38] - Joy in Faith and Assurance
- [29:33] - Citizenship in Heaven
- [40:00] - Jesus' Joy in Our Assurance

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 10:20

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific joy does Jesus encourage the disciples to focus on in Luke 10:20, and how does this differ from their initial source of joy? [04:47]

2. According to the sermon, what was the disciples' reaction upon returning to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to their joy? [01:51]

3. How does the sermon describe the potential danger of rejoicing in spiritual successes? [09:42]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between spiritual gifts and evidence of grace? [12:49]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does the sermon emphasize the importance of prioritizing eternal joy over earthly successes, and how might this perspective affect a believer's daily life? [04:47]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that pride can infiltrate ministry success, and how can believers guard against this? [09:42]

3. How does the sermon illustrate the difference between outward spiritual achievements and a true personal relationship with Jesus? [12:49]

4. What does the sermon imply about the inclusivity of the joy of knowing our names are written in heaven, and how does this unify believers? [25:53]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent success in your life. How can you ensure that your joy in this success does not overshadow the joy of your eternal assurance? [04:47]

2. Have you ever experienced pride in your spiritual achievements? What steps can you take to remain humble and recognize God's grace in your successes? [09:42]

3. Consider your spiritual gifts. How can you use them to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus rather than just focusing on outward achievements? [12:49]

4. How can you cultivate a joy that is rooted in faith and assurance, especially during times of trial or temptation? [22:58]

5. Think of someone in your life who may feel excluded from the joy of heavenly assurance. How can you encourage them and share the inclusive nature of this joy? [25:53]

6. What practical steps can you take this week to remind yourself of your identity as one of God's chosen people, secure in His eternal love? [29:33]

7. How can the assurance of your name being written in heaven influence your interactions with others and your approach to daily challenges? [33:23]

Devotional

Day 1: Eternal Joy Over Earthly Success
The joy of knowing our names are written in heaven surpasses any earthly success or spiritual victory. While the disciples were initially thrilled by their power over spirits, Jesus redirected their focus to the eternal joy of their heavenly citizenship. This joy is not a rebuke of their initial happiness but a call to prioritize what is eternal over what is temporary. Earthly achievements, even in ministry, can be fleeting and should not overshadow the profound assurance of our place in God's eternal kingdom. [04:47]

Luke 12:32-34 (ESV): "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Reflection: What earthly success or achievement are you currently prioritizing over your eternal joy in Christ? How can you shift your focus to treasure your heavenly citizenship today?


Day 2: Humility in Ministry
Success in ministry can lead to pride if we forget that all achievements are through Christ. Human nature often emphasizes personal accomplishments, but true humility recognizes that our gifts and successes are not indicators of personal virtue but of God's grace. This humility guards against the spiritual danger of self-reliance and keeps us dependent on God. Remembering that all success is through the power of Jesus' name helps us remain humble and grateful. [09:42]

1 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV): "For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?"

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed pride to creep into your ministry or personal achievements? How can you practice humility and acknowledge God's grace in your successes today?


Day 3: Evidence of Grace
Spiritual gifts and successes are not evidence of grace. True assurance comes from a transformed life and a personal relationship with Jesus, not merely from outward achievements. Even those who perform great works in Jesus' name may not truly know Him, as illustrated by Judas and others who were outwardly successful but inwardly lost. The evidence of grace is seen in a life that reflects Christ's character and a heart that is aligned with His will. [12:49]

Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV): "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'"

Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual life. Are there areas where you rely on outward achievements rather than a personal relationship with Jesus? How can you deepen your relationship with Him today?


Day 4: Inclusive Joy
The joy of knowing our names are written in heaven is available to all believers, regardless of their earthly status or abilities. This joy unites all saints in the shared assurance of their heavenly citizenship. It is a joy that grows from faith, not sight, and is nourished by the knowledge of God's eternal love and grace. This inclusive joy is a reminder that our worth is not determined by our earthly achievements but by our identity as God's chosen people. [25:53]

Galatians 3:28-29 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."

Reflection: How can you embrace the inclusive joy of your heavenly citizenship today, regardless of your earthly status or abilities? In what ways can you encourage others to find their worth in Christ?


Day 5: Joy in God's Sovereign Choice
Rejoicing in our heavenly citizenship is rooted in the understanding of God's sovereign choice and grace. This joy is a reflection of our identity as God's chosen people, secure in His eternal love. It is a joy that can withstand trials, temptations, and even death, because it is anchored in the unchanging promise of God. This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is a steadfast assurance of our place in God's eternal kingdom. [29:33]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: How does understanding God's sovereign choice and grace impact your sense of joy and security in your faith? How can you live out this joy in your daily life, especially during trials and challenges?

Quotes

If we commit ourselves to him he will guide us a right in all things and teach us to sanctify a like our grief and our gladness. [00:58:02]

We may Rejoice that God blesses our labors, but still it must be a far less prominent Joy than that which Springs out of our personal interest in the salvation of God. Church members may be glad when they see a great Revival and their numbers largely increased, but at such times it is doubly needful to look to vital godliness and personal religion or the joy may be turned into mourning. [04:55:36]

The tendency of human nature is towards self-exaltation and so by degrees we come to emphasize thee to us, and we allow the through thy name to be uttered softly and yet more Softly until it is only used as a matter of form, and we in our hearts ascribe the whole success to ourselves. [09:08:39]

Observe that this warning speaks not of a few but of many. We shall not only see a Judas once in 18th centuries but many of whom this shall be the case. Men have gone forth making use of the name of Jesus and God has honored the name, though he has not accepted the man who used it. [13:16:39]

It is very easy for us to go forth and for a time to succeed so that it seems as if even the Devils were subject to us, and yet there may be no true work of God. Crowds May gather to listen there may be manifestations of deep emotion the number of the conversions put down on paper may be very great, and yet there may be little or nothing in the whole matter worthy of real Joy. [15:47:19]

The joy caused by our names being written in heaven comes of faith for I hath not seen the record neither hath any Angel read it to us and only because we believe in Jesus and we assured thereof. For this reason the joy grows in good soil and is in itself safe. [27:19:59]

To be written in heaven means that we are precious in the sight of the Lord, that he has noted us down in the list of his crown jewels and will preserve us for himself till the day in which all his sacred regalia shall be complete. Blessed are those who stand recorded in the inventory of Heaven's Jewel House. [29:10:08]

We also Rejoice that our names are written that is known and published in heaven. Paul mentioned certain of his fellow Servants of whom he said whose names are written in heaven as much as to say though they have neither Fame nor honor here, they have a Perpetual record where honor is worth receiving namely Before the Throne of God. [30:15:72]

I would have you Joy in the great grace which first inscribed your name in God's Eternal book. Oh bless the Sovereign distinguishing discriminating Grace which wrote down your unworthy name, where they might have stood the name of a king or of an emperor or the name of a person of great repute of superior Talent OR of great eloquence and learning. [31:22:60]

If Thou Art trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ Thou Art his and the Lord knoweth then that are his and hath written them down in his own private tablets which he carries in his bosom If thy name be amongst True Believers on Earth it is amongst the redeemed in heaven thou needs not question that for the Declarations of scripture put it Beyond a doubt. [35:50:22]

Go brother and exalt in this and let the sweet influence of it upon thy life be daily seen for this Joy dear friend will make this set very loose by everything else on Earth. What if thou be rich Rejoice not in this for riches take to themselves wings and fly away but rather Rejoice because thy name is written in heaven. [36:47:39]

Jesus rejoiced and thanked the father because of the choice which his Sovereign Grace has made. Notice the spirit in which Jesus puts his Thanksgiving he is satisfied with the choice because it is God's choice. Even so father said he for so it seemed good in thy sight, that is the true Spirit of Christ to be content with what God Wills because God wills it. [42:55:02]

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Transcript
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