Finding Joy in Christ Through Life's Trials

 

Summary

In this season of Lent, we are called to reflect deeply on our relationship with God, examining our lives for anything that grieves Him and seeking His guidance for new directions. Our current series, "What Would Paul Do?" invites us to learn from the Apostle Paul's life and actions as a disciple of Jesus. Today, we focus on the theme of joy, particularly how Paul experienced joy in Christ despite enduring significant hardships and trials. This joy, which is available to all of us, is a divine gift from the Holy Spirit that sustains and strengthens us regardless of our circumstances.

Reflecting on my personal journey, I shared a recent challenge with hearing loss. While it has been a difficult process, it has also drawn me closer to Jesus, forcing me to rely on Him more deeply. In this vulnerability, I have found joy in God's presence, a joy that surpasses any worldly happiness. This mirrors Paul's experience, as described in 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, where he speaks of being hard-pressed but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, and struck down but not destroyed. Paul's joy was rooted in seeing his life through the lens of the cross, understanding that Jesus' presence in suffering offers us strength and hope.

The city of Corinth, much like our own culture, was focused on self-promotion and personal success. Yet, Paul teaches us that true joy comes not from self-centered pursuits but from recognizing God's presence in our lives, even in our most challenging moments. This joy is not just about God's presence but about God Himself being the source of our joy. We are invited to see God at work in our own "cross-shaped" places, to witness His comforting presence and transforming power.

As we reflect on our current life circumstances, we are encouraged to invite God into our experiences, to seek His help, and to embrace the joy that comes from His presence. Whatever pain or disappointment we have faced, God offers redemption, healing, and freedom. The call is to come to Him, to believe in the joy He offers, and to allow His love to take root in our hearts.

Key Takeaways:

1. Joy in Christ is a divine gift that sustains us through life's hardships. It is available to us regardless of our circumstances, and it strengthens our faith when we focus on Jesus and His presence in our lives. [02:05]

2. Personal challenges, like my hearing loss, can draw us closer to God, forcing us to rely on Him more deeply. In vulnerability, we find joy in God's presence, which surpasses any worldly happiness. [04:09]

3. Paul's joy was rooted in seeing his life through the lens of the cross. Understanding Jesus' presence in suffering offers us strength and hope, reminding us that God is with us in our trials. [08:19]

4. True joy comes not from self-centered pursuits but from recognizing God's presence in our lives, even in our most challenging moments. God Himself is the source of our joy, offering us comfort and transformation. [12:29]

5. We are invited to invite God into our experiences, seek His help, and embrace the joy that comes from His presence. Whatever pain or disappointment we have faced, God offers redemption, healing, and freedom. [14:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:05] - Introduction to Lent and Paul's Example
- [04:09] - Personal Testimony of Hearing Loss
- [06:26] - Paul's Relationship with the Corinthians
- [08:19] - Joy Through the Lens of the Cross
- [10:59] - Cultural Context of Corinth
- [12:29] - Paul's Paradox of Suffering and Joy
- [14:03] - Invitation to Experience God's Joy
- [15:42] - The Cross as a Place of God's Presence
- [17:33] - Closing and Call to Believe

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

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#### Observation Questions

1. What does Paul mean when he refers to "treasure in jars of clay" in 2 Corinthians 4:7? How does this metaphor relate to the theme of joy in the sermon? [04:09]

2. In the sermon, how does the pastor describe his personal experience with hearing loss, and how has it affected his relationship with God? [04:09]

3. How does Paul describe his experiences of being "hard-pressed," "perplexed," "persecuted," and "struck down" in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9? What is the significance of these descriptions in the context of the sermon? [12:29]

4. What cultural challenges did the city of Corinth present to the early Christians, and how did Paul address these in his letters? [06:26]

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#### Interpretation Questions

1. How does Paul's perspective on suffering and joy challenge the cultural norms of Corinth, and what implications does this have for modern believers? [10:59]

2. In what ways does the pastor's personal testimony of hearing loss illustrate the concept of finding joy in vulnerability and reliance on God? [04:09]

3. How does the metaphor of "jars of clay" in 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 help believers understand the relationship between human weakness and divine strength? [08:19]

4. What does it mean to see one's life "through the lens of the cross," and how does this perspective offer strength and hope during trials? [08:19]

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#### Application Questions

1. Reflect on a personal challenge you are currently facing. How can you invite God into this experience to find joy and strength? [14:03]

2. The pastor shared how his hearing loss brought him closer to God. Is there a difficult situation in your life that could be an opportunity to deepen your reliance on God? [04:09]

3. How can you cultivate a mindset that sees joy as a divine gift, regardless of your circumstances? What practical steps can you take this week to focus on Jesus' presence in your life? [02:05]

4. In what ways can you resist the cultural pressures of self-promotion and success, as seen in Corinth, to find true joy in God's presence? [10:59]

5. Consider a time when you felt "hard-pressed" or "perplexed." How did you experience God's presence during that time, and how can that memory encourage you in future trials? [12:29]

6. How can you actively seek God's comfort and transformation in your "cross-shaped" places of life? What specific actions can you take to witness His power in these areas? [12:29]

7. What steps can you take to ensure that your joy is rooted in God Himself, rather than in external circumstances or achievements? [12:29]

Devotional

Day 1: Joy as a Divine Gift in Hardship
In the midst of life's challenges, joy in Christ is a divine gift that sustains and strengthens us. This joy is not dependent on our circumstances but is a profound assurance of God's presence and love. The Apostle Paul exemplified this joy, finding strength in Christ even when faced with severe trials. His life teaches us that focusing on Jesus and His presence in our lives can transform our hardships into opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper faith. [02:05]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what current challenge can you seek the joy of Christ, trusting in His sustaining presence?


Day 2: Vulnerability as a Pathway to Joy
Personal challenges, such as physical ailments or emotional struggles, can draw us closer to God by forcing us to rely on Him more deeply. In our vulnerability, we often find a joy that surpasses worldly happiness, rooted in God's presence. This joy is a testament to the transformative power of God's love, which turns our weaknesses into strengths and our sorrows into joy. [04:09]

"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." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embrace vulnerability in your life today to experience the deeper joy of God's presence?


Day 3: The Cross as a Lens for Joy
Paul's joy was deeply rooted in viewing his life through the lens of the cross. This perspective allowed him to see Jesus' presence in his suffering, offering strength and hope. By understanding that God is with us in our trials, we can find joy even in the midst of pain. This joy is not about escaping suffering but about experiencing God's transformative power within it. [08:19]

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you view your current struggles through the lens of the cross, finding joy in God's presence and promise?


Day 4: True Joy Beyond Self-Centered Pursuits
True joy is not found in self-centered pursuits or worldly success but in recognizing God's presence in our lives, even during challenging moments. God Himself is the source of our joy, offering comfort and transformation. By shifting our focus from ourselves to God's work in our lives, we can experience a joy that transcends circumstances and brings lasting fulfillment. [12:29]

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)

Reflection: What self-centered pursuits can you let go of to focus more on God's presence and experience true joy?


Day 5: Inviting God into Our Experiences
We are invited to invite God into our experiences, seeking His help and embracing the joy that comes from His presence. No matter the pain or disappointment we have faced, God offers redemption, healing, and freedom. By coming to Him and believing in the joy He offers, we allow His love to take root in our hearts, transforming our lives. [14:03]

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28, ESV)

Reflection: How can you invite God into your current experiences, seeking His help and embracing the joy He offers?

Quotes

"During Lent, as we evaluate our relationship with God, we ask questions about our love for God. We look to see if there's anything in our lives that grieve Him, anything that needs to be repented of. We consider a new God's leadership over our life. We ask if He's calling us to something new." [00:00:32]

"And today we want to look at the topic of joy, or more specifically, we want to see how Paul experienced joy in Christ despite a life of hardship and trial. How did Paul have a kind of joy in the Lord that sustained and strengthened his faith, even when he suffered?" [00:02:20]

"And Westville, before we get into our text, I just want to testify this morning that you can experience the joy of God. You can have it in your own life. It's available for you. You can have a joy in your soul that's from the Holy Spirit. Whether life is good or life is bad, it can belong to you." [00:02:39]

"And while I'm still processing it and still looking at what will the future look like, barring a miracle or a medical breakthrough, and trying to process that reality, I've realized that in a weird, strange way, I'm actually thankful for my hearing loss. Because despite all the challenges and struggles that come with it, I actually don't think I would be a Christian if I didn't have it." [00:04:09]

"When I find myself not able to hear, struggling in conversation, not able to follow what's going on, having a hard time missing jokes, or just missing what people are saying, this disability has somehow forced me to spend more time with the Lord. It's forced me to be honest with Him. It's forced me to ask for help." [00:04:36]

"And in 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verses 7 to 10, we see the apostle Paul writing to a church in Cornith and he says, but we have this treasure in yards of clay to show that it's all surpassing powers from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, and struck down but not destroyed." [00:05:23]

"And one of the issues with the people in Corneth is that they acted and lived in ungodly ways despite the teaching of Scripture and the discipleship of Paul. They still lived and thought in ways contrary to what Paul had taught them. These people were selfish. They were greedy. They were sexually immoral." [00:06:35]

"And so when we see these verses, we have to ask, how is this possible? How did Paul have joy in the Lord that enabled him to love his brothers and sisters despite the hurt they caused him and the pain that he went through? And I think what we see through these verses is that we see that Paul had joy in the Lord because he was able to see his life through the cross." [00:08:24]

"Even in something as horrible and awful as crucifixion, Jesus is there because Jesus himself was crucified. We can look at the cross and we can see Jesus and even in the midst of pain and suffering and loss, we can see that God is present in that. He's not absent. He knows what it's like to be crucified." [00:09:29]

"And the paradox of all this is that it was the hard things in our life, the awful circumstances, the pain of loss or of death, that led Paul to remember that if God is present even in the cross, then God is present with me right now. No matter what I'm going through." [00:13:02]

"Ultimately, in West Hill, execution by crucifixion was the very last place in which any person in the first or in the 21st century would have expected to see God at work. And yet, surprisingly, this is where God is most present. When we look at the cross, we see Jesus." [00:16:05]

"And whenever you're going through, whether now, in the past, or in the future, you can see Jesus present in your life. You can see the work that he has done, he is doing, and he will continue to do. And you can experience the joy that only comes from God." [00:17:07]

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Transcript
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