Finding Joy in Eternal Assurance and Trust
Summary
Summary:
In our journey of faith and ministry, it's easy to get caught up in the highs and lows of our experiences, often letting them dictate our joy. However, Jesus reminds us in Luke 10 that our true joy should not be rooted in our ministry successes or spiritual victories, but in the assurance that our names are written in heaven. This profound truth should be the foundation of our joy, transcending the fluctuating circumstances of life. Our joy should be anchored in our eternal relationship with God, not in the temporary outcomes of our earthly endeavors.
Reflecting on Philippians 4:4, we are commanded to "rejoice in the Lord always." This is not a suggestion but a divine imperative, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a joyful spirit regardless of our circumstances. The key to sustaining this joy is to focus on our relationship with God, recognizing His love and sovereignty over our lives. When we truly grasp the magnitude of being loved by the Creator, our earthly worries and anxieties diminish.
Moreover, we are encouraged to redefine success in ministry. Success is not measured by numbers or accolades but by our likeness to Christ. Our ultimate goal should be to live in such a way that others see Jesus in us. This perspective shift helps us maintain joy and purpose, even when external validation is lacking.
Finally, we are reminded of the power of trust in God. When we pray and leave our burdens with Him, we demonstrate our faith in His ability to handle our concerns. This trust allows us to live free from anxiety, knowing that God is dependable and has our best interests at heart.
Key Takeaways:
1. Joy in Eternal Assurance: Our joy should be rooted in the assurance that our names are written in heaven, not in the transient successes of our ministry. This eternal perspective provides a stable foundation for joy, regardless of life's ups and downs. [02:54]
2. Command to Rejoice: Rejoicing in the Lord is a command, not a suggestion. It requires a conscious effort to focus on our relationship with God and His love for us, which transcends our earthly circumstances. [10:10]
3. Redefining Success: True success in ministry is not about numbers or recognition but about becoming more like Christ. Our goal should be to live in such a way that others see Jesus in us, which brings lasting joy and fulfillment. [39:06]
4. Trust in God's Dependability: When we pray and leave our burdens with God, we demonstrate our trust in His ability to handle our concerns. This trust frees us from anxiety and allows us to live joyfully, knowing that God is in control. [20:51]
5. Pursuing Love and Joy: By focusing on loving God and others, and rejoicing in our relationship with Him, we naturally avoid sin and negative thoughts. This pursuit of love and joy keeps us spiritually safe and fulfilled. [30:26]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:07] - The Appendix of the Church
[00:48] - The Joy of Ministry
[01:17] - Jesus Sends the 72
[02:09] - Authority Over Demons
[02:54] - Rejoice in Eternal Assurance
[04:08] - Finding Joy in the Right Things
[06:41] - Assurance of Salvation
[08:00] - Struggling with Joy
[10:10] - Command to Rejoice
[12:01] - Letting Go of Anxiety
[16:05] - Living Without Worry
[20:51] - Trusting God's Dependability
[30:26] - Pursuing Love and Joy
[39:06] - Redefining Success in Ministry
[45:11] - Being God's Signet Ring
[50:22] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 10:17-20
2. Philippians 4:4-7
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Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 10:17-20, what was the initial source of joy for the 72 disciples when they returned from their mission? How did Jesus redirect their focus? [02:54]
2. According to Philippians 4:4, what is the command given to believers, and how is it emphasized in the passage? [10:10]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between our earthly successes and our eternal assurance? [03:52]
4. How does the pastor describe his personal struggle with maintaining joy, and what biblical command does he highlight as a solution? [08:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Jesus emphasize rejoicing in the assurance that our names are written in heaven rather than in ministry successes? How does this perspective affect our daily lives? [02:54]
2. What does it mean to "rejoice in the Lord always," and how can this command be practically applied in challenging circumstances? [10:10]
3. How does the sermon redefine success in ministry, and what implications does this have for how we measure our own spiritual growth? [39:06]
4. What role does trust in God's dependability play in living a life free from anxiety, according to the sermon? [20:51]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where your joy was dependent on external circumstances. How might focusing on your eternal assurance have changed your response? [03:52]
2. The sermon discusses the command to rejoice always. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to maintain joy. What steps can you take to focus more on your relationship with God in that area? [10:10]
3. Consider how you currently define success in your spiritual life. How can you shift your focus to becoming more like Christ rather than seeking external validation? [39:06]
4. Think of a burden you are currently carrying. How can you practice trusting God with this concern and experience the peace that surpasses understanding? [20:51]
5. The pastor shared a personal story about struggling with joy. Can you relate to his experience? What practical steps can you take to cultivate a joyful spirit in your daily routine? [08:14]
6. How can you actively pursue love and joy in your relationships with others, and what impact might this have on your spiritual well-being? [30:26]
7. Identify a specific worry or anxiety you have been holding onto. What is one action you can take this week to release it to God and trust in His dependability? [24:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy in Eternal Assurance
Our joy should be deeply rooted in the assurance that our names are written in heaven, rather than in the transient successes of our ministry. This eternal perspective provides a stable foundation for joy, regardless of life's ups and downs. When we focus on the eternal promise of our salvation, we find a joy that is unshakeable by the circumstances of this world. This joy is not dependent on our achievements or failures but is anchored in the unchanging truth of our relationship with God. [02:54]
Luke 10:20 (ESV): "Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself daily that your true joy comes from the assurance of your salvation, rather than your daily successes or failures?
Day 2: Command to Rejoice
Rejoicing in the Lord is a command, not a suggestion. It requires a conscious effort to focus on our relationship with God and His love for us, which transcends our earthly circumstances. This divine imperative calls us to maintain a joyful spirit regardless of what we face, emphasizing the importance of a heart that is continually turned towards God. By choosing to rejoice, we align ourselves with God's will and open our hearts to His peace and presence. [10:10]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to cultivate a habit of rejoicing in the Lord, even when circumstances are challenging?
Day 3: Redefining Success
True success in ministry is not about numbers or recognition but about becoming more like Christ. Our goal should be to live in such a way that others see Jesus in us, which brings lasting joy and fulfillment. This perspective shift helps us maintain joy and purpose, even when external validation is lacking. By focusing on Christlikeness, we align our lives with God's purpose and find true success in His eyes. [39:06]
Galatians 1:10 (ESV): "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from seeking external validation to pursuing Christlikeness in your daily life?
Day 4: Trust in God's Dependability
When we pray and leave our burdens with God, we demonstrate our trust in His ability to handle our concerns. This trust frees us from anxiety and allows us to live joyfully, knowing that God is in control. By entrusting our worries to Him, we acknowledge His sovereignty and faithfulness, which brings peace to our hearts. This act of trust is a powerful testimony of our faith in God's goodness and His perfect plan for our lives. [20:51]
Psalm 55:22 (ESV): "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."
Reflection: What burden are you carrying today that you need to entrust to God, and how can you practically do that?
Day 5: Pursuing Love and Joy
By focusing on loving God and others, and rejoicing in our relationship with Him, we naturally avoid sin and negative thoughts. This pursuit of love and joy keeps us spiritually safe and fulfilled. When we prioritize love and joy, we align ourselves with God's heart and experience the fullness of life He intends for us. This intentional pursuit transforms our lives and impacts those around us, drawing them closer to God. [30:26]
1 John 4:12 (ESV): "No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
Reflection: How can you intentionally pursue love and joy in your interactions with others today, and what impact do you hope this will have?
Quotes
However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you but Rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Is that an interesting statement? Jesus, you know, is with this crowd of 72 disciples. They're so fired up about their Ministry, and Jesus goes, yeah, yeah, wasn't that great? [00:02:49]
One of the big reasons one of reasons why we lose our joy in Ministry is because we find our joy in Ministry. We find our joy in the wrong things. Jesus don't do that, and I don't think he means that we don't get excited, you know, when someone gives her life to the Lord. [00:04:06]
Philippians 4:4 where uh God commands us rejoice in the lord always. I'll say it again, Rejoice. This is one of those commands that I never uh I never really took seriously as a command. It's too happy to be a command, right? A command supposed to be thou shall not. [00:10:05]
Rejoice in the Lord always. Let me say it again just in case you didn't hear me, rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice that your name's written in heaven right now and what else matters honestly? It's like if I read your name out of that book you'd be like, I I'm good for at least a week. [00:11:08]
When you pray and then you worry about it getting done, that killed me. It's the most simple, obvious thought, right? But it it was like a light bulb went on where I thought I don't trust God. I give him things I give him assignments I say Lord here's this just use it for your glory. [00:19:56]
Can we learn to think that way about our God that by everything by prayer and petition it's like wow I just took that off my chest I just gave it to the Lord and he's going to work it out for his good for his glory everything revolves around him anyways so here it is. [00:20:51]
As long as you're loving as long as you're pursuing love you're safe and it's the same thing here as long as you're rejoicing in the Lord you can't let those evil thoughts in you know Galatians 5 talks about it we'll turn there Galatians uh five I think it's third. [00:30:26]
I want at some point in my life to be living so much like Christ that someone would say about me the day I spent with him was the closest thing I've experienced to Walking With Jesus. Would people say that about you? Is that what you consider success? [00:39:06]
Our joy should come from our sanctification knowing that wow I'm more like Christ this year than I was last. My name's written in that book I'm safe secure and I'm becoming more and more like him. When we have an improper perspective of ministry and what it means to be successful. [00:39:56]
I want to be your signant ring I want to be your signant ring in SEI Valley, California. I I want to be your example for you to say you see how that looks see that stamp right there I want you all to follow him and become like him become like her as Leaders. [00:45:11]
As long as that relationship with him is just alive and well all the depression and all the you know mundane tasks and everything it just it kind of goes away but it all starts with that excitement in your walk with the Lord if that's not there yeah you you know what then you are going to go up and down. [00:50:22]
Father, it's an amazing thought that we can call you Daddy we can enter the holy of holies and say Daddy to say father and that you not just notice us but that you love us oh God your love is greater than any other love on this Earth I love you more than my wife more than my kids. [00:50:22]
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