Finding Joy in Life's Transitional Moments
Summary
The sermon titled "12/17/2023 - Merry Liminal Christmas: Joy In Liminal Spaces" explores the theme of joy in the context of liminality—the transitional periods in life. The pastor, whose name is not discernible from the title, begins by leading the congregation in worship and prayer, inviting God to meet them in their brokenness and humanity. The pastor emphasizes the belief that God speaks prophetically through His people and the importance of practicing spiritual gifts with discernment.
The pastor then delves into the concept of God's strength being manifested through joy, as Jesus came to reestablish His kingdom characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy. The Holy Spirit's indwelling presence allows believers to experience these qualities, despite Satan's attempts to distract them with worldly struggles and consumerism. The pastor encourages inviting Christ into every situation, including family conflicts, to experience the joy of the Lord.
The significance of Simeon and Anna's presence at the temple during Jesus' presentation is highlighted, representing the failure and recovery of many in Israel. The pastor asks the congregation to imagine the scene and compares it to modern-day claims of divine guidance in personal decisions. The pastor also introduces a 21-day prayer and fasting theme of "praying the word," and announces a class exploring the differences between Mormonism and Christianity, along with reminders about church offerings and events.
Joy as a fruit of the spirit is discussed, with references to Paul's letter to the Galatians and the teachings of James and Peter on choosing joy in trials and suffering. The pastor connects this to the story of Simeon and Anna, who experienced joy in the face of uncertainty and societal expectations.
The angel's announcement to the shepherds of Jesus' birth is recounted, emphasizing that true joy comes from trusting in God. The pastor introduces the sermon series theme of "liminality," exploring the Advent titles of hope, peace, joy, and love, and the liminal periods in biblical history.
The pastor discusses the joy Simeon and Anna experienced upon encountering baby Jesus, emphasizing the importance of holding onto scriptural truths and the joy of the Lord as our strength. A personal story about the pastor's child being admired by strangers leads into the biblical account of Simeon confirming Jesus as the Messiah.
The congregation is invited to bring their wounds and struggles to Jesus for healing and peace, acknowledging the difficulty of trusting God in hard situations but emphasizing the necessity of surrendering to experience God's promised joy and peace.
Key Takeaways:
- True joy is a divine strength that believers can access through the Holy Spirit, despite Satan's attempts to distract with lies and worldly concerns. By inviting Christ into every aspect of life, including conflicts, we can overcome these distractions and experience the fullness of joy that is part of God's kingdom. [54:16]
- The stories of Simeon and Anna at the temple illustrate the profound joy that comes from faith and perseverance. Even in the face of societal pressures and personal longings, their encounter with the infant Jesus fulfilled a deep spiritual anticipation, teaching us that joy can be found in God's promises and presence, regardless of our circumstances. [41:30]
- Engaging in spiritual practices such as prayer and fasting can deepen our connection with God and the world around us. By "praying the word" for 21 days, believers can focus on the needs of their denomination, community, and the brokenness in the world, fostering a spirit of intercession and compassion. [25:35]
- The Advent season is a time of liminality, a space between what was and what will be. It is in these in-between times that we can experience profound spiritual growth and joy. As we reflect on the hope, peace, joy, and love that Christ brings, we are reminded that God often works in the transitional periods of our lives. [31:56]
- Joy is not merely an emotion but a choice rooted in the hope and truth of God. By focusing on scriptural promises and the reality of God's kingdom, believers can choose joy even in the midst of challenges. This decision to embrace joy is an act of faith that honors God and strengthens our spiritual resolve. [44:50]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 2:21-38 - The story of Simeon and Anna encountering baby Jesus at the temple.
2. Nehemiah 8:10 - "The joy of the Lord is your strength."
3. Romans 14:17 - "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit."
#### Observation Questions
1. What were Simeon and Anna doing when they encountered baby Jesus at the temple? How did they react? ([39:00])
2. According to Nehemiah 8:10, what is described as our strength?
3. In Romans 14:17, what three qualities are said to characterize the kingdom of God?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the joy Simeon and Anna experienced upon seeing Jesus reflect their faith and perseverance? ([42:08])
2. What does it mean for the joy of the Lord to be our strength, especially in times of hardship? ([52:56])
3. How can the qualities of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, as described in Romans 14:17, be manifested in our daily lives?
#### Application Questions
1. Simeon and Anna held onto God's promises despite societal pressures and personal longings. How can you hold onto God's promises in your own life, especially when facing uncertainty? ([42:08])
2. The pastor mentioned that joy is a decision based on hope and what we know to be true about God. Can you identify a situation in your life where you need to choose joy? What steps can you take to make that choice? ([46:47])
3. The sermon emphasized inviting Christ into every situation, including family conflicts. Is there a specific conflict or struggle in your life where you need to invite Christ's presence? How will you do that this week? ([57:11])
4. The pastor shared a personal story about strangers admiring his child, relating it to Simeon and Anna's recognition of Jesus. Have you ever experienced a moment where someone unexpectedly affirmed God's work in your life? How did it impact you? ([37:06])
5. Engaging in spiritual practices such as prayer and fasting can deepen our connection with God. Are you willing to participate in the 21-day prayer and fasting challenge? What specific focus will you have during this period? ([25:35])
6. Reflecting on the Advent season as a time of liminality, how can you use this period to grow spiritually? What specific actions will you take to embrace the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love in your life? ([34:17])
7. The pastor mentioned that joy is not merely an emotion but a choice rooted in the hope and truth of God. How can you remind yourself of this truth daily? Is there a scripture or practice that helps you focus on God's promises? ([46:47])
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Strength in Joyful Surrender
Joy is not found in the absence of struggle but in the divine strength that comes through surrendering to the Holy Spirit. Despite the distractions and lies that the world and Satan may present, true joy is accessible when Christ is invited into every aspect of life, including conflicts. This joy is a hallmark of God's kingdom and a source of strength. [54:16]
Nehemiah 8:10 - "Then he said to them, 'Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"
Reflection: How can you invite Christ into a current conflict or struggle to transform it into an opportunity for experiencing divine joy?
Day 2: Anticipating Joy in God's Promises
The stories of Simeon and Anna demonstrate that true joy comes from a life of faith and perseverance, anticipating the fulfillment of God's promises. Their joy was not dependent on their circumstances but on the certainty of God's presence and faithfulness. [41:30]
Luke 2:25-26 - "Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah."
Reflection: What promise of God are you holding onto in this season? How does this promise inspire joy in your daily life?
Day 3: Deepening Connection Through Spiritual Practice
Engaging in spiritual practices such as prayer and fasting can lead to a deeper connection with God and a heightened awareness of the needs around us. By focusing on "praying the word," believers can cultivate a spirit of intercession and compassion, aligning their hearts with God's. [25:35]
Daniel 9:3 - "Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes."
Reflection: How can you incorporate a spiritual practice like "praying the word" into your routine to deepen your connection with God and others?
Day 4: Liminality as a Space for Growth
The Advent season reminds us that God often works in the liminal spaces—the in-between times of our lives. These periods can be times of profound spiritual growth and joy as we reflect on the hope, peace, joy, and love that Christ brings. [31:56]
Isaiah 43:19 - "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: Can you identify a liminal space in your life right now? How can you embrace this period as an opportunity for growth and joy?
Day 5: Choosing Joy as an Act of Faith
Joy is a choice rooted in the hope and truth of God's word. By focusing on scriptural promises and the reality of God's kingdom, believers can choose joy even amidst challenges, honoring God and strengthening their spiritual resolve. [44:50]
1 Peter 1:8-9 - "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
Reflection: What is one challenge you're facing where you can choose joy as an act of faith today?
Quotes
"We want to give God the opportunity to speak through his people; we believe that God still speaks prophetically—words of knowledge, words of wisdom, words of encouragement—and because of that, we want to allow the opportunity for people to learn how to practice those spiritual gifts." [20:53] (Download)
"There is certainly enough brokenness in our world, in our community, but also all around the world, that we'll have plenty of things to be praying for during that time." [25:35] (Download)
"True joy comes from trusting in God, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the true answer for hope, peace, and joy in the season and for eternity." [32:45] (Download)
"The idea of liminality, being between two places, applies in our lives and God wants to use it. We've been exploring this through the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, and how these periods of transition shape our faith journey." [34:17] (Download)
"Jesus came to reestablish his kingdom here on Earth and Paul says that the kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace, and joy. Jesus came to...ascended into heaven he said the Holy Spirit will come and he will dwell in you." [54:16] (Download)
"In order to experience the joy of the Lord...we must invite Christ into whatever our situation is, some of us that means inviting him into our family squabbles and saying Jesus would you please come and be." [57:11] (Download)
"Joy is a decision based on Hope and what's to come and on what we know to be true about God. If we know that God's intent is for us to have joy, then it makes sense that in our world there is an enemy seeking to do his best to make sure that he separates us from Joy." [49:35] (Download)
"God's desire is that we experience joy and yet in our world we live in a joyless culture. But God says no, we're supposed to encounter joy, which is a decision based on Hope and what's to come." [48:49] (Download)
"Joy is rooted in God and his kingdom, in the certainty of his goodness, his love for us. It is immovable, unshakable, and is available at all times because God and his kingdom are always available to us." [46:47] (Download)
"They encountered the joy of God because they held on to what they knew to be true." [52:56] (Download)
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