Finding Joy in the Glory of Christ

In our time together, we explored the profound truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the ultimate work of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus. This gospel is not merely about removing obstacles to our joy but is fundamentally about revealing the glory of God in Christ, which is the source of our deepest and most satisfying joy. The gospel is designed to lead us to an unremitting pursuit of Jesus as our supreme treasure, where our lives become a testament to His infinite worth.

The gospel removes every barrier to our eternal joy in God, such as the wrath of God, alienation, guilt, lack of righteousness, death, spiritual deadness, and the accusations of Satan. Each of these obstacles has been obliterated by the blood of Jesus, allowing us to experience the fullness of joy in Him. However, the removal of these obstacles is not the ultimate goal; rather, it is the means to the end of enjoying and savoring the glory of God in Christ.

Our journey as believers is to see and savor the glory of Christ, to show His worth by how much we treasure Him, and to display His beauty by how much we delight in Him. This pursuit of joy in Jesus is not only commanded by the Bible but is also the essence of true faith, conversion, and love. It is through this pursuit that we glorify God most fully, as our satisfaction in Him magnifies His worth.

The Christian life is a lifelong quest to make Jesus the lifeblood of all our pleasures, ensuring that every joy we experience is rooted in Him. This pursuit is not easy, but it is profoundly joyful, as it aligns our hearts with the ultimate purpose of the gospel: to enjoy God forever.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The gospel is not just about removing obstacles to our joy but about revealing the glory of God in Christ, which is the source of our deepest joy. This revelation is the ultimate goal of the gospel, leading us to savor and treasure Jesus above all else. [03:21]
• 2. The removal of obstacles such as God's wrath, alienation, and guilt is not the end but a means to the greater end of enjoying God. Our joy in Jesus is made possible by His work on the cross, which obliterates these barriers. [07:17]
• 3. True faith is an embrace of Jesus as the bread that satisfies our soul, and conversion is finding Jesus so valuable that we would have Him at the cost of anything. This pursuit of joy in Jesus is the essence of the Christian life. [35:14]
• 4. Our love for others, including our family and enemies, flows from our joy in Jesus. This joy, even in affliction and poverty, overflows into a wealth of liberality and love for others. [38:31]
• 5. Pursuing our joy in Jesus glorifies Him like nothing else. When we are satisfied in Him, He is glorified, just as a spouse is honored when their partner finds joy in them. This pursuit is the ultimate reason for our existence. [42:33]
  ** [42:33]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:13] - Opening Prayer
• [02:05] - The Gospel Defined
• [03:21] - The Goal of the Gospel
• [04:24] - Experiencing the Gospel
• [06:28] - Removing Obstacles to Joy
• [08:07] - Seven Obstacles Removed
• [10:17] - Propitiation and Reconciliation
• [12:34] - Justification and Righteousness
• [14:38] - Overcoming Death
• [16:12] - Spiritual Deadness Removed
• [18:32] - Defeating Satan
• [21:39] - Experiencing the Greatest Good
• [26:26] - The Ultimate Goal of the Gospel
• [32:22] - The Life of Pursuit
• [35:14] - Faith and Joy in Jesus
• [38:31] - Overflowing Love
• [42:33] - Joy in Jesus Glorifies God
• [44:09] - Closing Prayer

1. Romans 5:9 - "Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!"
2. 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 - "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ."
3. Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."

1. According to Romans 5:9, what has been removed by the blood of Jesus, and what does this mean for believers? [08:53]
2. In 2 Corinthians 4:4-6, what is the role of the gospel in revealing the glory of Christ? How does this passage describe the transformation in believers? [29:02]
3. Ephesians 2:4-5 speaks of being made alive with Christ. What does this passage say about God's character and His actions towards us? [17:08]

1. How does the removal of obstacles like God's wrath and alienation serve as a means to a greater end, according to the sermon? [22:36]
2. What does it mean for Christ to be the "supreme object of our joy" in the gospel, as discussed in the sermon? How does this shape our understanding of the gospel's purpose? [28:13]
3. The sermon mentions that true faith involves embracing Jesus as the bread that satisfies our soul. How does this metaphor deepen our understanding of faith and conversion? [35:14]

1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can the truth of reconciliation through Christ, as mentioned in Ephesians 2:13, encourage you to draw near to Him again? [10:50]
2. The sermon emphasizes the pursuit of joy in Jesus as a lifelong quest. What practical steps can you take this week to make Jesus the center of your daily joys and pleasures? [33:32]
3. Consider the obstacles to joy that have been removed by the gospel. How can acknowledging these removals change the way you approach challenges in your spiritual life? [08:22]
4. The sermon suggests that our love for others flows from our joy in Jesus. Identify one relationship where you can intentionally let your joy in Christ overflow into love and service. [38:31]
5. How can you actively seek to see and savor the glory of Christ in your everyday life, as encouraged by the sermon? What specific practices or habits can help you in this pursuit? [32:37]
6. The sermon describes the Christian life as a quest to make Jesus the lifeblood of all our pleasures. What is one area of your life where you struggle to find joy in Jesus, and how can you address this struggle? [33:48]
7. Reflect on the idea that pursuing joy in Jesus glorifies Him. How can this understanding motivate you to prioritize your relationship with Christ above all else? [42:33]