Finding Joy Through Faith and Community Support
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound and transformative power of joy in our lives, especially through the lens of Celebrate Recovery. We began by acknowledging the incredible work and dedication of Pastor Aaron and the importance of supporting our church leaders through prayer and encouragement. We then delved into the concept of feeling unqualified, using the example of Peter and John, who were ordinary men but were recognized for having been with Jesus. This serves as a reminder that our qualifications come from God, not from our own abilities.
Celebrate Recovery was highlighted as a vital ministry that provides a safe space for individuals to confront their past and present struggles, leading to a life of freedom in Jesus Christ. Personal testimonies, including my own journey through addiction and recovery, underscored the importance of this ministry. We discussed the difference between joy and happiness, emphasizing that joy is a deep-seated assurance in God's control over our lives, while happiness is a fleeting emotion.
We also examined the life of Paul, who despite immense suffering, found unending joy in his relationship with Jesus. His story illustrates that joy is not dependent on our circumstances but on our connection with God. The sermon concluded with a powerful reminder that joy comes in the morning, even after nights of weeping and hardship. This joy is a testament to God's enduring presence and compassion in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Support and Prayer for Leaders: It's crucial to support and pray for our church leaders, like Pastor Aaron, who tirelessly serve the community. Their energy and dedication come from their love for God and the people they serve. Our prayers can uplift and sustain them in their mission. [01:08:19]
2. Ordinary People, Extraordinary God: Feeling unqualified is a common struggle, but God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men, yet their time with Jesus made them remarkable. Our qualifications come from our relationship with God, not our abilities. [01:09:02]
3. Celebrate Recovery's Impact: Celebrate Recovery offers a safe space to address deep-seated issues and find freedom in Christ. It's not just a ministry for others; it's a place where we can all find healing and support. Personal testimonies highlight its transformative power. [01:11:40]
4. Joy vs. Happiness: Joy is a settled assurance in God's control over our lives, while happiness is a fleeting emotion. True joy comes from our relationship with Jesus and is evident in how we handle life's pressures and challenges. [01:16:51]
5. Joy in Suffering: The story of Paul shows that joy can be found even in suffering. Despite being imprisoned and beaten, Paul and Silas sang hymns and prayed, demonstrating that joy is rooted in our faith and not our circumstances. This joy can influence and inspire others around us. [01:28:40]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:08:19] - Support and Prayer for Leaders
[01:09:02] - Ordinary People, Extraordinary God
[01:11:40] - Celebrate Recovery's Impact
[01:16:51] - Joy vs. Happiness
[01:28:40] - Joy in Suffering
[01:30:25] - Joy Comes in the Morning
[01:39:13] - Invitation to Accept Jesus
[01:41:00] - Closing Prayer and Altar Call
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 4:13 (NIV) - "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."
2. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
3. Psalm 30:5 (NIV) - "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."
### Observation Questions
1. What did the people notice about Peter and John that made them astonished? (Acts 4:13)
2. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the fruits of the Spirit, and how is joy described among them?
3. How does Psalm 30:5 describe the transition from weeping to joy?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the example of Peter and John being "unschooled, ordinary men" challenge our understanding of qualifications for ministry? [01:09:02]
2. In what ways does Celebrate Recovery provide a "safe place" for individuals to confront their struggles and find freedom in Christ? [01:11:40]
3. How does the story of Paul and Silas in prison illustrate the concept of finding joy in suffering? [01:28:40]
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the importance of supporting and praying for church leaders, how can you personally commit to uplifting Pastor Aaron and other leaders in your church? [01:08:19]
2. Have you ever felt unqualified for a task God has called you to? How can the story of Peter and John encourage you in those moments? [01:09:02]
3. Celebrate Recovery emphasizes the importance of addressing past and present struggles. What is one area of your life where you need to seek healing and support? [01:11:40]
4. Joy is described as a deep-seated assurance in God's control over our lives. How can you cultivate this kind of joy in your daily life, especially during challenging times? [01:16:51]
5. Paul and Silas found joy even in imprisonment. Can you think of a difficult situation in your life where you can choose to find joy? How might this choice impact those around you? [01:28:40]
6. The sermon mentioned that joy comes in the morning after nights of weeping. Can you share a personal experience where you found joy after a period of hardship? [01:30:25]
7. How can you differentiate between seeking happiness in worldly things and finding true joy in your relationship with Jesus? What practical steps can you take to focus more on the latter? [01:16:51]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Prayer for Our Leaders
Supporting and praying for our church leaders is crucial. They tirelessly serve the community, often facing immense pressures and challenges. Their energy and dedication stem from their love for God and the people they serve. Our prayers can uplift and sustain them in their mission, providing them with the spiritual strength they need to continue their work. By praying for our leaders, we participate in their ministry and share in the responsibility of the church's mission.
When we pray for our leaders, we acknowledge their humanity and the weight of their responsibilities. It is a way to show our appreciation and support, recognizing that their work is not just a job but a calling. Our prayers can be a source of encouragement, helping them to persevere through difficult times and to continue to lead with wisdom and compassion. [01:08:19]
Hebrews 13:17 (ESV): "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Reflection: Think of a specific church leader you know. How can you pray for them today in a way that acknowledges their unique challenges and needs?
Day 2: God Qualifies the Called
Feeling unqualified is a common struggle, but God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men, yet their time with Jesus made them remarkable. This serves as a powerful reminder that our qualifications come from our relationship with God, not our abilities. When we feel inadequate, we can take comfort in knowing that God equips those He calls.
God's call often comes with a sense of inadequacy, but this is where His strength is made perfect in our weakness. By relying on God, we can accomplish things beyond our natural abilities. Our relationship with Him is the source of our strength and qualification. [01:09:02]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unqualified for a task. How did you see God work through your weaknesses to accomplish His purposes?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of Celebrate Recovery
Celebrate Recovery offers a safe space to address deep-seated issues and find freedom in Christ. It's not just a ministry for others; it's a place where we can all find healing and support. Personal testimonies highlight its transformative power, showing that through Christ, we can overcome our past and present struggles. This ministry provides a community where individuals can confront their issues and experience the freedom that comes from a relationship with Jesus.
Celebrate Recovery emphasizes the importance of community and accountability in the healing process. By sharing our struggles and victories with others, we can find encouragement and support. This ministry is a testament to the power of God's grace and the transformative impact of His love. [01:11:40]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Is there a struggle or burden you have been carrying alone? How can you seek support and healing within your faith community today?
Day 4: Joy vs. Happiness
Joy is a settled assurance in God's control over our lives, while happiness is a fleeting emotion. True joy comes from our relationship with Jesus and is evident in how we handle life's pressures and challenges. Unlike happiness, which depends on external circumstances, joy is rooted in our faith and trust in God. This deep-seated joy can sustain us through difficult times and give us a sense of peace and contentment.
Understanding the difference between joy and happiness can change our perspective on life's challenges. While happiness may come and go, joy remains because it is based on the unchanging nature of God. This joy can be a source of strength and encouragement, helping us to navigate life's ups and downs with grace and confidence. [01:16:51]
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: Think about a recent challenge you faced. How did you experience joy in the midst of that situation, despite the lack of happiness?
Day 5: Joy in Suffering
The story of Paul shows that joy can be found even in suffering. Despite being imprisoned and beaten, Paul and Silas sang hymns and prayed, demonstrating that joy is rooted in our faith and not our circumstances. This joy can influence and inspire others around us, showing them the power of a relationship with Jesus. Joy in suffering is a testament to the strength and resilience that comes from our faith.
Paul's example teaches us that our circumstances do not define our joy. Instead, our joy is anchored in our relationship with God and our trust in His plan for our lives. This perspective can transform how we view and respond to suffering, allowing us to find hope and encouragement even in the darkest times. [01:28:40]
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: How can you find and express joy in a current struggle or hardship? What steps can you take to focus on your relationship with God during this time?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Celebrate Recovery puts you in a place to confront those past and current hurts, habits, and hang-ups. And to live, listen to me, to live a life of freedom in Jesus Christ. Did you hear me? Yo, come on. Woo-woo. Hey, I understand. A little bit, but yo, listen, until I leave, I'm going to, I'm going to get some, we got to get some energy here. Listen, safe place for you to be real and honest and open and to say, hey, I'm going to confront some things that I haven't dealt with in my past." [01:11:40] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Joy isn't happiness and happiness isn't joy. We as believers, we know where joy comes from, right? I got the joy, joy, joy, joy down. Down in my what? Down in my, come on. Oh, come on. Y'all killing me. We know. We sing about it as kids. We know where joy comes from. This is what the spirit, this is what the word says. It talks about the fruits of the spirit. It says, But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, and it keeps listing the fruits." [01:17:36] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When we belong to Jesus, joy is the product of belonging. Did you hear me? When I belong to Jesus Christ, joy is the natural product of that. It comes out of me. Understand something. This is not an option. When you allow Jesus to come into your life, you willingly invited the Holy Spirit to come in and change your response to every situation." [01:18:18] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You have a choice to make Jesus the joy in your life, no matter. The circumstance. I'm going to ask if some of our worship team can come up. And I'm just going to read this last point. Joy comes in the morning. Joy comes in the morning. For his anger is but for a moment. His favor is for life. Weeping, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." [01:30:25] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I was born blind with no hope and no future. Now, I don't know much, but I know one thing for sure. God saves those who are crushed in spirit. And it is no longer true that blindness has robbed me of every good thing. My whole life. Yo, listen. My whole life testifies to one truth. There is a God who hears. He hears the cries of his people. No longer can it be said that I live every day of my life in hopelessness." [01:37:43] (-37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "And so many of you are doing that. I mean, you've got Cesar, you've got the team that's serving, you've got people over here doing sound. Stephanie was awesome today, just jumped in, throwing slides up. And you have all these good things. And I wanted to say something to Kai. Man, there's a... There's a word that popped in my heart, a verse. And Aaron was, Pastor Aaron was talking about Kai and saying, hey, that struggle sometimes of like, I don't feel like I'm qualified. And there's this verse where John and Peter were arrested. And it said, when they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were, listen, unschooled, ordinary men, unschooled, ordinary men. Yo, Kai, we're just ordinary, bro. We're nothing special. Like, but we are special because, listen, they were astonished." [01:09:02] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And so as we talk about Celebrate Recovery today, my role at CR, you know, I wasn't in Celebrate Recovery over two years ago. I was in East Hartford doing ministry. And as the Lord brought me in here, my mom, she is 25 years clean and sober. Isn't that awesome? And so we don't poo-poo on AA. We don't knock AA down. Man, AA was a part of saving my mom's life. And a lot of people in our ministry's life. But get this. I start serving at Celebrate Recovery. And there's amazing leaders, amazing people who love the Lord and love one another and push and advocate for each other." [01:10:25] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When we belong to Jesus, joy is the product of belonging. Did you hear me? When I belong to Jesus Christ, joy is the natural product of that. It comes out of me. Understand something. This is not an option. When you allow Jesus to come into your life, you willingly invited the Holy Spirit to come in and change your response to every situation. But what happens when our joy is corrupted in meaning? In other words, you're looking for joy or happiness, in the success of this world, or in the pleasures of this world, or in the people of this world." [01:18:18] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So Paul had two options here. He was going to suffer and be empty on the inside, or he was going to be filled with joy. It's easy to have joy when the trials aren't there. But what happens when you're facing the trials? You're going to experience difficult times. You might be in a trial right now of sickness, loss, depression, and the list goes on and on and on. You have a choice to make Jesus the joy in your life, no matter. The circumstance." [01:29:25] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "This was that moment of like, yo, God, you've got me. I have a picture. I didn't put it on here. My nephew, this Father's Day. I haven't seen him in years. And I was home and my nephew's like, can you just tell me about my dad? It's beautiful. You know what I was able to tell? I said, dude, your dad, man, he was stubborn. Your dad was stubborn. But he knew Jesus. He goes, I know my dad's going to be in heaven. I have a picture of him at his dad's tombstone. Leaving flowers to his father's day." [01:33:43] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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