Finding Joy Through Trials and Serving Others

Devotional

Day 1: Joy Beyond Circumstances

In the face of life's trials, joy is not merely a fleeting emotion tied to favorable circumstances but a profound state of being that transcends our immediate discomfort. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to "count it all joy" when encountering various trials, as these challenges serve to test and strengthen our faith, ultimately leading to spiritual maturity and completeness in Christ. This perspective invites us to shift our focus from the temporary pain of our trials to the greater work God is accomplishing within us. By embracing this mindset, we can find a resilient joy that sustains us through life's ups and downs. [19:15]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a current trial you are facing. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity for growth and spiritual maturity?

Day 2: The Paradox of Joyful Service

True joy and greatness in God's kingdom are found in serving others and putting their needs before our own. This countercultural mindset challenges the world's emphasis on self-promotion and personal gain. By adopting the principle of putting ourselves last, as exemplified by Jesus, we align ourselves with His example and open ourselves to the blessings of humility and service. Jesus, though divine, chose to serve rather than be served, demonstrating that true greatness is measured by our willingness to serve others selflessly. [23:54]

"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:43-45, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one person in your life whose needs you can prioritize today. How can you serve them in a way that reflects Christ's love and humility?

Day 3: Transformation Through Presence

The story of Chaplain Gary illustrates the transformative power of being present and available for others. By walking alongside others in their journey with Christ, we allow God to work through us to bring healing and growth. This call to action encourages us to be intentional in our relationships, seeking opportunities to lift others up and share in their successes. As we make ourselves available to others, we experience the joy that comes from witnessing God's transformative work in their lives. [28:13]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life is in need of support or encouragement? How can you be present for them this week, allowing God to work through you to bring healing and growth?

Day 4: Trusting in Divine Timing

Trusting God's timing requires us to let go of the need to control outcomes and wait patiently for His perfect plan to unfold. By putting ourselves last and trusting in His timing, we demonstrate our faith and align ourselves with His kingdom principles. This trust deepens our relationship with God and allows us to experience the peace and joy that come from knowing He is in control. As we wait on His timing, we are reminded that our identity and worth are found in Christ, not in our circumstances. [39:17]

"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing? What steps can you take to surrender control and wait patiently for His plan to unfold?

Day 5: Greatness Through Selfless Impact

True greatness is not measured by applause or recognition but by the selfless impact we have on others through love and service. By serving others, we align ourselves with Jesus' example and experience the fullness of joy that comes from living a life of purpose and significance. This holiday season, let us practice humility, trust in God's timing, and embrace the greatness that comes from serving others. As we do so, we reflect the heart of Christ and bring His love and light to those around us. [41:29]

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Consider how you can make a selfless impact in your community this week. What specific actions can you take to serve others and reflect Christ's love in your daily interactions?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of joy, especially in the face of trials and challenges. The essence of joy, as taught in the scriptures, is not merely about happiness in good times but finding a deeper, more resilient joy even amidst difficulties. James 1:2-4 reminds us to "count it all joy" when we face various trials, as these trials test our faith and produce patience, leading us to spiritual maturity and completeness in Christ. This perspective challenges us to shift our focus from our immediate discomfort to the greater work God is doing in and through us.

We delved into the idea of putting ourselves last, as represented by the "Y" in the acronym "JOY." This concept is countercultural, as the world often teaches us to prioritize ourselves. However, in the kingdom of God, true greatness and joy come from serving others and putting their needs before our own. This is exemplified in the life of Jesus, who, despite being God, chose to serve rather than be served. By adopting this mindset, we align ourselves with Christ's example and open ourselves to the blessings that come from humility and service.

The story of Chaplain Gary serves as a powerful testimony of transformation and the joy that comes from walking alongside others in their journey with Christ. It illustrates the impact of being available and present for others, allowing God to work through us to bring healing and growth. This is a call to action for each of us to be intentional in our relationships, seeking opportunities to lift others up and share in their successes.

As we continue to explore the theme of joy in the coming weeks, let us remember that our trials do not define us; Jesus does. By trusting in Him and putting others first, we can experience the fullness of joy that He promises. This holiday season, may we practice humility, trust in God's timing, and embrace the greatness that comes from serving others.

Key Takeaways

1. Joy in Trials: Embrace the joy that comes from trials, as they test our faith and produce patience, leading to spiritual maturity and completeness in Christ. This perspective shifts our focus from immediate discomfort to the greater work God is doing in us. [19:15]
2. Putting Yourself Last: True joy and greatness in God's kingdom come from serving others and putting their needs before our own. This countercultural mindset aligns us with Christ's example and opens us to the blessings of humility and service. [23:54]
3. Transformation Through Service: The story of Chaplain Gary illustrates the joy and transformation that come from being available and present for others, allowing God to work through us to bring healing and growth. [28:13]
4. Trusting God's Timing: Being last demonstrates trust in God, as we let go of the need to control outcomes and wait for His timing to exalt us. This deepens our faith and aligns us with His kingdom principles. [39:17]
5. Greatness Through Service: True greatness is measured by how we impact others selflessly with love and service, not by applause or recognition. By serving others, we align ourselves with Jesus' example and experience the fullness of joy. [41:29]
** [41:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Celebrating Joy in Trials
[03:45] - Understanding James 1:2-4
[07:30] - The Challenge of Joy in Hard Times
[10:15] - Testimonies of Joy
[13:00] - Patience and Completeness in Christ
[16:45] - Identity in Jesus
[19:15] - Embracing Joy in Trials
[22:31] - Inviting Jesus into Our Trials
[23:54] - The "Y" in Joy: Yourself Last
[25:21] - The Blessing of Being Last
[28:13] - Chaplain Gary's Transformation
[31:33] - Invitation to Walk in Joy
[34:38] - Humility and Service
[39:17] - Trusting God's Timing
[41:29] - Greatness Through Service
[45:49] - Living a Life of Greatness
[48:01] - Invitation to Serve and Edify Others
[50:23] - Prayer and Invitation to Accept Christ
[51:44] - Worship and Closing Remarks

Sermon Clips

We want to celebrate and be enjoying our challenges and difficulties in life is that what the Lord calls us to do and He does call us to do that based off of the word in James 1 2 it says my brethren count it all joy when you Fall into various trials think about that for a minute Count it all joy when you fall into various trials I mean we know that we can read it in the word, but I have a question for you How well do you handle that personally and it goes on to say knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. [00:17:46] (41 seconds)

Celebrate these various trials and still remain in joy. I mean, let's get real here for a minute We don't really do that real well And I think there's a way based off of the word that teaches us how we can actually maintain that joy when we're in a place of challenge and suffering amen and I can tell you this All the stuff that happened to my mother and everything that took place with her What I saw after all of that happened was the testimony and testifying that took place in the Hospital and with the people and the nurses and everything else so I saw this joy by what God did through her situation. [00:19:15] (43 seconds)

And what I believe about this verse, I actually believe that this is a perfect definition of your identity in Jesus Christ, is if you walk in patience, you're being made perfect and complete through him, lacking nothing, but just praising the Lord for everything he's doing in your life. What a powerful definition of identity in Jesus Christ. Amen? I would hold on to that scripture for yourself, James 1, 4, and know that you should be patient, being held complete through the Lord and not worrying. About anything. [00:21:41] (36 seconds)

And the reason I wanted to bring this message to us is because I feel like that we react and respond to the trial in our own minds, in our own way, before we start inviting Jesus into it. It's almost like we do. It's backwards when we should be going, Lord, I need you right now. Show me the way. How do you want this to be a testimony that's going to help people step into the kingdom of God? [00:22:51] (23 seconds)

I have never felt better in my life when I'm able to help somebody grow and prosper in whatever it is going on in their life. If it's a spiritual thing or even in a work environment, I never feel so fulfilled when I help them. And then I see them blossom and prosper. Amen. Have you ever helped somebody before and you saw some transformation in your life? Man, it made you feel so good that you were just there in that moment. [00:25:50] (28 seconds)

I'm going to give you guys a perfect example of what that looks like. Chaplain Gary, Gary Farmer right here in our church. Yeah. Amen. Amen. Great man of God. And, and, and this is how I met him. Somebody gave him my phone number because he was struggling with something in his life. And he called me and said, Hey, I hear you do prayer sessions. Will you sit down and do a prayer with me? So I said, yes. And he comes over and I meet him for the first time at my front door at my home so that we can pray over this area. He's struggling and he's struggling with an identity that the world is trying to put on him. [00:26:51] (39 seconds)

And because I saw who he was in Christ, I refused to accept what the world was trying to say he was. I refused it. And I said, man, I'm going to walk with you. I didn't do anything but walk with him. I was available. I talked with him. God did everything and every restoration in his life. I didn't do anything. I was just available to be there. And I'm telling you right now that God wants to do those things in your life too, because he started it at the foundation of the earth. [00:29:38] (29 seconds)

Being last means you trust in God. And when we let go and strive to stop striving to be first, you are declaring that you trust God for your outcome. That he. Is going to work things out for good in your life. Amen. Because he cares for you. He wants to exalt you and build you up. Amen. [00:37:42] (28 seconds)

Listen, church, our faith deepens. When we surrender the need of control for outcomes. Listen to that again. Our faith deepens when we surrender the need to control every outcome. So good. You know why that is? It's because God's kingdom does not operate on human outcomes. It operates in the kingdom of God. [00:39:48] (38 seconds)

Jesus literally teaches us the true greatness comes from us serving others. That's where true greatness comes from. EI, Jesus Christ, right? He was the greatest one of all, came to serve all of us. Amen. Amen. It says in Matthew 23, it says, but he, who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That is so powerful. [00:41:03] (27 seconds)

Caring for your brothers and sisters and the people around you in need and a community that has needs. Caring, reaching out to them, providing anything that you can to help somebody else. That's greatness. The greatness we have already been laid out by Jesus for our lives. We just got to choose to follow it. [00:42:57] (26 seconds)

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