Finding Lasting Joy in Our Relationship with God
Summary
In this third week of Advent, we gather to reflect on the profound theme of joy, as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christmas. The passage from Isaiah 35 serves as our guide, reminding us that joy is not merely a fleeting emotion tied to our circumstances but a deep-seated assurance rooted in our relationship with God. As we navigate the complexities of life, we often find ourselves clinging loosely to joy, allowing the enemy to dislodge it from our grasp. Yet, the joy we seek is not found in the temporary pleasures of this world but in the eternal promises of God.
The analogy of football illustrates how easily joy can be disrupted, much like a player losing the ball. The enemy seeks to steal our joy, as described in John 10:10, but we are reminded that joy and happiness are distinct. Happiness is circumstantial, while joy is anchored in the Lord. The world often perceives Christians as lacking joy, and we must examine whether we have allowed comparison and worldly distractions to rob us of our joy.
Isaiah 35 paints a picture of a highway of holiness, a path where joy and holiness intersect. Holiness, often perceived as somber, is actually a path to joy. It is a journey of being set apart for God, where even the unclean cannot tread. This path is not about our achievements but about embracing the joy found in Christ. The redeemed walk this path, free from the dangers of the world, secure in the knowledge that their joy is everlasting.
As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus, who made a way for us on this highway of holiness. It is a moment to reflect, confess, and realign our hearts with the joy that comes from knowing Him. This joy is not just for today but echoes into eternity, as we look forward to the city of Zion, where sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Key Takeaways:
1. Joy vs. Happiness: Joy is distinct from happiness, as it is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in our relationship with God. While happiness is fleeting, joy is a steadfast assurance that comes from knowing Christ. [31:38]
2. The Enemy's Tactics: The enemy seeks to dislodge our joy, much like a football player losing the ball. We must guard our joy by anchoring it in the eternal promises of God, rather than the temporary pleasures of this world. [32:34]
3. Holiness and Joy: The path of holiness is a journey of joy, where we are set apart for God. It is not about somberness but about embracing the joy found in being redeemed and walking in the way of holiness. [39:07]
4. The Way of the Redeemed: The redeemed walk a path free from the dangers of the world, secure in the knowledge that their joy is everlasting. This path is not about our achievements but about embracing the joy found in Christ. [50:14]
5. Eternal Joy: Our joy is not limited to this life but echoes into eternity. We look forward to the city of Zion, where sorrow and sighing will flee away, and our joy will be complete in the presence of God. [55:34]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [28:52] - Football and Joy
- [30:35] - The Enemy's Tactics
- [31:38] - Joy vs. Happiness
- [32:34] - Christians and Joy
- [34:14] - Joy in the Lord
- [35:29] - Finding Joy in Tension
- [36:33] - Isaiah 35 Context
- [37:26] - Seeing God's Glory
- [38:35] - Lasting Joy
- [39:07] - Holiness and Joy
- [41:09] - Entertainment and Joy
- [43:23] - Escaping Reality
- [44:38] - Vices and Joy
- [45:28] - The Way of Holiness
- [50:14] - The Redeemed's Path
- [54:03] - No Danger on the Path
- [54:58] - Eternal Joy
- [55:34] - The City of Zion
- [56:45] - Worship and Centering
- [57:23] - Communion Invitation
- [58:15] - Confession and Reflection
- [59:09] - A Holy Moment
- [01:00:09] - Communion Elements
- [01:05:21] - Bread and Body
- [01:11:59] - Blood and Forgiveness
- [01:12:34] - Lingering in His Presence
- [01:13:42] - Life Beyond This World
- [01:14:33] - Benediction and Sending
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 35:8-10
- John 10:10
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah 35:8-10 describe as the "highway of holiness," and who is allowed to walk on it? [39:07]
2. According to John 10:10, what are the intentions of the thief, and how does this relate to the concept of joy discussed in the sermon? [31:38]
3. How does the sermon use the analogy of football to explain the enemy's tactics in stealing our joy? [30:35]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the distinction between joy and happiness, as discussed in the sermon, affect a believer's daily life and spiritual journey? [31:38]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that holiness and joy are interconnected, and how might this understanding change one's perspective on living a holy life? [39:07]
3. What does the sermon imply about the role of worldly distractions and comparisons in the loss of joy among Christians? [32:34]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt your joy was being "dislodged." How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time to guard your joy? [30:35]
2. The sermon mentions that joy is rooted in our relationship with God rather than external circumstances. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God to experience this kind of joy? [31:38]
3. Consider the "highway of holiness" described in Isaiah 35. What practical steps can you take to walk this path in your daily life? [39:07]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of not allowing comparison to steal our joy. Identify an area in your life where comparison has affected your joy, and discuss how you can overcome this challenge. [32:34]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of confession and reflection, as mentioned in the sermon, into your routine to realign your heart with the joy found in Christ? [58:15]
6. The sermon speaks of eternal joy and the anticipation of the city of Zion. How does this future hope influence your current perspective on life's challenges? [55:34]
7. Think about a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. What steps can you take this week to minimize that distraction and center your heart on Him? [56:45]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Joy Anchored in Relationship with God
Joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in our relationship with God. It is a deep-seated assurance that transcends fleeting emotions and is anchored in the eternal promises of God. Unlike happiness, which is often tied to our immediate situations, joy remains steadfast because it is grounded in the knowledge of Christ and His love for us. This joy is a gift that sustains us through life's complexities and challenges, offering a sense of peace and contentment that the world cannot provide. [31:38]
Isaiah 12:2-3 (ESV): "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation."
Reflection: Consider a recent situation where you felt your joy slipping away. How can you intentionally root your joy in your relationship with God today?
Day 2: Guarding Joy Against the Enemy's Tactics
The enemy seeks to dislodge our joy, much like a football player losing the ball. This analogy highlights the importance of being vigilant in guarding our joy against the distractions and comparisons that the world offers. Joy is not found in temporary pleasures but in the eternal promises of God. By anchoring our joy in these promises, we can resist the enemy's attempts to steal it away. It requires a conscious effort to focus on what is eternal rather than what is fleeting. [32:34]
Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV): "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: Identify one area in your life where you feel the enemy is trying to steal your joy. What steps can you take to guard your joy in this area today?
Day 3: Holiness as a Path to Joy
Holiness is often misunderstood as somberness, but it is actually a journey of joy. It is a path where we are set apart for God, embracing the joy found in being redeemed and walking in the way of holiness. This path is not about our achievements but about the joy that comes from knowing Christ and being secure in His love. As we walk this path, we find that joy and holiness intersect, leading us to a deeper understanding of God's purpose for our lives. [39:07]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of holiness. How can you embrace holiness as a path to joy in your daily life?
Day 4: The Redeemed's Path to Everlasting Joy
The redeemed walk a path free from the dangers of the world, secure in the knowledge that their joy is everlasting. This path is not about our achievements but about embracing the joy found in Christ. As we walk this path, we are reminded that our joy is not limited to this life but echoes into eternity. It is a journey of being set apart for God, where we find true fulfillment and purpose. [50:14]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt secure in your joy. How can you cultivate a sense of everlasting joy in your current circumstances?
Day 5: Eternal Joy in the Presence of God
Our joy is not limited to this life but echoes into eternity. We look forward to the city of Zion, where sorrow and sighing will flee away, and our joy will be complete in the presence of God. This eternal perspective reminds us that the joy we experience now is just a foretaste of what is to come. As we live in anticipation of this future joy, we are encouraged to remain steadfast in our faith and to find hope in the promises of God. [55:34]
Revelation 21:4 (ESV): "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Reflection: How does the promise of eternal joy influence your perspective on current challenges? What can you do today to live with an eternal perspective?
Quotes
"One of the tactics of the enemy is to dislodge the joy out of your life. And I've seen it happen so many times. I've seen Christians who go through a myriad of experiences. You think about all the experiences that we're having here. We hold on to our joy really loosely sometimes. And all of a sudden, the thief comes. This is what John 10:10 says that the thief comes to do. To steal, kill, and destroy. And that's what he does. And often he's trying to always dislodge joy from our life." [00:31:16] (39 seconds)
"And so when we think about joy, and we think about sometimes losing joy. Now listen, joy and happiness is incredibly different, right? One of our, John Coxey gives me a candy bar every Sunday. Okay? That makes me happy. Okay? Right? There's a difference between joy and happiness. Candy makes me happy. My team winning a game makes me happy. My joy is not founded on them. My joy is not founded on those things." [00:32:01] (33 seconds)
"Because often when our joy is secure in the Lord and we look to the Lord for our joy, and that we know that He is our Father, Christ is our Savior, the Holy Spirit is a counselor, that those things are solid in our life and we get joy out of those relationships, He has absolutely no leverage on you whatsoever. No indictment on you when we understand that. You see a person who loves the Lord and has joy in the Lord. Joy in the Lord is a stronger saint." [00:33:53] (34 seconds)
"So when we come here and we look at this topic of joy, what does it look like to be joyful in this place? What does it look like to be joyful in this relationship with the Lord? Because happiness is going to come and go. Some people are going to give you chocolate, some people are not. Some of your teams are going to win, some are not. Some of your 401ks are going to tank and some are not. Some of your businesses are going to do good and some of them are not. The Lord gives and he takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." [00:35:29] (29 seconds)
"The way of holiness is a path of joy. I will tell you, I've heard that that's a church word, holiness. It means separate, that God is separate apart from us. We're not like him. We talk about holy things, a holy moment. A sacred moment. It's something that is set apart. And often when you think of holiness, I don't know if we really mix joy in there, right? Because sometimes when we take the word holiness, we think of somberness, seriousness." [00:39:03] (39 seconds)
"Why would the path of holiness be the way to joy? You're going to see this passage kind of flow out this way. Look what it says in verse 8. Verse 8. The highway will be there. In this wilderness, when the dry land where people are going to be glad, there's a highway there. And it shall be called, they named this highway, the way of holiness. Here's what happens on that highway. No unclean shall pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way. Even if they are fools, they shall not go astray." [00:39:43] (40 seconds)
"See, God is dedicated to your holiness. He wants you to walk in this way. Here's why it's so hard. In our life, it's a shared space. We live up in a shared space. Jesus talked about the wheat and the tares that will grow up and there's tension there. We can't get away from it. We've tried to so many times. When you walk out of this place, you're going to see all kinds of things of the world. But God has made you for holy things." [00:49:12] (27 seconds)
"That's where we're going and that's what God is doing to us. So here it is. The first thing I want you to know and see from this is the way of holiness is a path of joy. How does holiness and joy come together? Because the path of joy is the path of the redeemed. This is what the redeemed walk in. Joy is just not a mixed bag that you find here. Joy is not a mixed bag that you find here. Joy is not a mixed bag that you find here. Joy starts with Jesus. Now look at what's not there." [00:49:48] (27 seconds)
"Here's the third thing I want you to see is that the way of the redeemed leads to everlasting joy. Look at the last verse. And the ransom of the Lord shall return. That's who walked along the way. The come to Zion was singing. Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. They shall attain gladness and joy. And sorrow and sighing shall flee away. You see, going back, as we hold our joy, the enemy is going to try to punch this out all the time. All the time." [00:54:34] (34 seconds)
"And it's easy to do in this life to lose your joy. A lot of things can take it away from you. But can I tell you that this life is not all there is? This is what we need to really, really hone in on. Because I think a lot of us, including myself, we live like this is all. This is all it is. Church, this is not all that it is. Your life echoes into eternity. There is a city coming, the city of Zion." [00:55:06] (27 seconds)
"And that is where there will be no sighing. That is where every tear will be wiped away. That is where the God of all the universe sits on the throne. That is where our joy is complete. That is our home. That is where we're going. That is where our spirits are made purpose. That is where the things that happen. And here Hebrews 12 says, You have come to Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable angels and festive gathering, the enrollment of heaven, to God the judge to all, and the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, sprinkled with his blood." [00:55:34] (43 seconds)
"That's where we obtain joy and gladness. Sorrow shall flee away. What happens, guys? So much in our life is that often joy and sorrow are mixed in this life. I don't know where you are today. I don't know where your life is intersecting. I don't know if you're reaching for joy, but sorrow has made it into your heart. The worship service centers us today. That's why we've come today." [00:56:17] (36 seconds)
Chatbot
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