Finding Strength in the Joy of the Lord
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound truth that the joy of the Lord is our strength. This joy is not derived from our circumstances, relationships, or material possessions, which are all subject to change. Instead, it comes from Jesus, who is constant and unchanging. We delved into Romans 15:13, which speaks of the God of hope filling us with joy and peace through the experience of our faith. This faith is not built in moments of ease but in trials and valleys, where we learn to trust in God's promises and see His faithfulness.
We also discussed the importance of taking ownership of our faith. This means actively engaging in our spiritual growth, not relying on others to maintain our relationship with God. We are called to be doers of the Word, not just hearers. This involves a commitment to attending church, giving generously, and serving passionately. True faith is a living, growing relationship with Jesus, requiring us to deny ourselves and follow Him wholeheartedly.
The essence of owning our faith is to actively engage in actions that produce spiritual growth and transformation. This is not a passive endeavor but a radical commitment. We are responsible for our spiritual maturity and must continually seek to deepen our relationship with God. This includes reading the Word, praying, and sharing our faith with others. By doing so, we not only transform our own lives but also impact those around us.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Source of True Joy: Our joy should not be dependent on our circumstances, relationships, or material possessions, which are all fleeting. True joy comes from Jesus, who is constant and unchanging. This joy strengthens us and sustains us through all of life's ups and downs. [17:18]
2. Faith Grows in Trials: Romans 15:13 teaches us that joy and peace come through the experience of our faith, especially in trials and valleys. It is in these challenging moments that our faith gains experience, and we learn to trust in God's promises, leading to a deeper hope and confidence in Him. [19:19]
3. Taking Ownership of Our Faith: We are called to take responsibility for our spiritual growth. This means actively engaging in our faith through reading the Word, praying, and living out our beliefs. We cannot rely on others to maintain our relationship with God; it is our personal responsibility. [49:15]
4. Active Engagement in Faith: Philippians 2:12-13 encourages us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This involves actively engaging in actions that produce spiritual growth and transformation. It is God who works in us, giving us both the desire and the ability to grow in our faith. [01:02:49]
5. Impacting Others Through Our Faith: Owning our faith means sharing it with others. We are called to be the light of the world, boldly proclaiming the hope and joy we have in Jesus. By doing so, we can transform not only our lives but also the lives of those around us, leading them to a relationship with Christ. [01:18:11]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[17:18] - The Source of True Joy
[18:08] - Joy in the Lord's Protection
[19:19] - Faith Grows in Trials
[20:35] - Hope and Confidence in God's Promises
[21:07] - Overflowing with Confidence
[22:22] - Building Faith in Worship
[23:12] - The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength
[23:44] - Invitation to Prayer
[24:24] - Speaking Joy and Peace
[25:09] - National Day of Praise and Worship
[40:54] - Welcome to Limitless Church
[46:04] - What It Means to Be a Follower of Jesus
[49:15] - Taking Ownership of Our Faith
[50:23] - Living Set Apart
[51:20] - Denying Ourselves to Follow Jesus
[57:08] - Selfish Christianity vs. True Faith
[01:02:49] - Working Out Our Salvation
[01:18:11] - Impacting Others Through Our Faith
[01:28:23] - Commitment to Own Our Faith
[01:35:52] - Invitation to Salvation and Baptism
[01:38:55] - Challenge to Own Your Faith
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 15:13 (NIV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
2. Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV): "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
3. James 1:22 (NIV): "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 15:13, what are the two things that God fills us with as we trust in Him? How does this filling affect us? [19:19]
2. In Philippians 2:12-13, what does Paul mean by "work out your salvation with fear and trembling"? What role does God play in this process? [01:02:49]
3. James 1:22 emphasizes the importance of being doers of the Word. What does it mean to be a "doer" rather than just a "listener"? [01:14:10]
4. The sermon mentioned that true joy comes from Jesus and not from our circumstances. What are some examples given in the sermon that illustrate this point? [17:18]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Romans 15:13 speaks of joy and peace coming through faith. How do trials and valleys contribute to the growth of our faith and the experience of joy and peace? [19:19]
2. Philippians 2:12-13 talks about working out our salvation. What are some practical ways we can actively engage in actions that produce spiritual growth and transformation? [01:02:49]
3. The sermon emphasized taking ownership of our faith. What does it mean to take personal responsibility for our spiritual growth, and why is this important? [49:15]
4. James 1:22 warns against merely listening to the Word. How can we ensure that we are actively applying God's Word in our daily lives? [01:14:10]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent trial or valley you have experienced. How did this situation impact your faith? Did you find joy and peace through trusting in God during this time? [19:19]
2. The sermon mentioned the importance of actively engaging in our faith through reading the Word, praying, and living out our beliefs. What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with God? [49:15]
3. Taking ownership of our faith involves a commitment to spiritual growth. What are some areas in your life where you need to take more responsibility for your spiritual maturity? How can you start making changes today? [49:15]
4. Philippians 2:12-13 encourages us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. What are some practical actions you can take to actively engage in your faith and produce spiritual growth? [01:02:49]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of sharing our faith with others. Identify one person in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you share the hope and joy you have in Christ with them this week? [01:18:11]
6. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there any areas where you have become passive or complacent? What changes can you make to become more active and intentional in your faith journey? [01:02:49]
7. The sermon mentioned that true faith is a living, growing relationship with Jesus. How can you cultivate this relationship in your daily life? What specific actions will you take to ensure that your faith is continually growing? [01:00:13]
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional
Day 1: The Unchanging Source of Joy
Description: True joy is not dependent on our ever-changing circumstances, relationships, or material possessions. Instead, it is rooted in Jesus, who is constant and unchanging. This joy, derived from our relationship with Him, provides us with strength and sustains us through life's ups and downs. When we focus on Jesus, we find a joy that transcends our temporary situations and gives us the resilience to face challenges with a hopeful heart. This joy is a gift from God, meant to uplift and empower us in every season of life. [17:18]
Bible Passage: "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." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where your joy was challenged by difficult circumstances. How can you shift your focus to Jesus and find joy in Him despite those challenges?
Day 2: Faith Strengthened Through Trials
Description: Romans 15:13 teaches us that joy and peace come through the experience of our faith, especially in trials and valleys. It is in these challenging moments that our faith gains experience, and we learn to trust in God's promises, leading to a deeper hope and confidence in Him. Trials are not meant to break us but to build us up, refining our faith and drawing us closer to God. As we navigate through difficulties, we witness God's faithfulness and grow in our reliance on Him, which in turn strengthens our faith and fills us with His peace and joy. [19:19]
Bible Passage: "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: Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How did this experience help you grow in your faith and trust in God's promises?
Day 3: Taking Ownership of Our Faith
Description: We are called to take responsibility for our spiritual growth. This means actively engaging in our faith through reading the Word, praying, and living out our beliefs. We cannot rely on others to maintain our relationship with God; it is our personal responsibility. True faith is a living, growing relationship with Jesus, requiring us to deny ourselves and follow Him wholeheartedly. By taking ownership of our faith, we commit to a journey of continuous spiritual growth and transformation, ensuring that our relationship with God remains vibrant and strong. [49:15]
Bible Passage: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like." (James 1:22-24, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to actively engage in your faith and take ownership of your spiritual growth?
Day 4: Active Engagement in Faith
Description: Philippians 2:12-13 encourages us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This involves actively engaging in actions that produce spiritual growth and transformation. It is God who works in us, giving us both the desire and the ability to grow in our faith. Our spiritual journey is not passive but requires intentional effort and commitment. By actively participating in our faith, we allow God to work through us, shaping us into His likeness and enabling us to live out our faith in meaningful and impactful ways. [01:02:49]
Bible Passage: "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you can be more intentional in your spiritual growth. What practical steps can you take to actively engage in your faith in this area?
Day 5: Impacting Others Through Our Faith
Description: Owning our faith means sharing it with others. We are called to be the light of the world, boldly proclaiming the hope and joy we have in Jesus. By doing so, we can transform not only our lives but also the lives of those around us, leading them to a relationship with Christ. Our faith is not meant to be kept to ourselves but to be shared, impacting our communities and the world. As we live out our faith authentically and passionately, we become vessels of God's love and grace, drawing others to Him and making a lasting difference in their lives. [01:18:11]
Bible Passage: "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to hear about the hope and joy found in Jesus. How can you share your faith with them in a loving and impactful way today?
Quotes
1. "The joy of the Lord is my strength. It's this opportunity to say, you know what, God? No matter what's going on in my situation. No matter where I'm at. If I am on the mountain top or if I am in the valley. God, the joy of the Lord is my strength. My joy is not coming from my circumstance. It's not coming from my situation. It's not coming from my bank account. It's not coming from my relationship. Because all of these things change." [17:18] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "My joy is coming from something that remains the same. My joy is coming from something that is constant. My joy is coming from Jesus. Because these other things, they change. These other things, my bank account may not be looking like I want it to. But I can't heap my joy there. Because on payday it might look good, but the next day it might not. My joy can't be there. My joy can't be in relationships. My joy can't be in these things that are fleeting." [18:08] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "It is not in the high moments that your faith gains experience. It's not when everything is going great and you're like, my life is amazing, that your faith is gaining experience. It is in those trials. It is in those valley moments. It is in the midst of those storms, those things that seem insurmountable, that your faith gains experience. And he says that you will have joy and peace in believing through the experience of your faith." [19:19] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When I have an experience that I'm walking through. And I hold on to Jesus. And I hold on to what the word of God says. When I see the other side of that. When I get to the other side of that. There is a hope and a confidence that I have when the next thing comes. Why? Because I've seen him be faithful. I've seen him do it time and time again. I've seen him work it out. And so now when I get into another valley. When I see another trial, I'm like, oh, yeah. I'm ready now. I got hope now." [20:35] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I pray that as we go into this next portion of our worship that you would begin to remember the promises that God has for you. That you, maybe you're not at a point where you're overflowing in confidence. Maybe it's this place where that thing just needs to start building up. And this is your opportunity to do that. To declare the goodness of God. To declare the name of Jesus over your circumstance. To declare the name of Jesus over the things that are happening. As you begin to declare it, that thing starts building up on the inside of you." [22:22] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We are not just hearers of the word. We are doers of the word. We take ownership of our faith. The second thing, we are committed to attending when the doors are open. Because we believe in the power of the assembly and what can happen when we are together in the room. We're committed to attending. The third thing is we give generously. Why? Because we are grateful for what we have received generously and we trust God to use us and to use our resources to fulfill his will and to build his kingdom." [49:15] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We are called to take ownership of our faith. It is our responsibility to make sure that we, in our word, that we are growing as believers, that it's our, we take ownership. We're called to take ownership of our faith, to take responsibility for our spiritual growth, to be committed to living a life and making choices that align with our belief, to be accountable for our actions and our growth as believers. We are called not to sit back. And just wait for heaven, not to continue to hear the word of the Lord and do nothing to see people in need and do nothing to see the areas that God is constantly calling us to grow and do better in and do nothing." [55:54] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Passive Christianity, Christianity that sees Jesus as a part of your life and not the foundation of your life is not Christianity at all. It is not Christianity at all. Listen, I love you. I love your, your, your, your family. You cannot leave your faith up to your parents. My grandma came to church and my mama came to church. Now I come to church. So, so I'm, I'm saved. No, that's not how it works. I love it. I love the story. I love that for you. That's not how it works. Attendance doesn't equal salvation." [01:00:13] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "True faith is a living and it is a growing thing. It is not mere. It is not merely a belief, but it is a life commitment to Jesus. It is a life commitment to follow Jesus. That's what true faith is. Philippians 2 verse 12 says, So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and love. For it is God who is at work in you, both to desire to work for his and to work for his good pleasure." [01:02:49] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "The essence of the Christian faith is not just a set of beliefs in a book. It is a personal relationship with Jesus. And to own your faith is to actively engage in that relationship every single day. Limitless, we are called to own our faith. We are called to pursue a relationship with Christ and to continually grow in him. None of us, I don't care how long you've been saved. 50 years, 60 years, you could have been saved a hundred years. None of us have arrived at a place to where we are fully grown in Christ." [01:11:22] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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