Finding True Joy and Satisfaction in God

 

Summary

In today's message, I shared a personal journey of discovering joy and satisfaction in God, which has transformed my life and ministry. Reflecting on Philippians 1:6, I am reminded of God's continuous work in our lives, shaping us for His glory. My journey began with a prayer for guidance and growth, leading me to Cornerstone, where I found a nurturing environment to learn and serve. Over time, God has been stirring a desire in my heart to plant a church, a calling that has been affirmed through prayer, counsel, and circumstances.

This journey has taught me the importance of joy in our walk with God. Initially, my Christian life was marked by a sense of duty and sacrifice, often viewing God's commands as burdensome. However, through the teachings of John Piper and personal experiences, I have come to understand that God is most glorified when we find our deepest satisfaction in Him. This realization has shifted my perspective, helping me see God's commands not as restrictions but as pathways to true life and joy.

The essence of this joy is rooted in being filled with the Holy Spirit, as described in Ephesians 5:18. It's a continuous process, much like staying drunk requires constant drinking, being filled with the Spirit requires ongoing engagement with God through worship, fellowship, and thanksgiving. This joy is not about faking happiness but experiencing genuine peace and contentment in God's presence.

As we embark on a series about joy, I encourage you to seek this deep satisfaction in God. Let us live lives that reflect the joy of the Holy Spirit, making our faith attractive to others. When we are truly satisfied in God, we bring Him glory, and others will be drawn to the source of our joy.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Continuous Work: Philippians 1:6 reminds us that God is always at work in our lives, shaping us for His glory. This ongoing process requires trust and openness to His leading, even when it involves stepping into the unknown. [00:43]

2. Joy in Obedience: Initially, God's commands may seem burdensome, but as we grow, we realize they lead to true life and joy. Obedience is not about sacrifice but about finding satisfaction in God's ways. [19:11]

3. Satisfaction and Glory: God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him. This satisfaction is not about denying ourselves but about embracing the joy and peace that come from a deep relationship with God. [21:39]

4. Being Filled with the Spirit: Ephesians 5:18 teaches us to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. This involves regular worship, fellowship, and thanksgiving, which keep us connected to God's joy. [35:12]

5. Living a Joyful Life: Our goal should be to live as the most joyful people on earth, bringing glory to God through our satisfaction in Him. This joy is contagious and draws others to the beauty of a life lived in God's presence. [42:46]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:06] - Exciting Announcement
- [00:30] - God's Continuous Work
- [01:17] - Personal Journey and Growth
- [02:43] - The Call to Plant a Church
- [03:47] - Conviction and Openness
- [05:10] - Desire to Teach and Lead
- [07:00] - Affirmation and Confirmation
- [08:18] - Called to Rockwall, Texas
- [10:22] - Mixed Emotions and Joy
- [13:20] - Learning Joy in the Journey
- [15:21] - Understanding God's Commands
- [20:46] - Satisfaction and God's Glory
- [32:18] - Filled with the Spirit
- [42:46] - Living a Joyful Life

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 1:6
2. Ephesians 5:18
3. Galatians 5:22

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Philippians 1:6, what assurance do we have about God's work in our lives? How does this relate to the pastor's personal journey shared in the sermon? [00:43]

2. In Ephesians 5:18, what is the contrast made between being drunk on wine and being filled with the Spirit? How does this analogy help us understand the process of being filled with the Spirit? [32:31]

3. How does the pastor describe his initial perception of God's commands, and what changed his perspective over time? [16:49]

4. What role did the teachings of John Piper play in the pastor's understanding of joy and satisfaction in God? [20:17]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the assurance in Philippians 1:6 encourage believers to trust in God's ongoing work, even when stepping into the unknown? [00:43]

2. What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" according to Ephesians 5:18, and how can this lead to genuine joy in a believer's life? [32:31]

3. How does the pastor's journey from viewing God's commands as burdensome to seeing them as pathways to joy reflect a deeper understanding of God's character? [16:49]

4. In what ways does the concept that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him" challenge traditional views of sacrifice and obedience? [20:30]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was actively working in your life. How did that experience shape your trust in His plans, even when they were unclear? [00:43]

2. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are continually being filled with the Spirit, as described in Ephesians 5:18? Consider your daily routines of worship, fellowship, and thanksgiving. [32:31]

3. Think about an area of your life where you view God's commands as burdensome. How can you shift your perspective to see these commands as pathways to joy and life? [16:49]

4. How can you cultivate a deeper satisfaction in God that naturally brings Him glory? Identify one area in your life where you can seek greater contentment in His presence. [20:30]

5. The pastor mentioned the importance of sharing personal experiences with God to encourage others. How can you incorporate this practice into your interactions with fellow believers this week? [37:36]

6. Consider the role of joy in your faith journey. How can you make your faith more attractive to others by living a life filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit? [42:46]

7. Identify one specific way you can express gratitude to God for everything in your life, as encouraged in Ephesians 5:20. How might this practice transform your daily outlook? [41:08]

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Continuous Work
God is always at work in our lives, shaping us for His glory. This ongoing process requires trust and openness to His leading, even when it involves stepping into the unknown. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that God, who began a good work in us, will carry it on to completion. This assurance allows us to embrace the journey with faith, knowing that every step is part of His divine plan. As we navigate life's uncertainties, we can find peace in the knowledge that God is actively involved in our transformation, guiding us toward His purposes. [00:43]

"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel uncertain or hesitant? How can you trust God to work in that area today?


Day 2: Joyful Obedience
Initially, God's commands may seem burdensome, but as we grow, we realize they lead to true life and joy. Obedience is not about sacrifice but about finding satisfaction in God's ways. When we align our lives with His commands, we discover a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose. This shift in perspective transforms our understanding of obedience from a duty to a delight, as we experience the joy that comes from living in harmony with God's will. [19:11]

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!" (Psalm 119:1, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a command from God that you find challenging. How can you reframe your perspective to see it as a pathway to joy rather than a burden?


Day 3: Satisfaction and God's Glory
God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him. This satisfaction is not about denying ourselves but about embracing the joy and peace that come from a deep relationship with God. When we find our deepest satisfaction in Him, we reflect His glory to the world. This understanding invites us to pursue a life where our desires align with God's, leading to a profound sense of contentment and purpose. [21:39]

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you." (Psalm 73:25, ESV)

Reflection: What is one desire or pursuit in your life that competes with your satisfaction in God? How can you redirect that desire towards Him today?


Day 4: Being Filled with the Spirit
Ephesians 5:18 teaches us to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. This involves regular worship, fellowship, and thanksgiving, which keep us connected to God's joy. Being filled with the Spirit is a dynamic and ongoing process that requires intentional engagement with God. As we immerse ourselves in His presence, we experience the transformative power of the Spirit, leading to a life marked by genuine joy and peace. [35:12]

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to engage more deeply with the Holy Spirit through worship, fellowship, or thanksgiving?


Day 5: Living a Joyful Life
Our goal should be to live as the most joyful people on earth, bringing glory to God through our satisfaction in Him. This joy is contagious and draws others to the beauty of a life lived in God's presence. As we embody the joy of the Holy Spirit, we become living testimonies of God's goodness, inviting others to experience the same fulfillment. By prioritizing our relationship with God, we cultivate a joy that transcends circumstances and radiates His love to the world. [42:46]

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally share the joy of your relationship with God with someone else today? What specific action can you take to reflect His joy to those around you?

Quotes



I am certain that God who began the good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. And when I think of that verse, I just think back in my Christian life with the Lord. He saved me when I was 18. [00:00:37]

I began to pray for two things in particular, I mean two very specific things. Lord, I really pray that you'll put me in a church where there's a healthy Elder board, just Godly men who love you and will pursue you. And then I really pray that God please put me underneath someone to work and learn from them. [00:02:00]

I just remember there just be these tense moments and I'm a very intense person. I don't know if you noticed it. I can just get so intense and so frustrated about these details. And you know, I'd look over at Doug and he would just be like on the verge of laughter. [00:12:55]

I just was not a joyful person. Joy had nothing to do with my walk with the Lord. My walk with the Lord was so much about suffering for him and sacrificing for him. And it just seems like the more I've grown in my walk with the Lord, the more I've understood joy. [00:13:28]

I remember reading verses like Psalm 119, you know, the whole chapter about how this guy loves God's law. And there's verses like verse 131. He says, I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. What? You open your mouth and pant, longing for commands? [00:15:42]

I read, I started reading this author a few years ago, a guy by the name of John Piper. I don't know if you've read any of his works, but at first when I started reading, I just thought this isn't right. There's something wrong about what he's saying because it was so different. [00:20:15]

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. Thought, you know, and I began to read it and this was like nothing I had learned in Bible College. You know, this whole idea of finding pleasure in God, you know, for me it was all don't do this, don't do this. [00:20:33]

When I tell you about this relationship I have with God, if I could be that type of person where I could just really every week tell you, man, this week I had some time with God where you guys, I was just so, so happy. I'd get time away from my time with God. [00:27:48]

The truth is, if we really all found that satisfaction in God, who gets the glory? Not me, it's him. Man, when I walk around telling people what God's done in my life, you know, and just start naming everything and the joy he's brought in my life, what are they say? [00:28:56]

You can't have true Joy without the holy spirit. So what we do is we start with being filled with the Holy Spirit. And I love Ephesians chapter 5:18 because he starts off Ephesians 5:18, he says do not get drunk on wine. [00:32:16]

Being filled with the spirit isn't something that happens to you at one point in your life and just lasts forever. You come over, you know, walk the aisle, touch you on the head, you fall over, start drooling, and okay, now the spirit's in me, you know, for the rest of my life. [00:35:19]

The Bible says being filled with the spirit, it goes on, he says speak to one another with Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. He says you want to stay filled with the spirit, you want to keep, you know, this Joy of God in your life, he goes then speak to one another. [00:37:08]

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Transcript
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