Finding True Joy Through Forgiveness and Faith
Summary
The sermon explores the themes of fear, forgiveness, focus on God, and the pursuit of true joy. It begins with a reflection on Luke 2:8, where shepherds are visited by an angel who tells them not to be afraid. This message is paralleled with the idea that the Gospel allows individuals to live without fear. The sermon series "Beyond the Wrapping Paper" is introduced, suggesting a deeper message from God beyond material gifts.
The importance of letting go of resentment to experience true joy is emphasized through the story of Joseph, who forgave Mary upon learning of her pregnancy with Jesus. This act of forgiveness allowed him to receive the blessing of raising the Son of God. The sermon also references Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount, highlighting that joy comes from a spiritual place, not earthly possessions.
The speaker urges the congregation to fix their focus on God's presence rather than their circumstances, stating that true joy comes from a relationship with Jesus. The audience is encouraged to put their faith in Jesus, confess their sins, and repent. The path to life and discovering God's will is through Jesus, and joy can only be found in Him.
Forgiveness is further discussed as the speaker reflects on how God forgave humanity through Jesus Christ. The congregation is encouraged to extend the same forgiveness and grace to others that they have received from God. The story of Joseph is revisited, emphasizing his choice to divorce Mary quietly, which allowed him to let go of resentment and experience joy.
Salvation through Jesus is highlighted as the speaker encourages belief and confession of sins. The joy of receiving good news and a second chance at life is compared to the joy felt by cancer survivors who have been given a new lease on life.
The speaker discusses trusting in God and finding joy in difficult circumstances, using Mary's response to the angel's message as an example. Despite uncertainty, Mary's trust in God brought her joy. The sermon contrasts the temporary nature of happiness with the deeper, lasting joy that comes from God.
The speaker reflects on the pursuit of happiness and the emptiness that comes from chasing worldly things. The sermon warns against the temporary pleasure of sin and encourages choosing eternal things of God. The apostle Paul and King Solomon are referenced as examples of individuals who recognized that worldly possessions and achievements hold no true value compared to knowing Christ.
Rejoicing and finding joy in difficult circumstances are explored through Paul's encouragement in Philippians 4:4 to rejoice in the Lord always. The sermon admires Paul's ability to find joy in any circumstance and briefly mentions Mary's stress and fear during her pregnancy.
The concept of joy being countercultural to the world's ways is discussed, with the apostles rejoicing after being beaten for their faith as an example. The gospel promotes forgiveness and finding joy in difficult circumstances, which goes against the world's principle of retaliation and holding grudges.
David's journey from seeking God's help to finding joy in His presence is examined through Psalm 16:11. David's transition from a plea for help to a declaration of joy in God's presence is highlighted.
The speaker addresses the theme of joy during Christmas time and questions why many people lack joy despite it being considered the happiest time of the year. The difference between joy and happiness is emphasized, with happiness being easily stolen and dependent on circumstances, while biblical joy is something different.
Key Takeaways:
- The angel's message to the shepherds in Luke 2:8, "Do not be afraid," encapsulates the essence of the Gospel, which liberates individuals from fear and invites them to embrace the good news with assurance, especially during the holiday season. This message is foundational to the Christian faith, offering a transformative experience that goes beyond the superficiality of material gifts. [48:33]
- True joy is not found in holding onto resentment or bitterness, but in the act of forgiveness, as exemplified by Joseph's response to Mary's pregnancy. This act of grace not only blessed Joseph with the privilege of raising Jesus but also serves as a model for believers to release negative emotions and embrace the joy that comes from forgiveness. [01:18:40]
- A relationship with Jesus is the source of life and strength, and true joy is a result of focusing on God's presence rather than on one's circumstances. Confession, repentance, and surrendering to Jesus as Lord are essential steps to experiencing the power of joy that transcends temporary happiness. [01:34:06]
- The gospel message is countercultural, as it calls for a response of joy in the face of suffering and persecution. The apostles' rejoicing after being beaten for their faith in Acts 5:41 exemplifies a joy that is rooted in the blessings of belonging to Christ, challenging the world's principles of retaliation and grudges. [01:12:14]
- The pursuit of happiness often leads to emptiness, as it is based on external circumstances and is temporary. In contrast, the joy that comes from God is deeper and lasting, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Paul and Solomon, who recognized the futility of worldly possessions and achievements in comparison to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. [01:27:23]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 2:8-11: "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'"
2. Philippians 4:4: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
3. Psalm 16:11: "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
#### Observation Questions
1. What message did the angel bring to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-11, and how did it change their initial reaction? [46:12]
2. According to Philippians 4:4, what is Paul's instruction to believers, and how often should they follow it? [59:34]
3. In Psalm 16:11, what does David say God provides, and where is true joy found?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the angel's message to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-11 encapsulate the essence of the Gospel and its impact on fear? [46:12]
2. What does Paul's ability to rejoice in Philippians 4:4, despite his circumstances, teach us about the nature of true joy? [59:34]
3. How does David's transition from seeking help to finding joy in Psalm 16:11 illustrate the relationship between God's presence and true joy?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt fear or anxiety. How can the angel's message of "Do not be afraid" in Luke 2:8-11 help you in similar situations today? [46:12]
2. Paul encourages believers to "Rejoice in the Lord always" in Philippians 4:4. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a habit of rejoicing, even in difficult circumstances? [59:34]
3. David found joy in God's presence as described in Psalm 16:11. What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to become more aware of God's presence and experience His joy?
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of forgiveness in experiencing true joy. Is there someone you need to forgive to release resentment and embrace joy? How can you take the first step towards forgiveness this week? [01:18:40]
5. The speaker mentioned that true joy comes from a relationship with Jesus and not from earthly possessions. Identify one area in your life where you are seeking happiness through material things. How can you shift your focus to deepen your relationship with Jesus instead? [01:27:23]
6. The apostles rejoiced after being beaten for their faith in Acts 5:41. How can you find joy in your own trials and challenges by focusing on the blessings of belonging to Christ? [01:12:14]
7. The sermon discussed the difference between joy and happiness, noting that happiness is temporary and based on circumstances. What is one specific way you can seek deeper, lasting joy in your life this week, rather than temporary happiness? [50:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Gospel Freedom
Fear often holds a tight grip on our lives, but the Gospel invites us to live liberated from its chains. As the angel proclaimed to the shepherds, we too are called to embrace the good news without fear, finding assurance in the transformative power of Christ's birth and the deeper meaning it brings to our lives. [48:33]
Isaiah 43:1 - "But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.'"
Reflection: What fears are you currently allowing to overshadow the joy of the Gospel in your life, and how can you begin to let go of them?
Day 2: The Joy of Forgiveness
Holding onto resentment can poison our hearts, but true joy springs forth from the well of forgiveness. Joseph's decision to forgive Mary is a testament to the blessings that follow when we choose grace over bitterness. This act of forgiveness is a powerful example of how releasing negative emotions can lead to a life filled with joy. [01:18:40]
Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Reflection: Who do you need to forgive to experience the joy that Joseph found, and what steps can you take today to move towards that forgiveness?
Day 3: Joy Beyond Circumstances
True joy is not dependent on our life's situations but is found in a steadfast relationship with Jesus. By focusing on God's presence, confessing our sins, and repenting, we open ourselves to a joy that surpasses all understanding and remains unshaken by the trials we face. [01:34:06]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 - "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior."
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from your circumstances to God's presence to experience the joy that Habakkuk speaks of?
Day 4: Countercultural Joy
The gospel challenges us to find joy in the most unlikely places, including in suffering and persecution. The apostles' response to hardship serves as a powerful example of the countercultural joy that comes from belonging to Christ, a joy that defies the world's expectations and retaliatory nature. [01:12:14]
1 Peter 4:13 - "But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart that rejoices in trials as the apostles did, and what might that look like in a practical situation you're currently facing?
Day 5: The Futility of Worldly Pursuits
The relentless pursuit of happiness through worldly means often leads to emptiness, while the joy of the Lord is enduring and fulfilling. Paul and Solomon's lives remind us that true value is not found in possessions or achievements but in knowing Christ intimately. [01:27:23]
Ecclesiastes 2:11 - "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun."
Reflection: What worldly pursuits have you been chasing, and how can you redirect your efforts towards deepening your relationship with Christ?
Quotes
"Sometimes we put more emphasis on the wrapping of the outside than we do on the gift of the inside. Sometimes we focus and put our focus in the wrong place on how everything looks instead of what we actually have." [53:51] (Download)
"There's a difference between Joy, the gift that God offers, and happiness. Happiness is what is happening, it's what our circumstance actually has, but Joy is so much deeper." [55:21] (Download)
"You can't be resentful and joyful at the same time. You cannot hold on to hurt or a grudge or resentment because it's going to rob you of your joy." [01:14:12] (Download)
"The gospel works countercultural to the whole entire world because the world says if someone hurts you, you should hurt them back, but God is trying to give you joy through forgiveness." [01:14:50] (Download)
"Our joy is spiritual and it comes from a spiritual place, and ultimately you cannot replace spiritual things with Earthly things." [01:23:24] (Download)
"How many of us are trying to find spiritual things in Earthly things and we're missing out because of it? We're putting all of our hope in the temporary." [01:24:02] (Download)
"Joy is not stolen by a word, Joy is not stolen by a circumstance, Joy is not stolen by a misfortune that happens, Joy is something so much deeper than just happiness and as humans we can often miss it." [56:43] (Download)
"Joy is not based on our outward circumstances, Joy is not based on our situation, Joy is actually something very different." [58:49] (Download)
"We need to learn to forgive the same way that we're forgiven... the same way that I showed grace to you when you didn't deserve it, the same way I showed mercy to you when you deserved hell... is the same way I expect for you to give mercy and to give grace." [01:15:30] (Download)
"You don't need something to be happy, you need someone in order to experience joy; you need Jesus to find joy truly in your life." [01:34:06] (Download)
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