Joy as a Witness: Embracing Affliction with Hope

Devotional

Day 1: Joy Transforms Affliction

Joy is not a passive state but an active choice that transforms our experience of suffering. It is a command to view trials through the lens of faith, allowing believers to endure hardships with a positive outlook. This perspective serves as a witness to the hope found in Jesus, demonstrating the power of faith to change hearts and minds. [34:30]

James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Reflection: How can you choose joy in a current situation of affliction, and what might be the transformative impact of this choice on your faith and witness?

Day 2: Authenticity Fosters Connection

True compassion and empathy are expressed through sharing in the emotional experiences of others. By authentically engaging with the joys and sorrows of those around us, we deepen our connections and demonstrate the love of Christ. This authentic sharing of emotions can bridge gaps and create genuine relationships. [42:42]

Romans 12:15 - "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when someone's shared emotions impacted you deeply? How can you practice authentic emotional connection with someone this week?

Day 3: Joy as a Christian Witness

Believers are called to be known for their joy, which reflects the transformative power of Christ within. This outward expression of inner faith can challenge negative perceptions and draw others to the faith. A joyful demeanor can serve as a compelling testimony to the love and grace of God. [32:42]

1 Peter 2:12 - "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
Reflection: How can your joyful demeanor serve as a witness to those who do not yet know Christ, and what specific action can you take today to demonstrate this joy?

Day 4: Sovereignty Shapes Worldview

Acknowledging God's sovereignty over all aspects of life aligns our lives with His will and purpose. This recognition fosters a sense of peace and trust in His divine plan, shaping the Christian worldview and guiding believers through life's uncertainties. [53:14]

Daniel 4:34-35 - "At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge God's sovereignty more fully, and how can this acknowledgment change your approach to challenges you face?

Day 5: Proactive Joy Spreads Faith

Christians are encouraged to actively spread joy, not only within their community but also to the world at large. Simple actions like expressing gratitude or maintaining a pleasant demeanor can have a profound impact on how the faith is perceived and can serve as a compelling testimony to God's love. [47:54]

Hebrews 13:1-2 - "Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."
Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally cause joy in someone else's life today, and how might this action reflect the love and grace of God to them?

Sermon Summary

Pastor Matt Sharpe delivered a sermon emphasizing the importance of living a joy-filled life as a witness for Jesus Christ. He drew from Romans 12:11-15, which calls for sincere love, hating evil, clinging to good, and being devoted to one another in love. Pastor Sharpe outlined three reasons why joy is crucial: it connects to affliction, reframes affliction, and fosters empathy and compassion by rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn.

Pastor Sharpe shared personal experiences to illustrate his points, including an encounter with a rude waitress that highlighted the significance of being known for joy. He urged Christians to be the smile of Jesus, reflecting joy in their demeanor. He also discussed the importance of finding joy amidst life's challenges and being a beacon of light and joy. He encouraged the congregation to intentionally cause joy in others' lives and to act with love even when not feeling joyful, using the example of parenting.

The sermon also included a reflection on Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, where Jesus wept with those mourning, showing the importance of sharing emotional worlds to promote connection. Pastor Sharpe explained that emotions consist of feeling, communicated information, and taken action. He emphasized that reframing affliction does not mean ignoring pain but seeing what else is true, such as God's sovereignty.

Pastor Sharpe also addressed the ownership and sovereignty of God over the kingdom, power, and glory, affirming that these belong to God alone. He shared a personal anecdote about his child's injury and the importance of experiencing joy and telling stories that make people laugh. He cited a study that found non-Christians often perceive Christians as being against more things than they are for, highlighting the need for Christians to address this negative perception.

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Romans 12:11-15, what are some specific actions that believers are encouraged to take in their daily lives?
How does Pastor Sharpe describe the connection between joy and affliction in his sermon? ([35:07])
What personal anecdote did Pastor Sharpe share to illustrate the importance of being known for joy? ([31:00])
In John 11:35, why is it significant that "Jesus wept" even though He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Pastor Sharpe believe that joy is an active command rather than a passive feeling? How does this perspective change the way we approach difficult situations? ([35:47])
How does the act of reframing affliction, as discussed in the sermon, help believers endure hardships? ([37:43])
What does Pastor Sharpe mean when he says that joy allows for authenticity in our relationships? How does this relate to the biblical call to "rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn"? ([38:59])
How does the sovereignty of God over all aspects of life, including the kingdom, power, and glory, provide a foundation for a joy-filled life? ([49:10])

Application Questions

Pastor Sharpe mentioned that Christians are often perceived as being against more things than they are for. Reflect on your own interactions with non-believers. How can you intentionally show the joy of Christ in your daily encounters? ([29:11])
Think of a recent affliction or hardship you have faced. How can you reframe this situation to see what else is true, such as God's sovereignty and goodness? ([37:43])
Pastor Sharpe shared a story about his child's injury and how he found joy even in that stressful situation. Can you recall a time when you found joy amidst a challenge? How did it impact your perspective? ([26:13])
How can you practice being the "smile of Jesus" in your community this week? Identify one specific action you can take to spread joy to someone else. ([32:12])
Reflect on the importance of authenticity in your relationships. How can you be more open about your own struggles and joys to deepen your connections with others? ([38:59])
Pastor Sharpe emphasized the importance of sharing emotional worlds to promote connection. Think of someone who is currently mourning or rejoicing. How can you join them in their emotional experience this week? ([42:42])
How can acknowledging God's ownership and control over your life help you align your actions with His will and purpose? What steps can you take to foster a sense of peace and trust in His divine plan? ([49:10])

Sermon Clips

"When we can introduce laughter at our own selves, we can just acknowledge our frailty and it allows us to be authentic. It's so much fun to do." [40:51] (Download)

"Joy promotes connection. When I see someone rejoicing, I'm supposed to join them in it, and the really uncomfortable one is when it says mourn with those who mourn, I'm supposed to join them in it." [41:30] (Download)

"Jesus entered not just our world physically, he entered our emotional life. That is a great verse when you're trying for Bible memory points, keep that one in the back pocket: Jesus wept." [42:42] (Download)

"I got something worth having Joy it may not make me happy all the time but I promise you whatever this life throws at me I got the joy because my God is good." [49:47] (Download)

"I can do the actions of the emotion without the feeling. How do I connect with another person who's not having a good day, who's experiencing affliction, who's mourning? How do I bring joy into their lives without being silly?" [47:17] (Download)

"Having a pleasant demeanor even if my life is falling apart is a powerful witness more so than we possibly realize. So that's why the Bible says rejoice in the lord always; that's a command not a suggestion." [47:54] (Download)

"I don't know if you've noticed this about Christians and pastors, we do over-spiritualize things just a bit. So what gives you Earthly joy?" [24:25] (Download)

"As I think about my family, I love them, I think they love me most of the time. We love each other, and it realizes that what gives us joy as a family is giving each other grief." [25:04] (Download)

"Joy the best and simplest witness. Do you know how non-christians often see us? We are against more things than we are for, some of us try to act like we have no problems, we are hypocritical, we are terrible at friendships, we are often rude and entitled." [29:47] (Download)

"Never be lacking in Zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the lord. Be joyful in Hope, patient in Affliction, faithful in prayer." [34:30] (Download)

"Joy reframes Affliction. What do I mean by that? To reframe something is to change your view of it, to see other possibilities more clearly." [36:28] (Download)

"Being a joyful person allows us to endure bad things, the afflictions better. This the last time I'm saying: Joy reframes Affliction." [35:47] (Download)

"To reframe something says we acknowledge what's really happening, there is something bad, there's something terrible, there's something afflicting me going on right now. We own it, we acknowledge it, and then we say what else is also true." [37:43] (Download)

"When we have a joy-filled life and attitude, we are able to gently acknowledge the frailty in our own lives. It allows us the opportunity to be more authentic." [39:46] (Download)

"Before Jesus said come here I got you, he stopped to share their emotional world. He didn't help them, didn't fix anything, but the connection that they had with their savior deepened that day when Jesus stopped his Divine work to Simply say I'm going to sit with you in this time of mourning." [44:43] (Download)

"Emotions are actually more than that; there's also information communicated in every emotion. If I feel love, that emotion is saying that I'm connected to that object of my love... and everything is right in the world. That's the message." [45:16] (Download)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?