Joy as the Key to Overcoming Generational Obstacles

Devotional

Day 1: Courage Over Comfort

The younger generation faces a unique challenge in their journey toward global missions: a new form of politically correct cowardice. This mindset prioritizes personal safety and comfort over the courage needed to take risks for the gospel. The desire to avoid discomfort and danger can severely limit one's willingness to step into challenging situations for the sake of Christ. However, the joy of being poured out for others' faith can dismantle this fear-driven mindset. This joy empowers believers to embrace discomfort and danger for the sake of Christ, transforming fear into courage. [04:12]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Reflection: Identify a situation where fear has held you back from sharing your faith. How can you rely on God's power to overcome this fear today?

Day 2: Freedom from Material Pursuits

For those in the middle years, the obstacle is unquenchable consumption. The relentless pursuit of more—whether it be media, entertainment, or material possessions—can choke the life out of one's spiritual vitality and mission focus. This insatiable desire for more can blind us to the eternal rewards promised by Jesus for those who sacrifice for His name. The joy of faith liberates us from the endless pursuit of material and digital consumption. By finding our deepest satisfaction in God, we cut the cords of worldly desires and experience true freedom and fulfillment. [47:53]

1 John 2:15-17 (ESV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

Reflection: What is one material or digital pursuit that consumes your time and energy? How can you redirect that focus toward deepening your relationship with God today?

Day 3: Active Engagement in Later Years

The older generation faces the creep of acceptable comfort. Society often tells us that after a certain age, we deserve to rest and enjoy the fruits of our labor. However, this mindset can lead to spiritual stagnation and a withdrawal from active participation in God's mission. The joy of rejoicing with those who sacrifice for the gospel challenges the notion that comfort is the ultimate goal in our later years. Instead, it invites us to dream bigger and engage actively in God's mission, even in our senior years. [50:34]

Psalm 92:12-14 (ESV): "The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green."

Reflection: Consider how you can actively participate in God's mission in your current stage of life. What is one step you can take this week to engage more fully in serving others?

Day 4: Joy as a Source of Strength

Faith in Christ brings a profound joy that surpasses all earthly pleasures. This joy is rooted in the promises of God and the assurance of salvation, providing a powerful antidote to the distractions and temptations of the world. The joy of faith is a liberator, freeing us from the chains of worldly desires and enabling us to focus on the eternal. This joy empowers us to live courageously and sacrificially for Christ's mission. [32:01]

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: Reflect on a recent challenge or temptation you faced. How can the joy of the Lord be your strength in overcoming similar challenges in the future?

Day 5: Embracing Sacrificial Living

Embracing the joy of being poured out for others' faith leads to a life of sacrificial love and service. This joy is not natural but supernatural, enabling us to find fulfillment in giving rather than receiving, even to the point of death. Rejoicing in sacrificial living transforms our perspective, allowing us to see the eternal impact of our sacrifices for the gospel. This joy empowers us to live lives marked by love, service, and selflessness. [33:35]

2 Corinthians 12:15 (ESV): "I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?"

Reflection: Think of a way you can sacrificially serve someone in your community this week. How can you find joy in being poured out for the sake of others' faith?

Sermon Summary

In this gathering, I have been reflecting on the unique challenges faced by different age groups in their journey toward global missions. Each generation—young, middle-aged, and older—encounters specific obstacles that can hinder their full engagement in world evangelization. For the younger generation, the challenge is a new form of politically correct cowardice, where the desire for safety and comfort can stifle the courage needed to take risks for the gospel. This mindset, if left unchecked, can severely limit the willingness to step into dangerous or uncomfortable situations for the sake of Christ.

For those in the middle years, the obstacle is unquenchable consumption. The relentless pursuit of more—whether it be media, entertainment, or material possessions—can choke the life out of one's spiritual vitality and mission focus. This insatiable desire for more can blind us to the eternal rewards promised by Jesus for those who sacrifice for His name.

The older generation faces the creep of acceptable comfort. Society often tells us that after a certain age, we deserve to rest and enjoy the fruits of our labor. However, this mindset can lead to spiritual stagnation and a withdrawal from active participation in God's mission. The biblical call to not grow weary in well-doing does not have an expiration date.

The solution to these obstacles lies in the invincible power of joy as described in Philippians 2:17-18. This joy is multifaceted: it includes the joy of faith, the joy of being poured out for others, and the joy of rejoicing with those who sacrifice for the gospel. This supernatural joy empowers us to overcome cowardice, consumption, and comfort, enabling us to live courageously and sacrificially for Christ's mission.

Key Takeaways

1. driven mindset that prioritizes personal safety over gospel risk. This joy empowers believers to embrace discomfort and danger for the sake of Christ, transforming fear into courage. [04:12]
2. Breaking Free from Unquenchable Consumption: The joy of faith liberates us from the endless pursuit of material and digital consumption. By finding our deepest satisfaction in God, we cut the cords of worldly desires and experience true freedom and fulfillment.

3. Resisting the Creep of Acceptable Comfort: The joy of rejoicing with those who sacrifice for the gospel challenges the notion that comfort is the ultimate goal in our later years. Instead, it invites us to dream bigger and engage actively in God's mission, even in our senior years.

4. The Joy of Faith as a Liberator: Faith in Christ brings a profound joy that surpasses all earthly pleasures. This joy is rooted in the promises of God and the assurance of salvation, providing a powerful antidote to the distractions and temptations of the world.

5. Rejoicing in Sacrificial Living: Embracing the joy of being poured out for others' faith leads to a life of sacrificial love and service. This joy is not natural but supernatural, enabling us to find fulfillment in giving rather than receiving, even to the point of death.

** [04:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Generational Obstacles
[01:31] - The Power of Joy in Overcoming Obstacles
[01:55] - Politically Correct Cowardice in the Young
[06:07] - Unquenchable Consumption in Midlife
[09:18] - The Creep of Acceptable Comfort in Older Age
[13:22] - God's Word for All Generations
[14:36] - Philippians 2:17-18: The Source of Joy
[16:22] - Joy in Being Poured Out
[18:45] - Rejoicing in Faith and Sacrifice
[21:25] - Sorrow and Joy Coexisting
[25:30] - The Three Facets of Christian Joy
[32:46] - Joy in Sacrificial Living
[39:13] - Honoring Those Who Sacrifice
[44:26] - The Invincible Force of Joy in Missions
[51:43] - Embracing Joy Over Obstacles

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Philippians 2:17-18
- 2 Timothy 4:6
- Matthew 19:29

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Observation Questions:

What are the three generational obstacles to global missions mentioned in the sermon, and how do they differ for each age group? [01:31]
How does the sermon describe the "politically correct cowardice" affecting the younger generation, and what impact does it have on their willingness to engage in missions? [03:12]
What does the sermon identify as the main challenge for those in their middle years, and how does it relate to their spiritual vitality? [06:07]
According to the sermon, what is the "creep of acceptable comfort" that the older generation faces, and how does it affect their participation in God's mission? [09:18]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does Philippians 2:17-18 illustrate the concept of joy in sacrificial living, and why is this joy considered "supernatural"? [15:09]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the joy of faith can liberate individuals from the pursuit of material and digital consumption? [47:53]
How does the sermon interpret the biblical call to "not grow weary in well-doing" for the older generation, and what implications does this have for their involvement in missions? [09:43]
What does the sermon imply about the relationship between joy and courage in overcoming the fear-driven mindset of the younger generation? [04:12]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you prioritize personal safety over taking risks for the gospel? How can you cultivate the joy of being "poured out" for others' faith to overcome this mindset? [04:12]
Consider your consumption habits: Are there aspects of media, entertainment, or material possessions that are consuming your time and energy? What steps can you take to find deeper satisfaction in God and break free from these habits? [47:53]
For those in the later stages of life, how can you resist the societal pressure to seek comfort and instead engage actively in God's mission? What specific actions can you take to dream bigger for your final chapter? [50:34]
How can the joy of faith serve as a powerful antidote to the distractions and temptations of the world in your daily life? Identify one practical way to focus on this joy in the coming week. [32:01]
Think of a situation where you might need to embrace discomfort or danger for the sake of Christ. How can the joy of sacrificial living empower you to face this challenge with courage? [33:35]
How can you support and rejoice with those who are sacrificing for the gospel, whether they are missionaries or individuals in your community? What specific actions can you take to honor their commitment? [39:13]
Reflect on a time when you experienced joy in giving or serving others. How did this experience impact your faith, and how can you seek similar opportunities to pour out your life for others' joy in the future? [35:10]

Sermon Clips

as I have pondered over the age range in this conference with a huge group of younger people and a modest group in the middle and and a few people like me at the upper and what has come to the front of my mind is that there are peculiar obstacles for each of those groups to global missions obstacles to to full red-blooded unintimidated uncompromising engagement in world evangelization this is a conference about missions and for me that means you being mobilized either ascenders or goers to reach the least reach peoples in the world [00:00:06]

a new form of politically correct cowardice has appeared the last five or 10 years it takes the form of opposing those whose message you don't like by claiming that you feel safe when they talk in other words you protect yourself by turning your preferences into thought police that have the authority to shut other people down while you stay in your little self defined safety [00:02:03]

the consumption I have in mind is not the consumption of the bread of life but the consumption of social media she just can't hardly put it down movies entertainment demands of your career quest for more and more stuff the quest to consume more and more entertainment more toys more travels more money is insatiable it doesn't satisfy you know this a life devoted to consumption consumes life [00:06:33]

from every corner of this culture we happy few like 70 million baby boomers we happy few are being told that the biblical command let us not grow weary in well-doing has an expiration date on it 65 or if by reason of strength 70 we we we no longer exist to create we exist for comfort now what makes it different from the lifelong temptations that everybody has for more comfort than we need [00:09:37]

even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith I am glad and I rejoice with you all likewise you should be glad and rejoice with me there are three facets of the beautiful supernatural diamond of Christian joy in those two verses and I'm going to try to show you that this multi-faceted joy is the power to free from cowardice free from consumption and free from comfort for the sake of Christ's mission [00:14:55]

so first facet of the peculiar joy called Christian joy is joy in being poured out as an offering for faith joy I am glad I am glad that I am being poured out if I must be poured out I'm glad glad glad glad glad to be poured out what is he talking about you know what he's talking about dying and we know that because he uses that phrase poured out for himself one time else namely second Timothy 4:6 [00:16:59]

at the end of verse 17 Paul says and not only am I glad that I can die for your faith and I rejoice with you all so if he's rejoicing with them they're already rejoicing in something so I got my joy dying your rejoicing at home rejoicing with you what are they rejoicing in he has just said I live and die for the sake of your faith and now they are rejoicing and he's joining them in their joy [00:18:29]

so my answer to the question at the end of verse 17 when he says I'm rejoicing with you you're already rejoicing is because I have labored for your faith and your faith is that faith in verse 25 of chapter 1 the joy of faith you're a joy sing in all that you have by faith in Jesus that's number two second facet first facet of joy is joy in dying to bring faith to others second facet the joy of faith that gets created by that mission [00:20:21]

likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me and What did he say he was her joy seing in his death for faith he is telling them look it makes me glad if I must be poured out in death to strengthen create preserve advance multiply your faith be glad with me in my death to which we can easily imagine the Philippians saying Paul it's asking too much may we not have a season of sorrow at your death we love you [00:21:00]

Paul would have wept if a paradise hadn't gone well it's right to weep when you lose a great apostle that you love it's just not right to stop rejoicing because Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 6:10 we are sorrowful yet always rejoicing and I know I'm talking to hundreds of you who probably in your walk with Jesus just haven't quite gotten there yet to you it's always sequential there are seasons of sorrow and seasons of happiness [00:24:21]

the joy of faith the joy and all that God is for you in Jesus is a mighty and powerful liberator yes it is last okay you old people the creep of acceptable comfort 60 something 70 somethings 80 some things the last facet of the diamond was rejoice with me as I rejoice and dying for your faith how would you apply that to 70 some things one very specific application would go like this we who are grandparents will never never never say to our sir 30-something children don't you ever take my grandbabies to that dangerous place [00:49:10]

let us be done with every obstacle between us and global missions let us be done with politically-correct cowardice let us be done with unquenchable consumption let us be done with the creep of acceptable comfort and let us embrace let us embrace God's Word to us about the invincible power of joy in World Missions if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith I am glad and I rejoice with you likewise you should rejoice with me [00:51:43]

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Joy as the Key to Overcoming Generational Obstacles

Devotional

Day 1: Courage Over Comfort

Day 2: Freedom from Material Pursuits

Day 3: Active Engagement in Later Years

Day 4: Joy as a Source of Strength

Day 5: Embracing Sacrificial Living

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Joy as the Key to Overcoming Generational Obstacles

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