Sharing Joy: The Path to True Fulfillment
Summary
In the beginning of the Gospel of Luke, we witness the profound story of the Incarnation—God becoming flesh to share His life and joy with us. Jesus, the ultimate joy-bringer, desires for His joy to be in us, making our joy complete. However, this completeness is not achieved by seeking joy for ourselves but by sharing it with others. The narrative of Elizabeth and Zechariah, who were blessed with a child in their old age, exemplifies this. Their neighbors and relatives shared in their joy, illustrating the power of communal celebration and support.
Joy, unlike material possessions, multiplies when shared. It is a hallmark of the Kingdom of God. When we rejoice with others, our own joy increases. Conversely, when we hoard joy or compare ourselves to others, we walk the path of envy and anti-joy. King Herod, who refused to share his kingdom, exemplifies this destructive path. In contrast, Elizabeth's community rejoiced with her, demonstrating the beauty of shared joy.
To become joy sharers, we must be curious about others, seeking to understand and support them. This incarnational approach mirrors Jesus' entry into our humanity. By finding common ground and helping others, we connect deeply, allowing their joy to become ours. This is the essence of the Kingdom—being present with others, celebrating their successes, and contributing to their well-being.
John the Baptist's story further illustrates this. Despite the shift in attention to Jesus, John found joy in his role, understanding that his purpose was to prepare the way for the Messiah. He did not envy Jesus but rejoiced in His success, knowing that his joy was complete in fulfilling his God-given role. This teaches us that true joy comes from embracing our unique purpose and celebrating others' achievements.
In our daily lives, we are called to be joy sharers. By being curious, supportive, and present with others, we can experience the fullness of joy that Jesus offers. Let us rejoice with those who rejoice, adding value to their lives and finding our joy in the process.
Key Takeaways:
- Joy is a unique gift that multiplies when shared. Unlike material possessions, sharing joy with others increases our own joy, reflecting the Kingdom's values. By rejoicing with others, we experience a deeper connection and fulfillment. [04:42]
- Envy and comparison lead to anti-joy. When we focus on what others have that we lack, we walk a path of dissatisfaction. Instead, we should celebrate others' successes, finding joy in their achievements and blessings. [05:55]
- Being a joy sharer involves curiosity and support. By taking an interest in others' lives and finding common ground, we can connect deeply and share in their joy. This incarnational approach mirrors Jesus' entry into our humanity. [09:18]
- Embracing our unique purpose brings joy. Like John the Baptist, understanding and fulfilling our God-given role allows us to find joy in our journey, without envying others. Our joy is complete when we align with God's plan for us. [14:49]
- Rejoicing with others enriches our lives. By being present and supportive, we add value to others' lives and experience the fullness of joy that Jesus offers. Let us be joy sharers, celebrating the successes and blessings of those around us. [15:22]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:49] - Jesus, the Joy Bringer
- [01:19] - Elizabeth's Miracle
- [02:17] - Zechariah's Obedience
- [03:14] - Sharing Joy with Others
- [04:28] - The Nature of Joy
- [05:09] - The Path of Anti-Joy
- [06:13] - Empathy and Joy
- [07:13] - Naming and Community
- [08:09] - Zechariah's Transformation
- [09:18] - The Incarnational Approach
- [10:14] - Curiosity and Connection
- [11:05] - The Question of Purpose
- [12:27] - Becoming a Joy and Delight
- [13:51] - John's Joy in Jesus
- [15:22] - Be a Joy Sharer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 1:57-66
- John 3:27-30
Observation Questions:
1. What was the reaction of Elizabeth's neighbors and relatives when they heard about the birth of her son? How did they participate in her joy? [01:19]
2. How did Zechariah demonstrate obedience to God in the naming of his son, and what was the immediate result of his obedience? [02:31]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of joy and how it differs from material possessions? [04:28]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah illustrate the concept of shared joy within a community? What might this suggest about the role of community in experiencing joy? [01:48]
2. In what ways does the sermon contrast the attitudes of King Herod and John the Baptist towards joy and success? What lessons can be drawn from their differing perspectives? [05:09]
3. How does the sermon describe the "incarnational approach" to sharing joy, and what does this reveal about the nature of Jesus' ministry? [09:18]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent moment of joy in your life. How did you share it with others, and what was the impact on your own sense of joy? [04:42]
2. Consider a time when you felt envious of someone else's success. How did that affect your own joy, and what steps can you take to celebrate others' achievements instead? [05:55]
3. Identify someone in your life who might be experiencing joy or success. How can you be present and supportive in their moment of celebration this week? [15:22]
4. Think about your unique purpose or role in life. How can embracing this purpose bring you joy, and how can you avoid the trap of comparison with others? [14:49]
5. How can you cultivate curiosity and support in your relationships to become a better joy sharer? What specific actions can you take to connect with others on a deeper level? [09:18]
6. Reflect on a time when you were able to help someone else achieve a goal or experience joy. How did that experience affect your own sense of fulfillment and joy? [10:00]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to add value to someone else's life and share in their joy, as encouraged by the sermon? [15:54]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy Multiplies When Shared
Joy is a unique gift that multiplies when shared with others. Unlike material possessions, joy increases when it is given away, reflecting the values of the Kingdom of God. When we rejoice with others, we experience a deeper connection and fulfillment. This communal celebration is exemplified in the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah, whose joy was shared by their neighbors and relatives. By embracing this principle, we can experience the fullness of joy that Jesus offers. [04:42]
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight." (Romans 12:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is celebrating a recent success or blessing. How can you actively share in their joy today, perhaps through a call, a note, or a small gesture of celebration?
Day 2: Avoiding the Path of Envy
Envy and comparison lead to anti-joy, a path of dissatisfaction and discontent. When we focus on what others have that we lack, we miss the opportunity to celebrate their successes and find joy in their achievements. King Herod's refusal to share his kingdom exemplifies this destructive path. Instead, we are called to rejoice with others, finding joy in their blessings and achievements. [05:55]
"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." (James 3:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel envious of someone else's success. How can you shift your perspective to celebrate their achievements and find joy in their blessings today?
Day 3: The Incarnational Approach to Joy
Being a joy sharer involves curiosity and support, taking an interest in others' lives and finding common ground. This incarnational approach mirrors Jesus' entry into our humanity, allowing us to connect deeply and share in others' joy. By being present and supportive, we add value to others' lives and experience the fullness of joy that Jesus offers. [09:18]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: Consider someone in your life who may need support or encouragement. How can you take a genuine interest in their life today, seeking to understand and share in their joy?
Day 4: Embracing Your Unique Purpose
Embracing our unique purpose brings joy, as demonstrated by John the Baptist. Understanding and fulfilling our God-given role allows us to find joy in our journey without envying others. John's joy was complete in preparing the way for Jesus, teaching us that true joy comes from aligning with God's plan for us. [14:49]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your unique gifts and purpose. How can you embrace and fulfill your God-given role today, finding joy in your journey without comparing yourself to others?
Day 5: Rejoicing with Others
Rejoicing with others enriches our lives, allowing us to experience the fullness of joy that Jesus offers. By being present and supportive, we add value to others' lives and celebrate their successes and blessings. Let us be joy sharers, finding our joy in the process of uplifting those around us. [15:22]
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent success or blessing in someone else's life. How can you be present and supportive, adding value to their life and sharing in their joy today?
Quotes
Jesus actually says on the night before he dies I've told these things to you my disciples so that my joy might be in you my joy Jesus has a certain kind of Joy it's got a certain kind of character and he came to be the joy bringer The Joy sharer and he wants your joy to be complete but it will not be complete if your main goal is to complete up your joy. [00:46:52]
Joy is somewhat unique in this way it is what Thomas Thomas Aquin has called one of the greater Goods most of the things that we get in life lesser goods are things where if I share with somebody else there's less for me if I have $2 and I share one of them with you I only got one. [00:57:40]
The more you share Joy with other people the more you enter into their Joy the more that you rejoice with them when good things happen to them the more joy you experience there are other people that are kind of Joy hoarders and we're all tempted to do this I wanted a lot of people even people in church can start to think my life's just about being happy. [01:12:15]
King Herod was a classic Joy hoarder he was the king and when he heard there was another King born King of the Jews a little child he was not about to share his kingdom his throne his crown he's deeply Disturbed enjoy is this way and I know uh how it feels to be kind of on the anti- jooy side if there's somebody else and I compare myself to that person. [01:16:09]
When I'm walking down the pathway of comparison and envy it is the road of anti- joy and there is less for me but what happens here is the other way around there's a group of neighbors and uh relatives who are part of Elizabeth's life and they identify with her they share her Joy how do you go about sharing Joy well they notice her. [01:22:32]
They know that Elizabeth and Zechariah have been sad that their life has been characterized by pain because of infertility and they don't want that for them and then when it's taken away it makes them happy just looking at Elizabeth's Joy I think about somebody that I know quite courageous person who went through three miscarriages with loss and loss of pain. [01:25:00]
How do you become a joy sharer with other people well kind of like people in this story this is the nature of the Kingdom be curious about people and then find out if you can help them you can do this today way I have a friend named Larry and he is so good at this I learn a lot by watching him the first thing he'll do when he's meeting with somebody. [01:31:29]
The Incarnation is Jesus enters into our condition our life our humanity and we can actually seek to do that with each other be incarn with other people instead of thinking you're different you are unlike you are out there that's when your joy is often a threat to me you're part of their tribe but through the dynamic of the Incarnation I find that I'm connected with you. [01:33:58]
John's response is so interesting a person can receive only what is given them from Heaven the Lord is with you the Lord is with you you yourself can testify that I said I am not the Messiah he doesn't compare himself to Jesus he doesn't Envy Jesus so interesting later on we're told that pilate knows that the religious leaders Israel handed Jesus over this is in Matthew out of Envy not John the Baptist. [01:49:31]
The friend who attends the bridegroom Waits and listens for him and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice that Joy is mine that Joy is mine and it is now complete he must become greater I must become less that's where the joy is I know what my joy is if I try to have his Joy I will lose my own joy and I will never have his because I'm not him. [01:52:19]
Joy comes when we share it with other people you see this from the beginning of Jesus story so today do not be a joy hoarder do not be a joy collector be a joy sharer look at other people be curious about what's going on in their lives ask how you can help them and then anytime somebody else is in Rich Paul says Rejoice with those who Rejoice. [01:59:22]
Instead of asking hey how about me just think man what must it be like to be this person and have joy how can I make somebody else smile how can I make somebody else better how can I add value into the life of another human do that Rejoice for the Lord is with you. [02:02:47]
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