(outline) The Rejoicing of Jesus and His People (2)

Text: Luke 10:21-24

Series: The Emotional Life of Christ

[Song: “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” while parents yelling, kid’s crying]

There is an overwhelming amount of misery in our world - a misery that we are unaware is showing.

It seems that many Christians today see the “cup as half empty”.

Illustration: The Eeyore Kind-Of Life:

“It’s not much of a tail, but I’m attached to it.”

The reality is that on a day like today, we rejoice that it is Christmas but we are aware that the gladness we feel today will most-likely be gone tomorrow.

What is the Jesus-believer’s joy vs. “kill-joy” Christianity? Hedonism?

Is there a reason to rejoice that will outlast all other reasons?

The historical account before is about Jesus and his emotion of joy. In it we will see:

What Jesus’ rejoicing IS

How Jesus expressed rejoicing

Why Jesus’ rejoiced

How we rejoice like Jesus

(1) What Jesus’ rejoicing is

Luke 10:21

The word rejoice

to be exceedingly glad or to exult.

The wonder of Jesus’ rejoicing

Because we often rejoice based upon gifts, money, relationships, or things we have it is hard for us to imagine Someone like Jesus being caused to rejoice.

...The rejoicing was a divine rejoicing - “in the Holy Spirit” (v. 21)

Jesus is Perfect in Spirit

The Spirit is the One of Joy

App:

“Joy he had: but it was not the shallow joy of mere pagan delight in living, nor the delusive joy of a hope destined to failure, but the deep exultation of a conqueror setting captives free...” - Warfield

Only one Source for this Joy

Illustration: Sweet pineapples in the Azures Islands

In like manner, we should not think that we will find eternal joy anywhere other than in the Lord and by His Holy Spirit.

Decision is yours.

Recap: The rejoicing of Jesus is divine.

(2) How Jesus expressed rejoicing

Luke 10:21

...The rejoicing was expressed in praise - “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth...” (v. 21)

The Nature of True Joy

The Holy Spirit so warms the affections within the heart of an individual that he must do one thing — thank God! [Ill: Impromptu response at sight of success]

The Nature of the Father

He is Lord of heaven and earth. The Father is sovereign ruler. The rejoicing is “Father-centered.” (v. 21-22)

Jesus is here expressing the kind of worshipful thanksgiving that God deserves from all his creatures.

App:

The Plight of Mankind: Ingratitude

Illustration: Not just being thanked as a parent for what we do but because of who we are. (Key diff: Rival of self-centeredness)

Who is the center of your rejoicing?

Recap: The rejoicing of Jesus is divine, and is expressed in thanksgiving.

(3) Why Jesus’ rejoiced

Luke 10:21

....The rejoicing was about by God’s good revelation - “these things…to little children…your gracious will” (v. 21)

The Identify of the Babes

Luke 10:23 The babes are the disciples (incl. 72)

The Identity of “These Things”

These things refers to two major certainties:

#1 - Lesser Reason:

Luke 10:17 - The certainty of the greater kingdom:

that destroys the Satanic kingdom (v. 17)

that goes forth “in the name of Christ” (v. 17)

that is exercised through Jesus’ followers (v. 19)

This tells us something about Jesus. He is the kingdom of God manifested.

#2 - Greater Reason [Ill: a gentle scope recalibration - exposed dial]:

Luke 10:19 - The certainty of being known - “names written in heaven.”

Not only that the name of Jesus is authoritatively recognized, but that your names are known.

Metaphor of names are written

It means that people who were once not in relationship with God now are known of God. They are saved and in His kingdom!

Illustration: Known and loved by Felipe and Josefa (Spain)

Why? To be known means to be in relationship. It is not merely the knowing about, but it is the knowing of.

God the Father knows us. Though we were estranged from Him, the Father knows us, and the connection is Jesus Christ.

Those who know the Son are known by the Father. We are no longer estranged from the Father because of the Son; and Jesus delights when his followers become aware of this assurance.

Galatians 4:9.

What matters supremely, therefore, is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it-the fact that he knows me...I am never out of his mind. All my knowledge of him depends on his sustained initiative in knowing me. I know him because he first knew me, and continues to know me. He knows me as a friend, one who loves me; and there is no moment when his eye is off me, or his attention distracted from me, and no moment, therefore, when his care falters.

- Packer, J. I.. Knowing God (p. 45). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

Conclusion:

When Jesus’ followers recognize the authority of Jesus and receive assurance of their being known by the Father, Jesus rejoices!

He delights when His name is known, and when his followers rejoice over being known.

This then must be true of all those who have this same Holy Spirit, that they rejoice when Jesus’ kingdom is expanding, and they rejoice because they are eternally known of the Father.

Why do you rejoice this morning?

Recap:

The rejoicing of Jesus is divine. Jesus expressed his rejoicing in Father-centered praise. Jesus’ rejoicing was because truth had been revealed to the disciples.

(4) How we rejoice like Jesus

(a) How is this kind of eternal rejoicing possible?

Luke 23:45 - Interesting account. Eternal joy was only by relationship with the Father. Jesus was torn apart so that we could be united with the Father.

Because the Son became estranged.

The possibility of our eternal rejoicing is because of the reality of Jesus’ temporary suffering.

We are accepted because he was rejected.

We are known because he was estranged.

There are really only two kinds of people. Those who are known of God and those who are estranged. To the one, there is eternal joy because of this knowledge. To the other there is eternal misery.

(b) When does this eternal rejoicing take place?

When you receive the One whom the Father has revealed.

When the lightbulb comes on in the hearts of others, by God’s gracious will.

When His people rejoice over the lesser but especially the greater.

When the Holy Spirit, by the Word, warms the affections of his people.

True, eternal rejoicing is knowing that we are known. Knowing that we have eternal salvation in Christ alone. Knowing that our sins are forgiven.

“…the only solid joy is that which arises from a well-founded expectation of happiness beyond the grave.” - Charles Simeon

CDC life-expectancy report (76.4 years).

To know the Son is to be known of the Father is to have the well-founded expectation of happiness beyond the grave.