Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

Can we have joy even knowing that we are not in control?

We must answer a few more questions before we can answer that one.

If we are not in control, then who is?

What is the character of that being that is in control?

Are they good, are they evil?

This will directly impact our ability to find joy in that situation.

The sovereignty of God can be big and difficult thing for us to understand.

I think the biggest reason that it is difficult to understand though is because of our own sinful nature and sinful flesh.

Because of our selfish desires.

The sovereignty of God really boils down the the fact that God is in control and we are not.

We read of this from the very beginning.

Genesis 3.

We have no power over the wind, the waves, the weather.

We have no power over whether the sun rises and sets.

But God does.

What we must know and understand about The Lord, the everlasting God, the Creator is his character.

Read Psalm 136

Read in the NT

God’s character is clearly shown in scripture.

We then should not find trouble in rejoicing in his sovereignty.

That is what I hope to help us do this morning.

To rejoice as Jesus did, in the sovereignty of God.

Joy in sovereignty.

Looking at this passage thus far and seeing the ministry of a Christian believer we saw that Jesus sent out the 70/72.

That prayer is of the first importance.

Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest.

Then go, go into the world telling others that the kingdom of God has come near.

And that there are consequences for unbelief.

When the disciples returned, we see reason for joy.

We have seen the joy of a job well done.

The joy that comes in salvation.

There is a third great joy in this passage.

the joy that God the Son has in God the Spirit and God the Father.

Jesus rejoiced here.

The Greek word agalliaō is a word for exuberant ecstasy, for complete exultation in the fullness of joy.

The word carries the meaning to exult, be exceedingly joyful.

The picture in our mind as we read this is not Jesus drably sitting there saying I thank you, Father,

But rather Jesus leaping for joy!

Like a kid who just got exactly what they had been asking for on their birthday.

I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth!

Jesus had rejoiced to see Satan defeated, falling from heaven like lightning.

Jesus had rejoiced in and pointed his followers to rejoice in eternal life.

That word joy Jesus used there was chairo meaning to be in a state of happiness and well being.

To be glad.

But here this greater joy is in God himself.

Luke is showing us the joy at the heart of the universe,

the rejoicing that takes place within the Godhead, where God is both the subject and the object of his own joy.

The Father, the Son, and the Spirit find joy and glory in one another.

When Jesus was baptized

Luke 3:22 (ESV)

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

and again when he was transfigured

we saw the pleasure that the Father takes in his own beloved Son.

Now Jesus rejoices in the Spirit and the Father, and as he rejoices, we catch a glimpse of God glorifying and enjoying himself.

There can be no greater joy than this: the eternal joy that God himself enjoys in the being of God.

The words that follow though are somewhat ironic and confusing in our minds.

Wait a minute, didn’t Jesus just send out 72 messengers to go ahead of him to prepare the way, building the kingdom?

But now he is ecstatically thanking God that he has hidden things form the wise and understanding?

Isn’t this counterproductive?

From our finite human perspective, yes it does appear that way.

But what Jesus is rejoicing in here, is the sovereignty of God.

When we speak of the sovereignty of God we speak of His excellent quality.

That He is the most exalted.

That he possess supreme or ultimate power to an unlimited extent.

That He has no external control over Himself.

God’s sovereignty can be a difficult doctrine for us.

Why is God hiding things from the wise?

Why is Jesus rejoicing in that?

Why does God open the eyes of some, bringing them to a saving knowledge of Jesus, but others never repent?

The Bible never gives us the full answer, except to say that God does it for his own glory.

This shouldn’t cause us anxiety though because the Bible means it as comfort for those who believe.

The doctrine of election, which proves God’s sovereignty in salvation, is a doctrine of joy and assurance for the believer.

Paul writes in Romans

If you have trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, know that God chose you to be His child.

He has adopted you into his family.

Adoption is a great and wonderful thing!

This emphasis on God’s sovereignty is not to be emphasized without also talking about human responsibility,

And we see this in Matthew’s account of this event

Matthew 11:25–30 (ESV)

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Then in verse 28 Jesus offers a call.

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

You see, again Jesus thanks God even though not all believe, but then swiftly adds the gospel call.

Jesus calls people to come to Him, to see their need, where they are lacking,

and to see His rich and willing provision for them and how He wants to minister to them and give them peace.

If you recognize that you are a sinner who cannot help themselves,

that you have sins that need forgiving,

that there is nothing you can do to save yourself, then come to Christ.

There is a balance here and this balance is one that we, in our finite human forms, cannot reconcile.

Because God has created us for relationship, with Him and with one another.

God did not create mankind as a bunch of pre-programmed robots.

We have a role to play.

But that role is only one thing.

And scripture is quite clear on that.

Believe.

Paul also writes in Romans 10.