Celebration: Joy in Chaos

I take joy very seriously.

I notice when it’s gone, and it’s something I want to be continually aware of.

Joy/happiness are not the same thing.

2 Timothy 3:10–13 ESV

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

What happened in Iconium and Lystra?

Acts 14:1–7 ESV

1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.

Unbelieving Jews are throwing shade and rocks all over the place.

The Jews from Iconium FOLLOWED Paul to Lystra just because they wanted to kill him!

“Why are you so obsessed with me?!”

They had a little better go at it this time.

Acts 14:19–20 ESV

19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

This is an absolute picture of gospel grit.

Paul COMES BACK to the place they try to kill him and continues preaching the gospel!

Acts 14:21–22 ESV

21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

The Christian life comes with many opponents. Those opponents still need the gospel!

What Paul is calling us and Timothy to here:

We can have joy in chaos.

So many of us are living in absolute chaos.

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Some of you, I’m sure have been through some hard times that you don’t want to talk about.

Here’s the beautiful part of the gospel

Jesus receives us where we are.

Paul, the colossal Apostle, was once an angry religious nut that was murdering Christians.

He was like Hitler.

Jesus isn’t going to leave you behind.

Jesus tells us that He came to give us life abundantly!

Having this in mind, Paul reminds Timothy of the foundation of our lives as Christians.

2 Timothy 3:14–17 ESV

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Our joy must be rooted in God’s Word

What robs your affections for Jesus?