Joy in Faith
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Reading:
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
Introduction:
We all understand that exercise or maintaining our health is important.
It may not keep us young; but it helps our physical quality of life.
Is that something we commit to for our spiritual life?
We are given the ability to exercise our spiritual man after salvation.
I can’t say you are working for your salvation; working at it is definitely beneficial to you either way.
God teaches that our spiritual regiment is dependent on us:
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
We are expected to work out our faith!
This is something that doesn’t make sense.
Why it doesn’t make sense?
What most people may think when they hear working out their own salvation is that they expect to “please” God with their efforts.
The thing that is produced from working out our faith isn’t for God’s benefit or to find favor in His sight.
It’s actually for us!
Working out our faith produces fruit.
Fruit that others see through God changing us.
Fruit that we begin to notice too.
One fruit is that of Joy!
We are able to have:
Joy by Faith in Christ
Joy by Faith in Christ
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
We find here that God is the one who fills us with Joy and peace.
How we receive that is by believing Jesus.
Believing Jesus, changes how we view ourselves and people.
In our sin we have no hope which produces a mindset of hopelessness.
That hopelessness bears fruit through our decisions.
Illustration:
There is a forest in Japan called Aokigahara.
This Forrest is found at the northwest side of Mount Fuji.
It is referred to as the “sea of trees”
This Forrest is also called by another name which is has a darker connotation: The suicide Forest.
It is estimated that between the years of 2013-2015 the Forest received more than 100 deaths.
Why is it called the suicide Forest?
The story begins with monks who would go into the Forest to live off of nothing but leaves and bark.
The would also be buried alive so they could continue meditating in an underground crypt.
This was in an effort to reach the ultimate goal of turning the body into a type of mummy.
The more recent reasons were the fantasized idea of suicide by a writer for how to do it!
There have been many reasons people justify it as ok; but ultimately the common thread seems to be a lack of hope or self-worth.
The Japanese Gov. has placed a sign at the entrance that reads:
“Your life is a precious gift from your parents. Please think about your parents, siblings and children. Don't keep it to yourself. Talk about your troubles.”
That seems to make an effort of connecting joy to memories and moments with those who love them.
Connection:
Something that we should understand happened at salvation is:
We are so valuable to God that He paid for us with His life!
That produces hope in our hearts:
That we are precious and priceless.
Which should give us hope for what He has for us!
That hope replaces the hopelessness we once had:
We matter and are important!
A result of believing in that is that we find Joy!
After we recognize our sin and admit our spiritual bankruptcy there is peace with God because of Jesus.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
That peace between us and God provides for us access to Him:
2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Be greatful for that access!
The faith you now have as a believer in Jesus Christ can remove any hopelessness in your mind.
Understand and know that any thoughts, other than you are a child of the King and are the most valuable thing to Him:
Is a lie!
Don’t allow it those thoughts to take your joy.
Your joy is secure because of Jesus Christ!
Allow that Joy to be seen so it may be the spark that ignites a faith in Jesus to those around you.
Transition:
We are told in:
17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
That is telling us that our faith isn’t lived out alone, we need one another!
The relationships that challenge our faith; but those that build it up too.
The relationships with our brothers and sisters is what we refer to as fellowship.
When we have others who help us
We will find that we have:
Joy in Fellowship w/others.
Joy in Fellowship w/others.
We can see this truth in Paul’s connection with others.
4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.
Paul’s desire was to see Timothy and when they could gather in fellowship it would bring Paul joy!
I’m sure they would catch up with one another and all God was doing in their lives.
Paul would find that Timothy was obedient to God’s call and it would make Him proud.
Illustration:
I received a phone call from a former youth in Florida.
He asked if he could interview me for one of his seminary classes.
He and I talked for a while after his questions.
We spoke of what God has taught us in different areas leading up to where He has us now.
We spoke about different passages of scripture that have been a encouragement to us.
We talked about differences in theological perspectives that others have, along with our similarities.
(Give the background on how he cam to where God has him now - Give background)
Do you know what happened in my mind and heart throughout that phone call?
I found joy in our conversation.
It was encouraging to hear all that God is doing in his life.
The desires he has for reaching souls and discipling them.
That fellowship brought joy to the both of us.
Fellowship isn’t only found between brothers in Christ.
We are to have fellowship with the Father and the Son.
3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
The fellowship should produce a completeness inside of us.
Our joy is full, our heart is full and happy because of the relationship with God.
I can talk to Him.
I can meditate on His word and how it applies to me now.
I get to have the Holy Spirit actively working in my life!
We should recognize God’s fingerprint on each moment, thank Him for it and enjoy in our fellowship with Him.
Connection:
If fellowship with your church family isn’t producing joy; you’re doing it wrong.
Speak of what God has been showing you this last week.
Speak of what He is doing right now in this time together.
Ask someone about their time spent with God this last week.
Inquire about their fellowship with God!
If they haven’t spent any time with God; then tell them about your time with Him, encourage them through your faith.
Transition:
We aren’t sure when the Lord will call us home; but we can know what scripture says about that day:
27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
We may not know when God will call us home; but it is coming and we can be prepared for when it does.
Part of our hope is that we:
Finish the course w/Joy
Finish the course w/Joy
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Paul tells us about what he hopes to find at the finish line.
All his efforts are done with this in mind.
The prize isn’t the crown of righteousness or a trophy.
The prize would be that when he hears Jesus approves of what he spent his life doing and why!
Illustration:
Think back to when you were a child in your parents home.
They provided all things for you.
They taught you skills, manners, and respect.
They might not have been you’re favorite people because they didn’t give you what you wanted; but the things you needed.
What is it that would’ve made it all worth it?
That moment when you could see that you made them proud!
Inn those moments you could care less about what you did because the one’s who loved you most approved of you and your choices.
That’s the reflection of what we can experience when we arrive at that appointed day.
The finish line will be His approval!
Paul was running the race because he never “got over “ God’s grace and pursued what God called him to.
You may say that Paul was very different and it is impossible for you to do the same thing:
It isn’t!
Make full proof of the ministry God has called you to.
That ministry that plugs you into the part of the church body so that it is complete and not handicapped any longer.
Help reach souls with the gospel, and make disciples of them.
This is how Paul did it:
He kept his eye on the finish line:
And what he says in Acts 20:24
24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul’s value wasn’t spent on preserving his life as long as possible.
He lived boldly for Jesus!
His life was less important and Jesus’ will was most important!
When Jesus is first, all the rest falls into the right spots.
Yourself being last!
This isn’t an easy.
A lot in our world is geared towards our life; not God’s will for it.
There are diets, Exercises, surgeries, etc...
So much effort in trying to preserve ourselves.
What if we spent all that time, money, and effort on reaching the lost through with gifts God has given us.
The desire for finding pure joy at the finish line is possible.
Transition:
That joy is a result of what are you living for:
Self or God?
Joy is produced by striving for the finish line to receive the prize from finishing your race well!
Conclusion:
Your salvation should produce joy!
You have been forgiven and have been washed clean from your impurities.
The Lord no longer sees your stains, all He chooses to see is that your debt was paid with a the perfect sacrificial lamb at passover.
Believe Jesus’ last words “it is finished”
Receive the Joy because of your faith in Christ.
Drop any hindrance to that truth at His feet and leave it there.
When you are having difficulty doing that.
Fellowship with other believers and hear of how God is working in their lives.
Take every opportunity for fellowship with those of a likeminded faith!
Enter His presence with thanksgiving over all the blessings you have, even if sometimes it may feel like it is only salvation.
This all can be done with consistent and persistent prayer time!
Always keep your eyes on the finish line.
Whey you look forward you aren’t being distracted with the little bumps here and now!
Allow yourself to find joy in the pursuit of your calling.
Knowing that your efforts are for Him not for yourself or the approval of others.
The sea of trees is a place for those without hope, the symbol of hopelessness.
Jesus is the symbol of Joy because of the grace He extended through the cross.
Let your joy be full and protect it from those who attempt to take it from you!
Have faith in the armor of God.
Trust and believe that no one can remove it.
Your joy is secure because of your faith!
Pray!
