Untitled Sermon (6)

Notes
Transcript
Joy
Hard to define because it’s not something that cannot be produced, nor is it something that is dependent on circumstances:
Similar to happiness, but more of a state of being than a state of feeling.
I said you can’t “choose it.” Why not?
Because joy is one of the fruits of the spirit. Having joy is a benefit of the experience of being a Christian.
ILLUS: We took advantage of the Walmart+ offer of half off for a year. It provides benefits that someone without Walmart+ can’t have. Same with Joy: You don’t get joy without Jesus. Joy is by-product.
This means you can’t “choose joy” as a non-Christian – the best you can do is choose to ignore reality and try to convince yourself it will all work out in the end. That’s a form of delusion-
Nature of joy:
1. Joy is felt. Joy is an automatic feeling that comes from good experiences.
46 And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy.
And Mary said:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 because he has looked with favor
on the humble condition of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations
will call me blessed,
49 because the Mighty One
has done great things for me,
and his name is holy.
We can FEEL joy even in bad times. What we value or focus on often determines how we interpret or respond to circumstances.
40 After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.
41 Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name.
40 After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. 41 Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name.
Joy is commanded Action. There is a joy that Scripture commands regardless of feelings.
Scripture is full of commands to rejoice in all circumstances. Paul summarizes:
Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
1 Thessalonians 5:16 - Rejoice always
This must mean that we can experience trouble or even struggles with sin and still experience joy because we know that none of these things get the last word. They don’t define us and have no power of our eternal destiny or negatively affect God’s love or us.
From Job setbacks or relational struggles to misplaced keys, God’s plan of our redemption still stands. So we have to keep our gaze on the big picture.
ILLUS: Watching the Jet Ski World Cup held in Thailand
Similar in most motor sports that accumulate points through the season or the series – One of the riders finished 2nd in the race. While disappointing to lose, she was celebrating because she was first in points. Her focus on the big picture allowed to celebrate through a loss.
We have to remind ourselves constantly of the “Big Picture.”
I want to focus on 7 reasons (or aspects of the “Big Picture”) that Jesus provided for us when He came into this world as our Savior:
7 Reasons for Joy:
1. Justified – No condemnation and set free from sin –
Justified means that a qualified, merciful individual from the outside legally settles the rightful debt of an individual, so that the penalty owed to the indebted one is transferred or absorbed by that outside individual with the effect that the one in debt is considered debt-free (ie the former state of the outside individual)
That’s what Jesus did for you!
21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
He made the one who did not know sin to be sin[e] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus,
2 because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering,
4 in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, 2 because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Martin Luther:
· According to Luther, justification occurs by God crediting Christ’s righteousness to the sinner despite the unrighteousness of the sinner.
· Moral transformation is the effect, not the cause, of our justification.
o God gave the law primarily in order to help people recognize their total fallenness and need for Christ.
· Once a person recognizes his or her need for salvation through conviction of sin by the Spirit, forgiveness and eternal salvation offered by the gospel can be received.
· Having faith means placing one’s trust in the fact that God would fulfill his promise of salvation in Christ alone. Faith clings to the righteousness of Christ for justification.
Until Christ came, the weight of the curse of death was on all of our shoulders.
1. You fully deserved Hell.
2. Jesus didn’t deserve to die.
3. He did and you get Heaven!
2. Adopted as children –
Mercy doesn’t necessitate personal involvement
14 For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.
15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”
16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,
17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba,[i] Father!” 16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
It signifies a permanent change in legal (justification) and familial status.
An adopted child gets everything a biological child gets. So, Paul tells us that we are “co-heirs” with Christ; that we will reign with Christ,
but also other benefits:
3. Access to God’s Throne Room -
Adoption doesn’t assume free access.
ILLUS: In ancient days, even families had to be summoned into the presence of the king.
Totally dependent on the nature of the particular king.
ILLUS:My office is open to my kids, but on Blue Bloods, the NY Police Commissioner gives no favors to his children. They make appointments like everyone else.
God isn’t like that. He’s opened the door wide!
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.
16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.
How many times have you decided not to take a problem to God because you either decided you could handle it yourself or felt he would be angry with you?
ILLUS: Back to “Blue Bloods.” NYC Police Commissioner sometimes gives a “Courtesy Card” to certain people that gives them privileged access to him. Why would someone handle problems on their own?
4. Needs are provided for –
One of the primary responsibilities of parents is to make sure the needs of their children are met.
Two exceptions:
1. Depends on who is defining “need”? – what children need turns out to be wants.
2. When providing needs leads to some kind of harm or stunting of development
e.g. – a parent may see the need to withhold a legitimate need if providing it would prevent them from developing into a responsible adult.
ILLUS: At particular times or stages of growth, parents may withhold money for a child so that they learn the value of saving the money they are earning.
God may make a similar decisions but always for the ultimate benefit of His child.
So we may need to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, but don’t worry that God will not provide what you need, if your trust is fully on Him.
25 “Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?
26 Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?
27 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying?
28 And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don’t labor or spin thread.
29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these.
30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you—you of little faith?
31 So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’
32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
“Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? 27 Can any of you add one moment to his life span[j] by worrying? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you—you of little faith?31 So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God[k] and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
5. Trials are beneficial –
3 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,
4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.
5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
And not only that [ie “boasting in God’s glorious salvation”], but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us,because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.
28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
28 We know that all things work together[k] for the good[l] of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
6. Death takes us Home!
translates us into God’s presence where life continues
1 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands.
2 Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling,
3 since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.
6 So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
8 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him.
For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. 2 Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 since, when we are clothed,[a] we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.
6 So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him.
51 Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.
53 For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality.
54 When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory.
55 Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting?
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. 54 When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place:
Death has been swallowed up in victory.[j]
55 Where, death, is your victory?
Where, death, is your sting?[k]
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
7. Jesus will “reset” the world and God will dwell with us!
In the end, we get it all! Literally, the best of both worlds
26 I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be a permanent covenant with them. I will establish and multiply them and will set my sanctuary among them forever.
27 My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.
I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be a permanent covenant with them. I will establish and multiply them and will set my sanctuary among them forever. 27 My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. 28 When my sanctuary is among them forever, the nations will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel.’”
Jesus HAS come and dwelt among us, and will come again
John’s revelation restates Ezekiel’s prophecy:
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
2 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God.
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.
5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”
Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words[f] are faithful and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life.
17 Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let anyone who hears, say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely.
Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let anyone who hears, say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely.
Conclusion:
It’s good that we remind ourselves of these things
Martin Luther on Justification:
According to Luther, justification occurs not by a process of inner transformation but by a legal imputation of righteousness: God credits Christ’s righteousness to the sinner apart from the inherent righteousness of the sinner. Moral transformation is the effect, not the cause, of our justification. This means that obedience to the commandments of God cannot advance one to salvation even if one receives the assistance of divine grace. Rather, God gave the law primarily in order to help people recognize their total fallenness and need for Christ. Once a person recognizes his or her need for salvation from the condemnation of the law, the unilateral promise of forgiveness and eternal salvation offered by the gospel can be received. Having faith means placing one’s trust in the fact that God would fulfill his promise of salvation in Christ alone. Faith grasps the righteousness of Christ for justification.[1]
[1]@inbook{Kilcrease_2018,
address={Bellingham, WA},
title={The Nature of Justification},
booktitle={Lexham Survey of Theology},
publisher={Lexham Press},
author={Kilcrease, Jack},
editor={Ward, Mark and Parks, Jessica and Ellis, Brannon and Hains, Todd},
year={2018} }