Joy of the Lord
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Luke 1:
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,
—H. G. Bosch writes
One of our favorite hymns was inspired by the glowing face of a man who seemed to live continually upon the lofty peak of consecration. Seeing him in the audience during an evangelistic campaign, a famous preacher noticed his radiant expression. The message that night was about the return of Christ, and often the man with the shining countenance would exclaim joyously, “Yes, yes! And that will be glory for me!” After the service the speaker inquired, “Who is the brother with the blessed testimony?” “Oh, that’s old glory face,” replied his informant. “He’s a Christian who always seems to be on the mountaintop.”
Later Charles H. Gabriel was so impressed with this same man that he was moved to write his familiar gospel song, “O That Will Be Glory For Me.”
***PRAY***
Last time we learned about the betrothal regulations for lack of better terms.
We learned:
The agreement is between the two fathers not the bride and groom to be.
Because the brides father was losing a contributor to the welfare of his whole estate and family.
Because the groom’s father needed to know he was getting what he paid for.
We learned that it was the bride’s father that was responsible for keeping his daughter a virgin.
A virgin was preferred so that the groom could be guaranteed his estate would be passed down to his blood relatives.
We learned that the betrothal agreement gives the groom reproductive rights to the wife.
We learned that a groom could divorce if his bride violated the agreement.
We learned that the bride could be stoned to death by her own father for violating the agreement.
Knowing all that, Mary willfully submitted to the will of God to be the bearer of the Messiah.
She knew all that could happen to her; she knew all that she could lose; but most importantly, she knew her God could be trusted to fulfill his promise and that He would take care of the details.
Because she knew Gabriel was correct when he said:
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
I love this verse. It has a lot of meaning to me.
The reason is because I have watched it come true over and over again.
Before Jacqueline and I were married, we dated.
Shocker right?
But we had TWO dating periods that we affectionately call
Good dating period
Bad dating period
First came the bad and in short…I broke her heart through an email.
During the time we were apart, God worked a mighty work in her and me.
By His grace and in His providence, He brought us back together.
After what I had done to her, the pain I caused her…pain NOBODY should ever endure...she let me back into her life.
She knew that it could happen again, that I could break her heart again...but she knew that God would handle it AGAIN...if it did.
This was the first time that I experienced
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
I’ve experienced this so many more times since then, especially here in Kosovo.
And so after hearing these words about Elizabeth being pregnant in her old age and bareness…Mary sets off to see up close what God has done.
Verse 39
Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah,
Luke
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,
a city in Galilee called Nazareth
Would help us understand verse 39 a little bit better.
Galilee where Mary lived is 106 km (65 miles) from the hill country of Judah/Judea where Elizabeth lived.
So what does Luke mean "went in a hurry"?
Does that mean she left quickly after being visited by Gabriel?
Does that mean she left quickly after being visited by Gabriel?
Was she getting out of Dodge to avoid folks finding out she was pregnant?
OR that she traveled quickly?
Wieresbe says:
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
This should not be interpreted as an attempt to prevent Mary’s neighbors in Nazareth from knowing that she was pregnant. Rather Luke here described Mary as a model believer eagerly responding in obedience to the heavenly message of Luke 1:36.
The text doesn’t tell us how she traveled...whether she was alone or how dangerous it might be if she did go alone.
Could you imagine
One thing is for certain, she did NOT get there in a hurry.
Remember last time we met, I BEGAN that study telling you a little detail in verse 26
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,
a city in Galilee called Nazareth would help us understand verse 39 a little bit better.
Would help us understand verse 39 a little bit better.
Galilee, where Mary lived is 106 km (65 miles) from the hill country of Judah/Judea where Elizabeth lived.
That’s a long way.
I know when Jacqueline and I go walking at Germia, our average pace is around 4 Mph, I definitely slow her down.
At that pace, it would take Mary a little more than 16 hours.
But Mary would have had much worse terrain than Germia.
She would have had sandals, not the latest Asics running shoes.
We don’t know exactly how long it took her to get there but when she did…here’s what took place:
Verse 40
40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:40-44
and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
No that is a LOT that just happened.
There’s no details to be seen in this greeting, but it was the beginning of a chain of events that can only be described as Joyous celebration.
In fact, Warren Wiersbe says
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Hear the Good News! (Luke 1)
Mary knew she was to become a mother, and that her kinswoman Elizabeth would give birth in three months, she wanted to see Elizabeth so they could rejoice together. “Joy” is the major theme of this section
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
theologically significant.
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
Nothing is said concerning the content of this greeting, for this is not important. Luke reported only what is theologically significant.
And he says that you see it in three persons.
1. The Joy of the unborn John the Baptist.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Most of us have read this verse a dozen times and we get this picture of a quick jump or few roll-overs.
15 “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.
Most commentators agree this was the moment that JTB began being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Most of us have read this verse a dozen times and we get this picture of a quick jump or few roll-overs.
Elizabeth was filled with the Spirit.
The verb leaped is “skirtazo” in the Greek and it has the sense of leaping for joy in a continuous manner as a sign of or reaction to great joy.
The verb leaped is “skirtazo” in the Greek and it has the sense of leaping for joy in a continuous manner as a sign of or reaction to great joy.
Everyone that loves futbol remembers the 2014 World cup in Rio.
Remember
In the championship game, Argentina played Germany to a 0-0 tie in regular time.
At the end of the first extra time...STILL 0-0.
3 minutes into the second and final extra time, a bench warmer named Mario Gotze scores one of the most beautiful goals I’ve ever seen…and the place erupted in celebration.
And the place erupted in celebration.
People were jumping up and down yelling and screaming for several minutes.
And it went on for several minutes…an eternity I’m sure for the Argentina players.
This is what the sense of the word translated leaped.
This is “skirtazo”
And what this unborn baby was celebrating is the arrival of the Messiah.
How did a 6 month old fetus know that the Messiah had just entered his presence?
And how did Elizabeth know all this?
Let’s talk about it that for a second.
I get it…babies in the womb hear voices. When they hear familiar voices they react to that familiar voice with a kick or movement.
As far as we know from the text, Mary has NEVER visited Elizabeth.
JTB has NEVER heard Mary’s voice before.
So we can’t explain it away with babies in the womb hear voices and recognize them.
This is the POWER of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
In verse 15 Gabriel says he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.
This shouldn’t be understood as an indwelling of the spirit as with Christians being permanently indwelled by the Holy Spirt at the moment of salvation.
Most commentators agree this was the moment that JTB began being filled with the Holy Spirit.
This is the POWER of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
2. The Joy of Elizabeth
Just like we learned several weeks ago, this filling with the Holy Spirit should NOT be understood as an indwelling of the spirit as with Christians being permanently indwelled by the Holy Spirt at the moment of salvation.
Christ still has not lived, died, risen and ascended to send the helper Holy Spirit to indwell people.
This is still describing Old Testament Holy Spirit ministry.
This has nothing to do with salvation.
This was temporary and this temporary filling, as Apologist Charles Ryrie says:
Apologist Charles Ryrie says:
is seen as the Spirit coming upon an individual for a specific task.
The Spirit’s indwelling was a sovereign working of God in the person to perform a specific task,
What task is not obvious, but I believe the next verses gives us a little bit of an idea.
Because Eliza
Luke 1:42-
42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?
42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
The verb here cried out has the sense to shout.
The noun voice has the sense of a loud, articulate and emotional utterance. A shouting.
And the adjective loud has a sense of producing sound of great volume.
Loresa would describe Elizabeth here as being “excited!!!”
You know how it is, when you are excited about something....your voice gets really loud.
Jacqueline often tells me…you’re loud! But when you’re excited…who could blame you.
and who could blame Elizabeth?
She says...
Blessed are you among women
Blessed are you among women
According to the Jewish ideas of the day, a woman’s greatness was measured by the greatness of the child she gave birth to.
Jesuit priest and professor emeritus at the Catholic University of America Joseph Fitzmyer wrote
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
the mother of the Kyrios (1:43) would naturally be said to surpass all others.
Jesuit priest and professor
Blessed is the fruit of your womb
The NIV translates this blessed is the child you will bear.
The ISV translates this how blessed is the baby in your womb
In other words…Jesus had already been conceived.
And Elizabeth knew it and confirms it…verse 43
43 “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?
my Lord
The New American Commentary says:
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
Here “Lord” is clearly a Christological title and refers to Jesus.
The title Lord in Luke’s Gospel is used both for Jesus AND for God.
It is used for Jesus 21 times in Luke compared to 6 times in Mark.
Although it is the resurrection that unquestionably recognizes Jesus as Lord as Peter informs the people he is rebuking in:
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
this verse is confirming Jesus was Lord from conception.
So this passage is revealing the greatness of Mary’s child before he’s even born.
What God had done in Mary is far superior even to what He had done in Elizabeth.
But…there’s something that I need to clarify here. Because many have sadly used this passage as proof text for worshipping Mary.
Commentator Robert Stein says
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
What God had done in Mary outshone even what God had done in Elizabeth. Mary was blessed here not because of her faith, as in Luke 1:45; rather her blessedness depended entirely on her son and his greatness.
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
Mary was blessed here not because of her faith, as in Luke 1:45; rather her blessedness depended entirely on her son and his greatness.
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
This blessing is not to be interpreted as a call to praise/ bless Mary but as an affirmation that Mary stood in a state of blessedness.
So we should be careful not to elevate Mary to a status of holiness and divinity that is equal to that of Jesus as some are apt to do.
Stein continues
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
Mary’s blessedness was based on the blessedness of the child she would bear. This fits an OT pattern in which the second blessing gives the cause of the first
For example:
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
Although the two blessings stand essentially parallel, i.e., they are in parataxis, the first stands logically in subordination to the second. Mary’s blessedness was based on the blessedness of the child she would bear. This fits an OT pattern in which the second blessing gives the cause of the first (cf. Gen 14:19–20; Deut 7:14; Ruth 2:20; cf. also Jdt 13:18).59
19 He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all.
Then Elizabeth affirms the baby’s celebration in verse 44
“For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.
Luke 1:44
Luke 1:44
And Elizabeth finishes her shouts of praise:
“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”
Elizabeth’s praise both begins and ends with reference to Mary’s blessedness.
So how did Elizabeth know all this?
Here, Mary is blessed because of her faith.
Wiersbe says:
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Hear the Good News! (Luke 1)
The thing that Elizabeth emphasized was Mary’s faith: “Blessed is she that believed” (Luke 1:45). We are saved “by grace … through faith” (Eph. 2:8–9). Because Mary believed the Word of God, she experienced the power of God.
What a great contrast between Mary a 14 year old girl and Zacharias the old Priest.
It goes to show that you don’t have to be a spiritual leader to have great faith.
And so did Elizabeth.
Mary was proof of that.
Because in the filling of the Holy Spirit, God gave Elizabeth understanding that she did not have previously.
How else would Elizabeth surmise from her baby’s jumping around in her womb that:
I have a more important question, how did a 6 month old fetus know all this?
And how did Elizabeth know all this?
Let’s talk about it that for a second.
I get it…babies in the womb hear voices. When they hear familiar voices they react to that familiar voice with a kick or movement.
As far as we know from the text, Mary has NEVER visited Elizabeth.
JTB has NEVER heard Mary’s voice before.
So we can’t explain it away with babies in the womb hear voices and recognize them.
Ok…so there’s more hard to explain stuff.
Have you ever heard of the expression reading the tea leaves?
****Explain tea leaves…pickup here****
How did Elizabeth surmise from her baby’s jumping around in her womb that:
Mary was pregnant though she’s not showing yet.
Mary was carrying her Lord and Savior?
How did she know that God spoke to Mary also and
How did Elizabeth know Mary believed what God had said?
This is why she was filled with the Spirit.
Luke would not have left out that in Mary’s greeting she told Elizabeth everything that has happened to her before Elizabeth sang this psalm.
Luke would not have wanted us to understand that Elizabeth understood all this because of being filled by the Spirit if it didn’t really happen that way.
This is why she was filled with the Spirit.
This was the task.
The task was to affirm to Elizabeth what Gabriel told Zacharias…that she was carrying the forerunner.
To affirm to her that the Messiah was truly coming.
That the S.U.N. of righteousness was rising.
The NAC says
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
John and Elizabeth were filled with the Holy Spirit even before John’s birth. Thus they were the first persons to realize that Mary’s child is the Messiah.
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
Thus they were the first persons to realize that Mary’s child is the Messiah.
I could go on and on about how amazing this is.
That despite having a underdeveloped brain, with the barrier of both his mom’s belly and Mary’s and unable to see Jesus himself, the power of the Holy Spirit enabled John to know that the Messiah was present.
And despite having no information about Mary’s pregnancy and without a word from Mary, and no signs of pregnancy...within minutes Elizabeth knew not only that Mary was pregnant, but pregnant with the Lord and Savior of the world.
Now that’s power! That’s the power of being filled with our God the Holy Spirit.
And that’s the power that lives inside all of us that believe that Jesus is the Christ.
3. The Joy of Mary
Paul says:
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
That the hymn that follows conveys a correct Christological understanding is evident from the character description of Elizabeth in 1:6 and from the fact that she was filled with the Holy Spirit as she spoke.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:18
****determine if the word filled here and in paul’s ephesian passage are the same.
everything that she sang in this hymn in verse
Elizabeth and John were controlled
Application
It is Christ in us that should be exalted not us.
Joy
Mary’s joy was so great it compelled her to break out into singing a song of praise.
Wieresbe says that the theme of this section is of
Like Elizabeth’s words of praise, Mary sang to magnify the Lord, not herself.
Wiersbe again says:
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Hear the Good News! (Luke 1)
She used the phrase “He hath” eight times as she recounted what God had done for three recipients of His blessing.
A. What God did for Mary
46 And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. 49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.
****What a great contrast between the narrative of
Here in verse 47 we see another reason that Mary should not be elevated to holy status.
Mary is rejoicing in God her savior. This is an indication that Mary was a sinner just like the rest of us and needed a savior too.
Not only did he save her, but she’s praising God for choosing her to bear the Messiah.
In 1 Corinthians Chapter 1 we see Paul is teaching how God chooses the lesser of the world to shame the better. WHY?
verse 29
29 so that no man may boast before God.
Mary knows that God could have chosen anyone else, but he chose her and she’s grateful.
B. What God did for us
50 “And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him. 51 “He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. 52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. 53 “He has filled the hungry with good things; And sent away the rich empty-handed.
With the coming Messiah, Mary knew that God was creating a new normal.
the weak dethrone the mighty
the humble scatter the proud
the hungry are filled
the rich end up poor.
She was singing here of the grace of God and how it was contrary to the ways of the world.
And isn’t it interesting how similar it is
It is quite interesting the wording of this praise.
I don’t have time to get into it here, but when you have time in your own personal study…compare these verses to the Sermon on the Mount in .
C. What God did for Israel
54 “He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.”
Despite Israel being in darkness, they were still God’s servant.
And because God is perfect and never changes and never never breaks His promises, Mary can sing this.
Because God was keeping His promises through this Child.
Through the Child that Mary would give birth to, God was being merciful to Abraham and his descendants.
According to the Bible Knowledge Commentary Mary was able to sing this because
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:46–55
Mary was aware that the birth of her Child was a fulfillment of the covenant promises to Abraham and his people.
Remember last time I said there would be a little detail from that would be interesting or even important once we got down to v. 56? Let’s look at these two verses and compare.
*****Finish this with Wiersbe’s observations of Joy.****
And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.
Remember last time I said there would be a little detail from that would be interesting or even important once we got down to v. 56?
Let’s look at these two verses and compare.
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,
Verse 26 says In the sixth month...
In the sixth month...
and v. 56 says
And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.
luke 1:56
Mary, was present at the birth of John the Baptist.
That’s a little detail that we could miss if we’re not looking at the whole picture.
Wiersbe points out another detail that we miss if we don’t pay attention.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth until John was born, and then she returned to Nazareth. By then, it was clear that she was pregnant, and no doubt the tongues began to wag. After all, she had been away from home for three months; and why, people were likely asking, had she left in such a hurry?
Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 174.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Hear the Good News! (Luke 1)
Mary stayed with Elizabeth until John was born, and then she returned to Nazareth. By then, it was clear that she was pregnant, and no doubt the tongues began to wag. After all, she had been away from home for three months; and why, people were likely asking, had she left in such a hurry?
Her Joy would be challenged. The nay sayers would begin to attack. Even her betrothed Joseph was planning to divorce her albeit secretly.
And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.
BUT!!!
One of the best words in the Bible BUT.
Remember…it is an indicator that a change of direction is about to happen.
Mary was about to lose EVERYTHING! You remember what we learned about the betrothal process.
You know what Joseph’s rights are.
You know what her father’s rights are, what the law says he can do to her.
But you also remember her faith.
Verse 26 says In the sixth month...and v. 56 says
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Hear the Good News! (Luke 1)
The thing that Elizabeth emphasized was Mary’s faith: “Blessed is she that believed” (Luke 1:45). We are saved “by grace … through faith” (Eph. 2:8–9). Because Mary believed the Word of God, she experienced the power of God.
56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.
And experience the power of God she did.
Mary, was present at the birth of John the Baptist.
But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
Math 1:20
And then he goes on to explain how this Son fulfills God’s promises through Isaiah
That’s a little detail that we could miss if we’re not looking at the whole picture.
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
And Joseph woke up and did just as he was commanded, took Mary as his wife.
Matt 1:23
Accepting the criticism and the shame that will go no doubt come to him too.
Wiersbe points out another detail that we miss if we don’t pay attention.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Hear the Good News! (Luke 1)
Mary stayed with Elizabeth until John was born, and then she returned to Nazareth. By then, it was clear that she was pregnant, and no doubt the tongues began to wag. After all, she had been away from home for three months
People were likely asking:
Why did she leave in such a hurry?
Mary stayed with Elizabeth until John was born, and then she returned to Nazareth. By then, it was clear that she was pregnant, and no doubt the tongues began to wag. After all, she had been away from home for three months
Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 174.
Her Joy would be challenged. The nay sayers would begin to attack.
Even her betrothed Joseph was planning to divorce her albeit secretly.
19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.
BUT!!!
One of the best words in the Bible BUT.
Remember…it is an indicator that a change of direction is about to happen.
Mary was about to lose EVERYTHING!
You remember what we learned about the betrothal process.
You know what Joseph’s rights are.
You know what her father’s rights are, what the law says he can do to her.
20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
An Joseph woke up from that dream and did as he was commanded.
And took Mary as his wife.
Accepting the criticism and the shame that will no doubt come to him too.
These three examples of rejoicing demonstrate that nothing is impossible for God.
We as the church, like Mary, Elizabeth and John to rejoice in the salvation brought by Jesus.
The church is to rejoice in the salvation brought by Jesus’ faithful life, death and powerful resurrection.
This is a lesson to all of us on how to rejoice.
We as the church, like Mary, Elizabeth and John should rejoice in the salvation brought by Jesus.
Because, Joy is the hallmark of the kingdom of God.
It is one of fruit of the spirit.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Even mountains and the hills and the trees rejoice in our Lord.
12 “For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
I
Jesus himself rejoiced in His Father’s will
21 At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
21 At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 22 “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”
luke 10:
So how can we, as the church, demonstrate this joy in the salvation of Jesus Christ?
I believe there are 3 ways we should demonstrate this joy that is the hallmark of the kingdom of God.
1. Joy because of the believer’s faith and obedience.
3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.
3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
As God leads all of us to share our faith and walk in truth and grace, we should rejoice when we hear of others that are doing the same.
We should never have an attitude of competitiveness.
It pains my heart to hear about the churches that here in Kosovo that spend more time protecting their numbers than partnering together to saturate this country with the truth of salvation.
2. Joy because of the believer’s love and concern.
1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.
The context of this passage is Paul talking about how he was having it rough, that he was afflicted, afraid and depressed.
He was comforted by a visit from Titus but comforted even more to the point of rejoicing at the reports from Titus about the Church’s concern for him.
I know that when we were struggling our first year here, it was the encouragement from home and teammates that strengthened us and we rejoiced that God had provided us with such a great support base.
3. Joy because of the believer’s partnership in the gospel.
4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
I remember the second Sunday latest cedarville team worshipped with us. After I had taught my lesson, Johnathan and Alivia sang these two songs that brought me to such a great place of worship.
Php 1:4-6
Afterwards I remember how joyful I was.
And any time we experience some sort of event together, Ground breaking, ribbon cutting, Rugova trip, Christmas open house or a simple parent teacher night…I know that I am thankful that you are my teammates.
It is my joy to work with you, eat with you, laugh with you, walk with you, worship with you and of course…as you can see now…Cry with you.
You are a gift to me and Jacqueline.
I’d like to close with this prayer of Joy from a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions called the Valley of Vision
1 O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. 3 For the Lord is a great God And a great King above all gods, 4 In whose hand are the depths of the earth, The peaks of the mountains are His also. 5 The sea is His, for it was He who made it, And His hands formed the dry land. 6 Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. 7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you would hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness,
O CHRIST,
All thy ways of mercy tend to and end in
my delight.
Thou didst weep, sorrow, suffer that I might rejoice.
For my joy thou hast sent the Comforter,
multiplied thy promises,
shown me my future happiness,
given me a living fountain.
Thou art preparing joy for me and me for joy;
I pray for joy, wait for joy, long for joy;
give me more than I can hold, desire, or think of.
Measure out to me my times and degrees of joy,
at my work, business, duties.
If I weep at night, give me joy in the morning.
Let me rest in the thought of thy love,
pardon for sin, my title to heaven,
my future unspotted state.
I am an unworthy recipient of thy grace.
I often disesteem thy blood and slight thy love,
but can in repentance draw water
from the wells of thy joyous forgiveness.
Let my heart leap towards the eternal sabbath,
where the work of redemption, sanctification,
preservation, glorification is finished
and perfected for ever,
where thou wilt rejoice over me with joy.
There is no joy like the joy of heaven,
for in that state are no sad divisions,
unchristian quarrels,
contentions, evil designs,
weariness, hunger, cold,
sadness, sin, suffering,
persecutions, toils of duty.
O healthful place where none are sick!
O happy land where all are kings!
O holy assembly where all are priests!
How free a state where none are servants
except to thee!
Bring me speedily to the land of joy.
Sermon Outlines on the Book of Psalms 25. The Joy of Salvation
Joy
Joy is a fruit that will not grow
In nature’s barren soil;
All we can boast, till Christ we know,
Is vanity and toil.
But where the Lord hath planted grace,
And made His glories known,
These fruits of heavenly joy and peace
Are found, and there alone.
—John Newton