Put on Your Joy Goggles
Seeing Jesus Through the Eyes of a Friend • Sermon • Submitted
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· 19 viewsThe disciples are confused and scared. Jesus speaks truth in love to them.
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Introduction
Opening Illustration - Glasses and me have been constant companions since first grade. We are long time friends! I remember...
In order to see the hand of God working, you need to put on your Joy Goggles!
This life is hard and if we don’t have the right perspective, we can easily misinterpret the world around us!
That is exactly what Jesus is trying to do for His disciples in our passage today. They still are fuzzy on what is about to happen. All they know is Jesus keeps telling them He is going away and they just don’t understand! The thought of losing their mentor, rabbi and friend is devastating them and they’re not sure what to do! Sorrow is beginning to take it’s toll and overwhelm them...
Main Idea - Only Jesus Can Bring True Joy from Our Sorrow
Transition -
Point 1.
1. Jesus’ Ways Can be Confusing (vs. 16-18)
Have you ever been in a conversation that you were completely lost? Just not understanding what the person who is talking is saying? I have, and of course, my pride often keeps me from admitting to them that I have no idea what they are talking about. I just keep nodding in agreement as if I had a clue what they were talking about. I was really good at this with my Algebra teacher! Unfortunately, my test scores would eventually reveal the truth about my comprehension of the material.
16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.”
Well, the disciples, I suspect, are having a similar time with what the Lord has been communicating to them. Look at the text with me...
“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.”
Explain -
Well, the disciples, I suspect, are having a similar time with what the Lord has been communicating to them.
Vs. 16 - The reality is that within hours, the Lord will be arrested, tried (illegally in the middle of the night by the way), hung on a cross and buried in a borrowed tomb. And His disciples will no longer see Him.
But, on the third day, they will see Him as the resurrected Christ! These words, made perfect sense to the Lord, but they confused His disciples. They couldn’t figure out what he was saying! In fact, John records for us that they basically repeated His words to each other and, with a shrug said something to the effect of “what in the world is he talking about?” He was speaking “algebra” to them! They simply didn’t understand. Remember from the prior passage, Jesus told them that their sorrow at the thought of losing Him was clouding the greater purposes of His departure...
They didn’t understand about the crucifixion, the death and burial of Christ. And they certainly couldn’t conceive of the Resurrection. This was a big confusing mess from their perspective.
But from Jesus’ perspective, this was the plan the Father laid forth from before the beginning of time…before the foundations of the earth. This was the culmination of His purpose. This is why Jesus came. They were looking through the wrong goggles. They were looking through the lens of self and they just couldn’t see clearly at all!
Illustrate - I really hate getting new glasses...
Apply - Folks, Jesus was giving the disciples and entirely differently lens to look through. A lens that would enable them to see things more clearly than they ever had before in their lives.
The concept of the resurrection should not have been a new concept for them.
10 But a man dies and is laid low; man breathes his last, and where is he? 11 As waters fail from a lake and a river wastes away and dries up, 12 so a man lies down and rises not again; till the heavens are no more he will not awake or be roused out of his sleep. 13 Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would conceal me until your wrath be past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me! 14 If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my service I would wait, till my renewal should come.
But a man dies and is laid low;
man breathes his last, and where is he?
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,
25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. 26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.
Job
It is far easier, it seems, to see these things in light of the reality of the resurrection that the disciples could pre-resurrection.
It is far easier, it seems, to see these things in light of the reality of the resurrection that the disciples could pre-resurrection.
Thought were still fuzzy and confusing. Things were not clear! They were looking at the situation and trying to figure out how this affected them individually. They were devastated at the reality of their future loss, they failed to see that God had a much bigger purpose and plan for the loss of their friend and teacher. After all, He was their Savior. And in order to save, He must first lay down His life!
Don’t we do the same thing? When life’s realities begin to hit us and hit us hard, isn’t it interesting that the immediate thing we tend to think of is, “how does this affect me?” It was their deep sorrow at the thought of losing their mentor, they friend, their Rabbi that clouded their thinking to God’s bigger, more glorious purposes. Does that ever happen to you?
It happened to Joni Erickson Tada...
What are you going through right now? What is causing you confusion? What circumstance are you wrestling with that is tempting you to look within instead of seeing God bigger plan? What circumstance, what sin of selfishness is stealing your joy?
Review - Only Jesus can bring true joy from our sorrow...
Jesus’ ways can be confusing...
2. Jesus’ Words Should be Liberating (vs. 19-22)
Jesus’ earnest desire is to comfort His friends in what will become one of their darkest hours.
Side note: isn’t interesting that comforting His friends is His goal for them while His darkest hour looms over Him (when the Father will pour His wrath on the innocent Son for the sins of the guilty world)? This is our Savior! More concerned about others than Himself. And so, He works very hard in the next few verses to speak as plainly, frankly and lovingly as He can...
19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
Explain - Jesus knew they were struggling with all he was throwing at them. As He was listening to them He could hear their confusion, He could sense their dismay! And so He launches into His famous, listen up phrases, “Truly, Truly, I say to you...” And he throws several truth bombs on them. Truth that will help them see past there immediate circumstances so they can see the joy that is waiting for them. And if we listen carefully, there is help for us here this morning as well.
Truth #1 - You will be devastated because death devastates - I have been around a lot of death lately from watching the vet put our beloved dog tucker down, to my cousin’s murder/suicide, to my former 36 year old neighbor’s suicide this past week to saying goodbye to Carrie Searles Uncle Frank this past week, I can tell you first hand, death is awful! It is devastating to see someone’s life on this earth come to an end. It has a profound affect on so many people! Perhaps the hardest part about death is it’s finality.
Before my dad died four years ago I could call him up when I had a question about building or fixing something. He would talk me through a solution or come over and help me figure it out. I can’t call him anymore. He’s no longer around to bounce things off of? His death is devastatingly final and no matter how much I wish he were here, he is not and he will not ever be in this life.
Jesus was preparing His disciples for His death. This brutal event that was just hours away. Jesus would be taken, beaten beyond recognition, flogged, spat upon, mocked and eventually hung on a wooden cross with nails piercing His hands and feet! He didn’t just die, He was killed in the most gruesome and painful ways imaginable. The kicker of His death is he didn’t deserve it. He was innocent of any crime, any sin, He was sinless and perfect. Why was He killed? Well the Jews had their reasons and the Romans had their reasons but what really matters is God’s reason for killing His Son. Listen to the prophet Isaiah...
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
Isa 53
10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
Some 700 years before the brutal event, Isaiah tell His readers what will take place in order to placate God’s anger agains them and give them the possibility for redemption. The disciples would live through what Isaiah said would happen. And it would be grievous, gruesome and devastating. Because death is devastating! Especially the death of God’s Son!
That’s Truth #1 - You will be devastated because death is devastating!
Truth #2 - The World will Rejoice - The people that welcomed Jesus into town as their savior with palm branches will soon turn on Him. The ones that rejoiced at His arrival will soon rejoice at His death! It is interesting that Jesus uses the term “World”. This is a very important word in John’s writings. The “world” is the group of people who are against God. Enemies of God!
The beautiful truth is how God treats His enemies...
10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Even though His enemies wanted Him dead, He wanted to die to save His enemies! Wow! This is the Gospel!
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The fact is, the world (the system agains God) hates the Jesus of the Bible. Why? Because in order to be saved by Him, one must humble themselves before Him. They must admit that they are not the king of their world in order to have Him be the King of their world. And there are a lot of people out their that do not want to give up their throne! So, it is easier to hate Jesus than to submit to Him - for now.
Truth #1 - Death is devastating
Truth #2 - The World will rejoice at His death
Truth #3 - You will become joyful because I will beat death - On one hand, death is devastating! On the other, Jesus knows the end of the game! He knows that their sorrow will be turned to Joy. And do you know why they will be joyful? The resurrection! He knows they will show up at the grave on Sunday morning only to find it empty! Their faith is a real faith because of the resurrection!
Truth #3 - You will become joyful because I will beat death -
Jesus gives a great illustration - Look at it this way - the birth of a baby...
21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
My wife after the tormenting pain of childbirth, held the baby and said, I could do that again? What? Have you lost your mind?
Folks, Jesus rose from the dead! That means if you and I are in Christ, while we will die in this life, we will be raised up to eternal life!
The disciples were going to go through a tremendous trial watching Jesus die, but they would rejoice at His resurrection from the dead.
After Jesus would ascend into heaven, the disciples would have lives full of trials and tribulations, but the joy of the resurrection would buoy their spirits! The hope that the resurrection gave them would help them to persevere to the end! Ultimately because of the resurrection, they would see their rabbi once again, face to face and that would erase all the pain this life gave them.
It Will Be Worth It All
Sometimes the day seems long,
Our trials hard to bear.
We´re tempted to complain,
to murmur and despair.
But Christ will soon appear
to catch his bride away!
All tears forever over
in God’s eternal day!
CHORUS:
It will be worth it all
when we see Jesus!
Life’s trials will seem so small
when we see Christ.
One glimpse of his dear face,
all sorrow will erase.
So, bravely run the race
till we see Christ.
22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
Do you feel this way about seeing Jesus? I hope you do!
Truth #1 - Death is devastating
Truth #2 - The World will rejoice at His death
Truth #3 - Jesus beats death!
Now think about what kind of men the disciples turned into. Bold and fearless!
My resurrection will absolutely blow you away!
Peter - Who denied Christ now preached before those who killed Christ!
12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
The Disciples who ran from supporting Christ during His death now boldly proclaimed His death to all who would hear - and they paid the price!
41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
Even Paul
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.
Jesus’ disciples were no longer fearful and timid! The bold. And their boldness was fueled by joy and the Holy Spirit!
52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Apply -
Jesus, on the night before His death is speaking some serious and hopeful truth to His friends! He is telling them that the fear they are now and will soon experience will fade away because of the Resurrection! Think about it. If the ultimate fear of death is removed from the equation what else is there to be fearful of? So then fear should be replaces with confidence in the promises of God, power from the Holy Spirit and a JOY that just CAN’T quit!
Can you say liberating!?
What are you facing today? What is stifling you? hindering you? keeping you from the abundant, liberating life God has for you? Do you believe that you have been freed from the realities of eternal death?
Review - Only Jesus can bring true joy from our sorrow...
Jesus’ Ways Can be Confusing
2. Jesus’ Words Should be Liberating...
3. Jesus’ Name Is Joy Filling! (vs. 23-24)
Have you ever wondered why Christians most alway end their prayers with, “In Jesus Name, Amen”? Well, our last two verses shed some light on this question...
23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Explain - Life is about to change dramatically for the disciples. There master is going away. Over the past three years as they lived life with Jesus, they could ask Him anything and He would be able to respond immediately. Soon, that would all change.
“In that day you will ask nothing of me.”
They won’t ask Jesus, they will ask the Father in Jesus Name!
It is interesting that the verb “to ask” (erotao) in Classical Greek, means “to ask a question’ rather than “to ask for something”. There is another Greek work for “to ask for something. (aiteo).
In the the Greek used in the time of the New Testament writings, however, “erotao” could mean either.
For example in the gospel of John - “ask a question”
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
Or “to ask for something”
Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
In verse 23 it certainly and legitimately can be translated “ask for something”
However, it is also possible that this promise is for a more pressing concern - the disciples repeated requests for information.
Why is this important?
Because, for the disciples, Jesus was their answer man! He spoke truth and taught them in all things. He was now leaving them and He wanted to assure them that although they would still have their share of questions (even more so, most likely), that they would still be answered. The answers you will seek, you won’t ask me like you’ve asked me in the past. You will ask the Father in Heaven and he will give you the answers you seek. And you ask Him in my Name. He will give you what you need! You will be “in the know”!
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
D. A. Carson - ‘In that day, you will no longer ask me anything’, as you have been doing, for then you will truly know and understand. Christians are the ones who, by definition, truly know (cf. ), for it is a mark of the changing pattern of redemptive history under the new covenant that they have been greatly informed as to what God is doing: indeed, that is the very reason why Jesus has called them his ‘friends’ (cf. notes on 15:14, 15). D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991), 545.
Illustrate -
‘In that day, you will no longer ask me anything’, as you have been doing, for then you will truly know and understand. Christians are the ones who, by definition, truly know (cf. ), for it is a mark of the changing pattern of redemptive history under the new covenant that they have been greatly informed as to what God is doing: indeed, that is the very reason why Jesus has called them his ‘friends’ (cf. notes on 15:14, 15).
D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991), 545.
So for those of you here today still wrestling with doubts and wanting to more fully understand who God is and what His plan for the ages is, come to Him in faith. Place your trust in Him as Savior and allow His Father to be your Father in Heaven. Allow His Spirit to take up residence within you. Experience the peace that passes all understanding and be supernaturally informed about God as He teaches you about Himself.
Carson - “…become a Christian, for only then can one truly settle one’s religious qualms and questions and rest with quietness in the eschatological community of those who know God and are satisfied.”
Now we know that the disciples had, up to this point both asked for things, and asked question of Jesus. But they had never asked the Father in Jesus’ name. This would become the standard practice after Pentecost.
Ask for things that will help in the furtherance of the gospel - You will receive it!
Ask a question for clarity and understanding of the Truth of God - You will receive it!
Has this changed? Was this kind of prayer and promised answer reserved only for the first century disciples? Were they some sort of super christians? Nope! They were simple, ordinary people, filled with the Spirit of God who accomplished great things for God! And it was because they recognized their inability to produce Godliness that they were instructed by Jesus to God to the Father, in His name so they would receive power from on High to accomplish what they could never do on their own...
And do you see the promise?
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
That your JOY may be FULL! - That your Joy cup is filled to overflowing!
What is Joy?
Jack Wellman who is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas defines joy this way...
Joy isn’t like happiness which is based upon happenings or whether things are going well or not. No, joy remains even amidst the suffering. Joy is not happiness. Joy is an emotion that’s acquired by the anticipation, acquisition or even the expectation of something great or wonderful. It could be described as exhilaration, delight, sheer gladness, and can result from a great success or a very beautiful or wonderful experience like a wedding or graduation but the definition of joy that the world holds is not nearly as amazing as biblical joy but joy is also gift. - Read more at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2015/05/21/what-is-the-biblical-definition-of-joy-how-does-the-bible-define-joy/#tolppTcIGsqblTaZ.99
Read more at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2015/05/21/what-is-the-biblical-definition-of-joy-how-does-the-bible-define-joy/#tolppTcIGsqblTaZ.99
Joy isn’t like happiness which is based upon happenings or whether things are going well or not. No, joy remains even amidst the suffering. Joy is not happiness. Joy is an emotion that’s acquired by the anticipation, acquisition or even the expectation of something great or wonderful. It could be described as exhilaration, delight, sheer gladness, and can result from a great success or a very beautiful or wonderful experience like a wedding or graduation but the definition of joy that the world holds is not nearly as amazing as biblical joy but joy is also gift. - Read more at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2015/05/21/what-is-the-biblical-definition-of-joy-how-does-the-bible-define-joy/#tolppTcIGsqblTaZ.99
Answered prayer brings Fullness of Joy!
Joy comes from the Spirit
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Joy stays during suffering
6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
Joy is born from Hope
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
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.
Joy is rooted in Christ!
10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Joy should translate into our Worship throughout the week and culminate on Sunday!
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
1 Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.
27 Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!”
Psalm 35
4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.
This is the kind of life we, as His disciples should have. And to the extent that we don’t, PRAY!
23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
God wants you, to be full of Joy! He wants you to open your spiritual eyes and see all that you have in Christ! He wants you to come to Him and ask Him anything and He will answer! He wants you to come to Him and ask Him for the resources necessary to be the Christian He has called you to be, and He will give it liberally! And when you see Him answer your prayer, your joy will increase! And you then will ask Him for more and He will answer and your joy will increase!
Ask the Father, in Jesus name, whatever you need to be the follower He desires for you to be and He will give it to you!
Ask the Father, in Jesus name whatever you need to understand about being the kind of follower He wants you to be and He will, by His Spirit and through His Word, show you. You have everything that you need that pertains to life and Godliness at your disposal. Go in and dig it out! If you do you will have FULL JOY!
Self-focus and selfishness will never deliver the Joy it promises to. NEVER. There is only one way to have lasting JOY! You have to put your goggles on in order to see it!
The church of Jesus Christ should be so JOY-Filled that the World would look in and say, “What is happening in there? No matter what trials they face, no matter what life throws at them, they ‘count it all JOY!’”
Answered prayer brings the Fullness of Joy!
Illustrate - ???
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Talking about giving these guys everything they need to build the church and further the Kingdom. This is what God will ALWAYS answer!
Apply - Do you pray for this? Do you ask the Lord to give you what ever is necessary to help you to grow in Christlikeness so that you can be the best servant possible for His glory? By the way, He will give you what you need, not necessarily what you want...
Ask the Father, in Jesus name whatever you need to understand about being the kind of follower He wants you to be and He will, by His Spirit and through His Word, show you. You have everything that you need that pertains to life and Godliness at your disposal. Go in and dig it out! If you do you will have FULL JOY!
Self-focus and selfishness will never deliver the Joy it promised to. NEVER. There is only one way to have lasting JOY! You have to put your goggles on in order to see it!
Review - Only Jesus can bring true joy from our sorrow...
Jesus’ Ways Can be Confusing
2. Jesus’ Words Should be Liberating...
3. Jesus’ Name Is Joy-Filling!
Conclusion
It’s been a long time since I got my glasses, but I can’t imagine life without them! They correct my vision so I can see clearly. What a gift! God has given you spiritual goggles that enable you to see clearly the things that otherwise would be fuzzy and confusing.
If you are not a christian here this morning, you need these goggles to rightly interpret life! And the only way that can happen is if by faith you accept Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life...
If you are a joyless christian this morning let me encourage you to put your goggles back on. Fight for Joy! Don’t give up! Imagine if each one hear were perpetually filled with Joy? We wouldn’t have a building big enough to all those who would be beating down our doors!
Application
Concluding thought
5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Invitation
Connection Group Questions
Share some ways you have experienced joy from sorrow.
Jesus’ ways can be confusing at times. When have you been confused by what God has said? What did you do about it?
What are you facing today? What is stifling you? hindering you? keeping you from the abundant, liberating life God has for you?
What are you facing today? What is stifling you? hindering you? keeping you from the abundant, liberating life God has for you?
Do you struggle with joylessness? What have you learned from this text that will help you have full joy? What steps can you take to get there?