Enjoy the Ride

Road Trip  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  30:41
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Introduction

Conclusion of the Series: Road Trip—Our adventure with God.
How should we live?

Romans 12:9-13

Romans 12:9–13 ESV
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Today I want to focus on the words: “Rejoice in hope...”
A characteristic in a Spirit-filled follower of Jesus Christ is joy.
Inward confidence of God’s faithfulness, authority, and promises.
Outward expression of faith that fuels love, generosity, and worship.
Problem: When we get our eyes off of God and His truth, and worry about life, we can easily loose our joy.
Failing to trust God, we get discouraged.
Failing to trust God, we are susceptible to false teaching.
Failing to trust God, we fail to care for others.
Illustration: When you look at the nation of Israel in the Old Testament, you will find a people that oftentimes got their eyes off of God and worried about life.
They lost hope.
They worshipped false gods.
They became selfish.
But for the grace of God—He did not forget about His people—and God will not forget about you.
God brought his people back from exile—and through the leadership of Nehemiah, God gave hope to the people.
What the people of Israel needed was revival! And, revival would come through the Word of God.
Ezra the scribe read the Bible—and as the Word of God was read, the people began to worship
Nehemiah 8:8 ESV
8 They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
As the people understood the word, they grieved over the sorrow of their sin (appropriate).

Nehemiah 8:9-12

Nehemiah 8:9–12 ESV
9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. 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 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
Although sorrow for sin was a positive response, joy at renewed relationship with God was the ultimate purpose of the preaching of the Word.
When we get our eyes off of God we loose our joy.
We worry.
We take matters into our own hands rather than to trust God.
We become vulnerable to sin.
The value of authentic joy is that we are more apt to be confident in our relationship with God, we trust God, and we obey God (and His Word).
How do we get the joy back?

Rejoice in what God says!

Be reminded of what God says in His Word.
John 8:31–32 ESV
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
To “abide” in Jesus’ word means to continue believing what Jesus has said and walking in obedience to Him.
This verse shows that continuing to trust Jesus and obey him is one test of who are truly JESUS’ disciples.
When Israel heard the word, they were overwhelmed at God’s revelation. (SORROW)
But Nehemiah instructed the people to be joyful in the presence of God.
Why? Yes, there are times of God’s judgment for sin—but there is God’s grace and mercy.
Psalm 30:4–5 ESV
4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. 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.
Why should we express joy?

Rejoice in what God has done!

The people of Israel were reminded over and over again of God’s faithfulness of:
Salvation
Healing
Defeating the enemies
Provision
Guidance
Psalm 33:20–22 ESV
20 Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. 22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
Look at what the Lord has done in your life! Count your blessings.

Rejoice in who God is!

What God says and what He does reveals who His is!
Faithful
Holy
Almighty
Loving (Grace)
Conclusion
When we are reminded of what God says, and what He has done, and who His is, how can we not but rejoice.
Psalm 34:1–4 ESV
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Altar Call
Psalm 85:6 ESV
6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
Many of us need to be revived in our relationship with God.
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