Seek for His Joy - Bobby McDonald - July 30, 2014 (Session 7)
Also in
http://rlcfchurch.org/rlcf-youth-conference-2014 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon emphasizes that true joy comes from recognizing Jesus Christ as the preeminent center of one's life and inheritance, drawing from Colossians 1:9-12 and Psalm 16. The speaker cautions against finding comfort in self-pity or worldly ambitions, urging the congregation instead to anchor their hope and joy in the promises of God and the inheritance found in Christ. He concludes by stressing that God desires a joyful, rejoicing life, not one marked by sorrow or self-focus.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Joy in the Lord through Christ's PreeminencePaul prayed that the Colossians would be filled with spiritual wisdom and joyously give thanks, finding their inheritance in the Lord.Colossians 1:9–12
The Lord is Our InheritancePsalm 16 shows that God Himself is the portion of our inheritance and our cup, making our heritage beautiful.
Avoiding a Self-Pitying SpiritWalking around with a chip on your shoulder or feeling sorry for yourself is not humble; it is just another form of self-focus that displeases God.
The Priority of Joy: Jesus, Others, YourselfTrue joy is found by prioritizing Jesus first, others second, and yourself last, which helps lift personal burdens.
Fixing Our Eyes on JesusBelievers are instructed to look past their problems and fix their eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him.Hebrews 12:2
Rejoicing in the Lord AlwaysThe command is to rejoice in the Lord always, making it an act of the will and a choice rather than merely a feeling.Philippians 4:4
Preaching Truth to Your SoulLike the psalmist in Psalm 42, we must learn to preach to ourselves when in despair, commanding our souls to hope in God.
The Danger of Complaining Against GodComplaining is a serious sin because God is sovereign over all things; murmuring against circumstances is ultimately murmuring against God.Lamentations 3:39
God Weaves Our Mistakes Into GoodJust as a master weaver uses mistakes to make a blanket more beautiful, God works even our failures and past mistakes for ultimate good.
Grieving and Rebuilding God's JoySin grieves the Holy Spirit, but just as heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents, our repentance brings joy back to God.Ephesians 4:30
Sin Shall Not Be Master Over YouUnder grace, believers have the wonderful promise that sin does not have to rule over them and they can experience ongoing deliverance.Romans 6:14
Sowing to the Spirit Versus Sowing to the FleshBelievers make a daily choice to feed either the flesh or the spirit, and starving the flesh leads to eternal life and spiritual growth.
