1 00:00:29,859 --> 00:00:34,179 And aren't you glad we have an opportunity to have a part in missions? 2 00:00:34,979 --> 00:00:35,459 It is. 3 00:00:35,459 --> 00:00:36,499 It's a great opportunity. 4 00:00:36,499 --> 00:00:37,859 It's a great privilege. 5 00:00:38,259 --> 00:00:44,419 Go ahead and open your Bibles in tonight to first Peter is. 6 00:00:45,379 --> 00:00:46,779 That clock right there is correct? 7 00:00:46,779 --> 00:00:47,219 Correct. 8 00:00:47,779 --> 00:00:48,659 6:58. 9 00:00:49,059 --> 00:00:49,739 Okay, good. 10 00:00:49,739 --> 00:00:51,019 I don't want to keep pulling mine out. 11 00:00:51,019 --> 00:00:52,779 I have to be finished by 7:30. 12 00:00:52,779 --> 00:00:53,939 That should be plenty of time. 13 00:00:58,429 --> 00:01:00,109 I made this brief in my mind. 14 00:01:02,589 --> 00:01:04,429 I'm supposed to be brief in our. 15 00:01:05,069 --> 00:01:08,509 In our Bridge to Recovery meeting sermons. 16 00:01:08,509 --> 00:01:10,789 I'm supposed to be at the most like 20, 25 minutes. 17 00:01:10,789 --> 00:01:16,109 I almost always go over it, but I don't have a choice. 18 00:01:16,109 --> 00:01:19,109 Tonight the kids are coming back in, so I have to stop at 7:30. 19 00:01:19,109 --> 00:01:21,549 They're going to come in about 7:40, but I'm going to stop before 20 00:01:21,549 --> 00:01:22,189 7:30. 21 00:01:23,309 --> 00:01:25,989 I abbreviated this anyway for this purpose. 22 00:01:25,989 --> 00:01:28,749 So I want to talk to you tonight about joy. 23 00:01:29,149 --> 00:01:31,389 About joy with a twist. 24 00:01:33,469 --> 00:01:34,509 Christian joy. 25 00:01:34,509 --> 00:01:35,269 Christian joy. 26 00:01:35,269 --> 00:01:40,269 It's a topic that really is bigger than our own personal satisfaction 27 00:01:40,269 --> 00:01:40,989 or happiness. 28 00:01:42,269 --> 00:01:43,309 Now listen to this. 29 00:01:43,309 --> 00:01:48,269 A Christian's joy really is rooted in a theological understanding 30 00:01:48,269 --> 00:01:50,469 that overflows into our daily living. 31 00:01:50,469 --> 00:01:53,859 Now I'm not saying that you have to be a theology, a theological 32 00:01:53,859 --> 00:01:57,619 major, a theological scholar in order to understand joy or to 33 00:01:57,619 --> 00:01:59,819 even have joy, but it really is. 34 00:01:59,899 --> 00:02:00,499 It is. 35 00:02:00,499 --> 00:02:05,579 Joy is rooted in a theological understanding that overflows into 36 00:02:05,579 --> 00:02:06,459 our daily living. 37 00:02:07,019 --> 00:02:13,019 Now Christians ought to be, and I'm sure you'll amen this, Christians 38 00:02:13,019 --> 00:02:17,739 ought to be the most joyful, the most joyous people in the world. 39 00:02:17,979 --> 00:02:18,939 We ought to be. 40 00:02:19,229 --> 00:02:23,309 If we stop and consider who we were, where we were, and what God 41 00:02:23,309 --> 00:02:26,469 saved us from and who he saved, we ought to be the most joyful 42 00:02:26,469 --> 00:02:27,229 people in the world. 43 00:02:27,789 --> 00:02:32,869 But the fact of the matter is we rarely think of joy in terms of 44 00:02:32,869 --> 00:02:34,909 how it affects others. 45 00:02:35,309 --> 00:02:39,629 We always think about joy, how it affects me in my circumstances, 46 00:02:39,629 --> 00:02:40,669 in my situation. 47 00:02:40,669 --> 00:02:43,069 I always think about joy in terms of me. 48 00:02:44,189 --> 00:02:47,229 But we never really stop to think about how joy affects others. 49 00:02:48,089 --> 00:02:53,689 Only for me, we get to that place where we might even think joy 50 00:02:53,689 --> 00:02:54,569 is optional. 51 00:02:56,329 --> 00:03:03,968 But when we understand how much joy is actually as much for 52 00:03:03,968 --> 00:03:07,609 others as it is for us, we would realize it's not optional. 53 00:03:08,329 --> 00:03:10,009 Now you can't fake joy. 54 00:03:10,729 --> 00:03:12,169 You can't really fake joy. 55 00:03:12,169 --> 00:03:17,409 Because joy is being content in any circumstance doesn't mean 56 00:03:17,409 --> 00:03:19,809 being bubbly over bubbling over with laughter. 57 00:03:19,809 --> 00:03:26,609 It means having a deep, deep rooted inner contentment in whatever 58 00:03:26,609 --> 00:03:28,529 circumstance you happen to find yourself in. 59 00:03:28,529 --> 00:03:29,249 That's joy. 60 00:03:32,049 --> 00:03:36,209 So the truth is that joy is just as much for others as it is 61 00:03:36,209 --> 00:03:36,769 for me. 62 00:03:36,929 --> 00:03:38,129 And I want to show you that. 63 00:03:38,129 --> 00:03:40,529 Why do you think that Peter said in first Peter, chapter three, 64 00:03:41,089 --> 00:03:43,889 in verse 15, it's a very familiar verse to you. 65 00:03:44,049 --> 00:03:44,929 And he said this. 66 00:03:44,929 --> 00:03:48,329 Peter said, but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. 67 00:03:48,329 --> 00:03:50,129 Now, sanctify means to set apart. 68 00:03:50,449 --> 00:03:52,929 Set apart as holy, set apart and honor. 69 00:03:53,169 --> 00:03:58,489 So sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and be ready always to 70 00:03:58,489 --> 00:04:03,249 give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope 71 00:04:03,249 --> 00:04:04,289 that is in you. 72 00:04:04,369 --> 00:04:05,809 With meekness and fear. 73 00:04:06,859 --> 00:04:09,819 Now, we always have a tendency to think, okay, well, if somebody 74 00:04:09,819 --> 00:04:12,979 asked me, you know, about salvation, I need to be ready to 75 00:04:12,979 --> 00:04:14,139 tell them about salvation. 76 00:04:14,459 --> 00:04:15,259 And that's true. 77 00:04:15,259 --> 00:04:15,699 We should. 78 00:04:15,699 --> 00:04:17,019 But it's more than that. 79 00:04:17,259 --> 00:04:18,459 It's deeper than that. 80 00:04:19,419 --> 00:04:24,459 Your joy, which is the result of sanctifying God in your heart, 81 00:04:24,939 --> 00:04:28,699 it's bigger than our own personal satisfaction and happiness. 82 00:04:29,499 --> 00:04:31,419 Your joy matters. 83 00:04:32,549 --> 00:04:34,269 Sometimes people lack joy. 84 00:04:34,269 --> 00:04:35,549 Christians lack joy. 85 00:04:35,549 --> 00:04:38,869 Sometimes we go around dragging, like Linus's blanket. 86 00:04:39,029 --> 00:04:41,149 And we got Pigpen's blanket. 87 00:04:41,149 --> 00:04:41,429 I don't know. 88 00:04:41,429 --> 00:04:42,029 I can't remember now. 89 00:04:42,029 --> 00:04:45,509 I guess it's Linus's blanket and Pigpen's cloud, right? 90 00:04:45,589 --> 00:04:46,709 His dust cloud. 91 00:04:47,029 --> 00:04:50,909 We walk around like those peanut characters, and there's no 92 00:04:50,909 --> 00:04:53,989 reason for people to ask us about the joy and the hope that's 93 00:04:53,989 --> 00:04:54,549 within us. 94 00:04:55,189 --> 00:05:01,849 And so we have to exuberate joy by setting God apart in our heart 95 00:05:02,089 --> 00:05:04,409 so that others will have something to ask us. 96 00:05:04,489 --> 00:05:05,689 So your joy matters. 97 00:05:05,689 --> 00:05:06,209 What does it matter? 98 00:05:06,209 --> 00:05:06,809 It just matters. 99 00:05:06,809 --> 00:05:07,049 3. 100 00:05:07,049 --> 00:05:08,089 I'm going to say three things. 101 00:05:08,569 --> 00:05:11,369 It matters first of all to a watching world. 102 00:05:11,769 --> 00:05:12,729 Your joy. 103 00:05:13,049 --> 00:05:17,049 Your joy as a Christian, it matters to a watching world. 104 00:05:18,889 --> 00:05:22,649 If we're constantly walking around complaining and whining and 105 00:05:23,449 --> 00:05:28,219 griping and groaning, that's not going to affect anybody in a 106 00:05:28,219 --> 00:05:29,819 positive way for Jesus Christ. 107 00:05:29,899 --> 00:05:31,419 Can I get an amen right there? 108 00:05:32,059 --> 00:05:34,139 I mean, nobody wants to be that. 109 00:05:35,099 --> 00:05:40,699 And so it's important that our joy is true joy. 110 00:05:40,778 --> 00:05:42,539 It's important that we realize. 111 00:05:42,939 --> 00:05:48,019 I said we were at our meeting on Friday night, our bridge to Recovery 112 00:05:48,019 --> 00:05:51,719 meeting, and I preached a message entitled, there's no faith, 113 00:05:52,029 --> 00:05:55,309 no resurrection power without first, a crucifixion. 114 00:05:55,549 --> 00:05:58,189 You can't have a resurrection unless there's a crucifixion. 115 00:05:58,349 --> 00:06:01,269 And so many times we as Christians, we have to go back to 116 00:06:01,269 --> 00:06:04,309 that cross and we have to remember what Jesus Christ did for 117 00:06:04,309 --> 00:06:04,589 us. 118 00:06:04,829 --> 00:06:08,269 And maybe there's a time of weeping involved because we ought 119 00:06:08,269 --> 00:06:10,269 to weep when we consider what he did for Us. 120 00:06:10,669 --> 00:06:13,709 But then there also, after the weeping is gone, there ought to be 121 00:06:13,709 --> 00:06:14,469 a time of joy. 122 00:06:14,469 --> 00:06:16,109 There ought to be a time of rejoicing. 123 00:06:16,189 --> 00:06:19,269 There ought to be a time of realizing, man, I'd be in hell right 124 00:06:19,269 --> 00:06:20,749 now if it wasn't for Jesus Christ. 125 00:06:21,329 --> 00:06:22,329 There's no telling where I'd be. 126 00:06:22,329 --> 00:06:23,969 Some of us could be in the penitentiary. 127 00:06:23,969 --> 00:06:26,689 Some of you could be homeless on the side of the road somewhere. 128 00:06:26,849 --> 00:06:29,009 Some of you could be dead and in hell. 129 00:06:29,489 --> 00:06:30,609 And so we ought to have. 130 00:06:30,609 --> 00:06:32,529 We ought to rejoice when we go to the cross. 131 00:06:33,089 --> 00:06:33,729 Amen. 132 00:06:34,289 --> 00:06:36,929 So our joy matters to a watching world. 133 00:06:37,169 --> 00:06:38,809 A joyful heart shines. 134 00:06:38,809 --> 00:06:41,289 The truth of what we believe to the world. 135 00:06:41,289 --> 00:06:42,009 It matters. 136 00:06:42,009 --> 00:06:43,569 Our joy really does matter. 137 00:06:44,209 --> 00:06:47,529 Christians aren't immune to hardship and trials, and we're not 138 00:06:47,529 --> 00:06:48,369 immune to suffering. 139 00:06:48,529 --> 00:06:51,009 We experience them differently than others do. 140 00:06:51,009 --> 00:06:51,569 That's all. 141 00:06:52,449 --> 00:06:54,129 We have hope in the darkness. 142 00:06:55,009 --> 00:06:58,529 Somebody came to me today and said, I like. 143 00:06:58,769 --> 00:06:59,969 And they said, I'll tell you what I. 144 00:06:59,969 --> 00:07:00,689 It was one of our men. 145 00:07:00,689 --> 00:07:04,009 They said, I'll tell you what I like most about our Bridge to Recovery 146 00:07:04,009 --> 00:07:04,529 meetings. 147 00:07:04,849 --> 00:07:05,289 It's. 148 00:07:05,289 --> 00:07:05,809 We have. 149 00:07:05,809 --> 00:07:07,169 We have a main assembly. 150 00:07:07,169 --> 00:07:09,169 And then after the main assembly, after. 151 00:07:09,169 --> 00:07:13,089 Then we go, we break off into our sessions, our group sessions. 152 00:07:13,989 --> 00:07:15,069 That's what that brother said. 153 00:07:15,069 --> 00:07:16,709 He said, I love our group sessions. 154 00:07:16,949 --> 00:07:19,669 And he said, the reason I love our group sessions is because it 155 00:07:19,669 --> 00:07:23,349 makes me realize that I'm not the only one dealing with this. 156 00:07:24,389 --> 00:07:27,749 I'm not the only one dealing with this. 157 00:07:29,189 --> 00:07:32,949 I have been pleasantly surprised and praise God for the 158 00:07:32,949 --> 00:07:33,749 transparency. 159 00:07:34,789 --> 00:07:36,989 I can't say anything about the women because I'm not in their group, 160 00:07:36,989 --> 00:07:42,499 but the transparency that the men in our group have displayed, 161 00:07:42,819 --> 00:07:45,299 and it's because they know that we can help each other. 162 00:07:45,539 --> 00:07:46,899 We're there for each other. 163 00:07:46,979 --> 00:07:49,379 Oh, brother, I'll tell you, I don't know how I got on that, but, 164 00:07:49,539 --> 00:07:51,779 oh, it's because we're not immune to hardship. 165 00:07:51,939 --> 00:07:53,819 Christians suffer, Christians struggle. 166 00:07:53,819 --> 00:07:55,059 Christians have temptation. 167 00:07:55,139 --> 00:07:57,059 Christians even give in to temptations. 168 00:07:58,659 --> 00:08:02,699 But in the midst of all of that, we can go through all those 169 00:08:02,699 --> 00:08:05,139 things differently than those who are not saved. 170 00:08:05,739 --> 00:08:07,979 We can have joy in the midst of darkness. 171 00:08:07,979 --> 00:08:09,419 We can have hope in darkness. 172 00:08:09,659 --> 00:08:14,259 A Christian's hope shines to a watching world in such a way that 173 00:08:14,259 --> 00:08:17,259 we need to be prepared to defend our hope. 174 00:08:18,059 --> 00:08:21,258 We should expect and we should be ready for instances where people 175 00:08:21,258 --> 00:08:27,259 approach us and they can ask us, why are you so hopeful? 176 00:08:27,259 --> 00:08:29,219 How can you be happy under such circumstances? 177 00:08:29,219 --> 00:08:30,779 And I think about our society today. 178 00:08:30,779 --> 00:08:31,739 I think about our economy. 179 00:08:33,669 --> 00:08:34,469 I'm a Christian. 180 00:08:35,189 --> 00:08:39,549 I have been saved 40 plus years and I still gripe about the 181 00:08:39,549 --> 00:08:39,829 economy. 182 00:08:40,949 --> 00:08:45,269 I hate the fact that I'm paying $3 a gallon for gas. 183 00:08:45,749 --> 00:08:47,589 I'm glad I don't, you know. 184 00:08:47,749 --> 00:08:51,029 Anyway, I don't buy meat. 185 00:08:51,109 --> 00:08:53,749 My wife usually buys meat if I go into the grocery store just to 186 00:08:53,749 --> 00:08:55,749 buy milk or whatever, you know, nothing big. 187 00:08:55,749 --> 00:08:56,229 I don't. 188 00:08:56,229 --> 00:08:57,589 But my wife buys the meat. 189 00:08:57,589 --> 00:08:59,669 We went the other day, I was with her and she said, let me show 190 00:08:59,669 --> 00:09:00,069 you something. 191 00:09:00,389 --> 00:09:01,589 She took me to the steaks. 192 00:09:01,989 --> 00:09:03,589 We looked at a rib eye steak. 193 00:09:03,589 --> 00:09:05,749 Oh, oh, here's why I'll tell you backstory. 194 00:09:05,749 --> 00:09:08,069 I was complaining because I stopped at a place to get a Philly 195 00:09:08,069 --> 00:09:08,589 cheesesteak. 196 00:09:08,589 --> 00:09:10,629 I love Philly cheesesteaks, a good one. 197 00:09:10,949 --> 00:09:15,909 And I stopped at a place to get one and they wanted $15 for a 198 00:09:15,909 --> 00:09:17,549 foot long Philly cheesesteak. 199 00:09:17,549 --> 00:09:19,869 I'm like, uh, I walked in and walked out. 200 00:09:19,869 --> 00:09:20,429 Listen to this. 201 00:09:20,429 --> 00:09:21,509 They're so desperate. 202 00:09:21,509 --> 00:09:23,229 The lady followed me out to my car. 203 00:09:23,229 --> 00:09:24,149 I'm not kidding you. 204 00:09:24,629 --> 00:09:25,509 She followed me. 205 00:09:25,509 --> 00:09:28,029 The lady inside the restaurant got out from behind the counter, 206 00:09:28,029 --> 00:09:29,189 followed me out to my car. 207 00:09:29,189 --> 00:09:31,029 She said, did you decide you're not hungry? 208 00:09:32,939 --> 00:09:34,459 Telling you, she said that. 209 00:09:35,259 --> 00:09:37,659 Anybody ever followed you out to your car at a restaurant before? 210 00:09:37,659 --> 00:09:38,339 That's the truth. 211 00:09:38,339 --> 00:09:39,699 She followed me out to my car. 212 00:09:39,699 --> 00:09:41,419 She said, did you decide you're not hungry? 213 00:09:41,419 --> 00:09:42,019 I said, no. 214 00:09:42,019 --> 00:09:44,859 I decided I didn't want to pay $15 for a sandwich. 215 00:09:45,419 --> 00:09:47,019 She said, yeah, but this is ribeye. 216 00:09:47,019 --> 00:09:47,979 It's the real stuff. 217 00:09:47,979 --> 00:09:49,099 It's the good stuff. 218 00:09:49,499 --> 00:09:50,739 And I said, well, I do. 219 00:09:50,739 --> 00:09:52,019 Well, I didn't have any clue. 220 00:09:52,019 --> 00:09:52,699 I didn't know. 221 00:09:52,779 --> 00:09:56,059 I didn't know that a Philly cheesesteak was made out of ribs. 222 00:09:56,059 --> 00:09:57,139 So anyway, that's the backstory. 223 00:09:57,139 --> 00:09:58,459 So my wife takes me to the grocery. 224 00:09:58,459 --> 00:09:59,899 We're in the grocery store, my wife takes me. 225 00:09:59,899 --> 00:10:03,119 And after me coming home and complaining about this, griping like 226 00:10:03,119 --> 00:10:07,759 a good Christian should, ent I'm complaining about this. 227 00:10:07,759 --> 00:10:10,079 And so we're at the grocery store and she says, come here, let 228 00:10:10,079 --> 00:10:10,639 me show you something. 229 00:10:10,879 --> 00:10:13,359 We go to the steaks, ribeyes. 230 00:10:17,039 --> 00:10:18,719 I want to become a vegetarian. 231 00:10:19,519 --> 00:10:23,599 $25 for one ribeye and up. 232 00:10:24,719 --> 00:10:28,079 And I'm like, man, let's just go to the roadhouse and get it cooked 233 00:10:28,079 --> 00:10:30,799 and put on a plate for me with veggies next to it. 234 00:10:31,269 --> 00:10:32,029 $25. 235 00:10:32,029 --> 00:10:32,629 Amen. 236 00:10:33,029 --> 00:10:34,149 29 maybe. 237 00:10:34,389 --> 00:10:39,549 I think that's what mine cost today, but folk. 238 00:10:39,549 --> 00:10:42,149 And I even had shrimp with it. 239 00:10:42,949 --> 00:10:45,189 Going to a restaurant, get an Uncooked steak for. 240 00:10:45,269 --> 00:10:46,469 See, we're complaining about. 241 00:10:47,189 --> 00:10:48,309 I fuss over that. 242 00:10:51,989 --> 00:10:52,509 It is. 243 00:10:52,509 --> 00:10:53,829 It's hard to believe, isn't it? 244 00:10:54,389 --> 00:10:57,189 But how many people are we going to affect in a positive way 245 00:10:57,189 --> 00:11:02,849 by constantly fussing over the prices, over the economy, over the 246 00:11:02,849 --> 00:11:04,729 fact that it is what it is? 247 00:11:05,369 --> 00:11:06,969 Can my fussing change it? 248 00:11:07,449 --> 00:11:09,129 Can my worrying change it? 249 00:11:09,209 --> 00:11:13,369 Can my lack of joy affect anybody in a positive way? 250 00:11:13,929 --> 00:11:14,329 No. 251 00:11:14,649 --> 00:11:17,609 Joy is being content, no matter the circumstance. 252 00:11:19,449 --> 00:11:20,649 I'm with you, brethren. 253 00:11:20,649 --> 00:11:22,689 I don't like having to shell out that money either. 254 00:11:22,689 --> 00:11:26,889 But it is what it is, and we just need to learn to be content. 255 00:11:26,889 --> 00:11:29,129 Like Paul said, hey, we are where we are. 256 00:11:29,289 --> 00:11:30,609 Well, I'm going to have to scale it down. 257 00:11:30,609 --> 00:11:30,969 Okay? 258 00:11:30,969 --> 00:11:31,849 I can't have a ribeye. 259 00:11:31,849 --> 00:11:32,969 I might have to have something else. 260 00:11:33,289 --> 00:11:34,369 But I like bologna. 261 00:11:34,369 --> 00:11:35,769 Good thing I like bologna, I guess. 262 00:11:41,449 --> 00:11:44,689 Our theology, our understanding of God's redemptive 263 00:11:44,689 --> 00:11:49,209 plan, and I hope that you have a somewhat of an understanding of 264 00:11:49,209 --> 00:11:52,649 God's redemption plan, his redemptive plan in your life, how 265 00:11:52,649 --> 00:11:55,289 you got to where you are today in terms of salvation. 266 00:11:55,949 --> 00:11:59,789 Our understanding of that allows us to hold joy and sorrow 267 00:11:59,869 --> 00:12:03,469 side by side and not be in opposition to one another. 268 00:12:04,589 --> 00:12:05,629 Does that make sense? 269 00:12:06,189 --> 00:12:10,669 If we understand the theological aspect of salvation, 270 00:12:10,909 --> 00:12:13,949 then we can hold those two and they can be balanced. 271 00:12:14,189 --> 00:12:16,589 And that's what people look at and say. 272 00:12:17,229 --> 00:12:20,189 How is it that you never complain about the gas prices? 273 00:12:20,189 --> 00:12:22,349 How is it I never hear you cuss at the shop? 274 00:12:22,349 --> 00:12:23,469 How come it is I never. 275 00:12:23,929 --> 00:12:24,809 How is it that when. 276 00:12:26,249 --> 00:12:27,689 That's what makes a difference. 277 00:12:30,329 --> 00:12:35,969 When Joni Eareckson Tada was a teenager, she was paralyzed from 278 00:12:35,969 --> 00:12:38,089 the shoulders down in a diving accident. 279 00:12:38,409 --> 00:12:39,928 She described those who. 280 00:12:40,089 --> 00:12:42,569 And she became quite the speaker across the country. 281 00:12:42,809 --> 00:12:46,849 She described those who suffer in profound ways, yet still have 282 00:12:46,849 --> 00:12:49,849 hope and joy as spectacles of glory. 283 00:12:49,849 --> 00:12:52,759 In her words, she called him spectacles of glory. 284 00:12:52,759 --> 00:12:57,079 They're like the burning bush who Moses saw that Moses saw and 285 00:12:57,079 --> 00:12:58,239 was confused by. 286 00:12:58,639 --> 00:13:01,919 How could a bush be on fire and yet not be consumed? 287 00:13:03,439 --> 00:13:07,919 The bush was a spectacle of glory, something that made you turn 288 00:13:07,919 --> 00:13:09,199 and look and wonder. 289 00:13:09,919 --> 00:13:13,519 And Joni explained that Christians who suffer faithfully, 290 00:13:13,839 --> 00:13:15,199 they shine as light. 291 00:13:15,519 --> 00:13:19,559 They shine the light of Christ in a way that is perplexing for the 292 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:19,839 world. 293 00:13:20,059 --> 00:13:21,009 And watch. 294 00:13:21,649 --> 00:13:22,489 And they don't. 295 00:13:22,489 --> 00:13:23,049 They don't. 296 00:13:23,049 --> 00:13:26,209 They simply just don't understand how a person can be joyful, 297 00:13:26,369 --> 00:13:29,889 patient and kind in the midst of such hardships. 298 00:13:30,769 --> 00:13:35,049 Profound suffering opens us up to be a spectacle of glory for all 299 00:13:35,049 --> 00:13:35,849 the world to see. 300 00:13:35,849 --> 00:13:37,649 The beauty of Christ in us. 301 00:13:38,449 --> 00:13:41,289 It demonstrates that we have something greater than this world. 302 00:13:41,289 --> 00:13:42,369 We have Jesus. 303 00:13:43,329 --> 00:13:44,689 Your joy matters. 304 00:13:45,009 --> 00:13:47,249 Your joy matters to a watching world. 305 00:13:48,069 --> 00:13:52,869 Important that we recognize joy is not optional, but something 306 00:13:52,869 --> 00:13:54,709 that we ought to put on every single day. 307 00:13:55,509 --> 00:13:57,349 Your joy matters to a watching world. 308 00:13:57,349 --> 00:14:00,709 Secondly, I want you to notice it matters to the church. 309 00:14:01,269 --> 00:14:03,869 Your joy matters to the church. 310 00:14:03,869 --> 00:14:06,229 I want you to look at 1st Thessalonians, chapter 3. 311 00:14:07,109 --> 00:14:11,589 When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he shared with them 312 00:14:11,589 --> 00:14:13,509 his concern for their well being. 313 00:14:14,579 --> 00:14:18,299 He knew that they had been suffering greatly and he was deeply 314 00:14:18,299 --> 00:14:19,859 concerned about their faith. 315 00:14:20,579 --> 00:14:23,139 Because you know how it can be when suffering comes in. 316 00:14:23,219 --> 00:14:27,339 You know, sometimes people's faith is shaken and sometimes it 317 00:14:27,339 --> 00:14:28,259 can be shattered. 318 00:14:29,059 --> 00:14:31,299 So he sent Timothy to check on them. 319 00:14:32,419 --> 00:14:36,899 And Timothy returned with the positive report that the Thessalonians 320 00:14:36,899 --> 00:14:40,579 were standing firm in their love and in their hope and in their 321 00:14:40,579 --> 00:14:40,979 faith. 322 00:14:41,819 --> 00:14:44,619 In the midst of his own discouragement. 323 00:14:44,619 --> 00:14:48,699 I'm sorry, in the midst of his own suffering, Paul was encouraged. 324 00:14:49,499 --> 00:14:51,059 In the midst of his own suffering. 325 00:14:51,059 --> 00:14:52,579 And I don't need to go over all of that. 326 00:14:52,579 --> 00:14:55,179 You all know, most of you, I'm assuming, I suppose, but I don't 327 00:14:55,179 --> 00:14:56,379 have time to go over all of that. 328 00:14:56,379 --> 00:14:59,419 Paul suffered in life. 329 00:14:59,419 --> 00:15:02,979 He suffered a lot in life and even from prison. 330 00:15:02,979 --> 00:15:05,259 He said, I'm just glad Christ is preached. 331 00:15:05,979 --> 00:15:07,659 In the midst of his own suffering. 332 00:15:07,989 --> 00:15:08,709 He was encouraged. 333 00:15:08,709 --> 00:15:11,949 He said in 1st Thessalonians chapter 3, and read with me in verse 334 00:15:11,949 --> 00:15:12,549 7 through 9. 335 00:15:12,549 --> 00:15:16,469 He said, Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all 336 00:15:16,469 --> 00:15:18,149 our affliction and distress. 337 00:15:18,629 --> 00:15:19,029 How? 338 00:15:19,269 --> 00:15:24,269 By your faith, he said, I overlooked my own affliction and 339 00:15:24,269 --> 00:15:25,829 my own distress. 340 00:15:25,909 --> 00:15:28,949 Your faith allowed me to put my stuff to the side. 341 00:15:29,189 --> 00:15:31,349 I was encouraged by that. 342 00:15:31,509 --> 00:15:35,689 He says, for now we live if we stand fast in the Lord, for what 343 00:15:35,689 --> 00:15:42,409 thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith 344 00:15:42,409 --> 00:15:43,049 we joy. 345 00:15:43,049 --> 00:15:46,009 In other words, he says, for all the joy that we feel for your 346 00:15:46,009 --> 00:15:47,449 sakes before God. 347 00:15:47,689 --> 00:15:49,049 Here's a man who suffered. 348 00:15:49,209 --> 00:15:54,049 And yet the Thessalonians, the church in Thessalonica, their contentment 349 00:15:54,049 --> 00:15:57,129 in the midst of their suffering and their hardship, it 350 00:15:57,129 --> 00:15:59,769 encouraged Paul in the midst of his own suffering. 351 00:16:00,819 --> 00:16:04,539 As we stand firm in hope, rejoicing in the Lord, the church 352 00:16:04,539 --> 00:16:05,379 is encouraged. 353 00:16:06,899 --> 00:16:10,539 Our joy in the Lord stirs up fresh courage in others, blessing 354 00:16:10,539 --> 00:16:12,099 our brothers and sisters in the faith. 355 00:16:12,739 --> 00:16:15,779 We've started several churches in our ministry, in my ministry, 356 00:16:16,339 --> 00:16:19,939 and you've had a part in one of them. 357 00:16:21,059 --> 00:16:23,139 And I know you rejoiced with me. 358 00:16:23,299 --> 00:16:26,139 You rejoiced with me when I was down in Corpus Christi. 359 00:16:26,139 --> 00:16:27,059 We were there 10 years. 360 00:16:27,959 --> 00:16:29,119 We saw a lot of people saved. 361 00:16:29,119 --> 00:16:29,879 We saw just. 362 00:16:29,879 --> 00:16:33,079 It was a really great ministry that God gave us and allowed us to 363 00:16:33,079 --> 00:16:33,639 be a part of. 364 00:16:33,639 --> 00:16:36,279 And we saw, you know, we were able to help a lot of people. 365 00:16:36,759 --> 00:16:38,199 And you rejoiced with us. 366 00:16:38,199 --> 00:16:39,079 We would send back. 367 00:16:39,159 --> 00:16:41,959 We would send back reports, and you rejoiced with us. 368 00:16:42,039 --> 00:16:43,478 Brother Kelly brought down people. 369 00:16:43,478 --> 00:16:45,359 And you guys, some of you came down and you worked. 370 00:16:45,359 --> 00:16:48,559 You physically labored on the building for us, and you put in some 371 00:16:48,559 --> 00:16:49,159 time and effort. 372 00:16:49,159 --> 00:16:51,399 You were encouraged by our faith. 373 00:16:53,009 --> 00:16:55,369 And then Covid got the better of us. 374 00:16:55,369 --> 00:16:56,529 We weren't a large church. 375 00:16:56,769 --> 00:16:59,889 You know, most of y' all never got the real story, why, after 10 376 00:16:59,889 --> 00:17:01,249 years, we had to close the doors. 377 00:17:01,249 --> 00:17:03,529 Well, the big thing, the big picture is, Covid, I'm not going 378 00:17:03,529 --> 00:17:04,369 to blame everybody. 379 00:17:04,369 --> 00:17:05,729 You know, I had my own part in that. 380 00:17:05,729 --> 00:17:09,689 But the big picture was Covid, you know, it was an unprecedented 381 00:17:09,689 --> 00:17:09,889 time. 382 00:17:09,889 --> 00:17:12,209 Nobody really knew exactly what the right thing to do was. 383 00:17:12,209 --> 00:17:14,689 And you did one thing, you offend some people, you did another 384 00:17:14,689 --> 00:17:16,089 thing, you offended the rest of them. 385 00:17:16,089 --> 00:17:18,129 So you just had to figure out what to do. 386 00:17:18,619 --> 00:17:20,059 And it wasn't always pleasant. 387 00:17:20,859 --> 00:17:23,339 And so small churches across the country ended up closing their 388 00:17:23,339 --> 00:17:23,539 doors. 389 00:17:23,539 --> 00:17:24,459 We were one of them. 390 00:17:25,339 --> 00:17:27,659 And I know that when that happened, that broke your heart. 391 00:17:28,699 --> 00:17:29,579 I know it did. 392 00:17:29,579 --> 00:17:30,619 It broke my heart. 393 00:17:30,859 --> 00:17:32,139 And I know that you who. 394 00:17:32,139 --> 00:17:35,259 You poured yourself into this ministry, and then you saw it. 395 00:17:36,459 --> 00:17:37,699 I won't say go under. 396 00:17:37,699 --> 00:17:38,499 Look at it like this. 397 00:17:38,499 --> 00:17:42,219 Pastor encouraged me by these words, he said, because I was discouraged 398 00:17:42,219 --> 00:17:43,419 when we had to close those doors. 399 00:17:43,419 --> 00:17:44,539 But pastor said this to me. 400 00:17:44,539 --> 00:17:45,979 He said, brother, a church is a body. 401 00:17:47,439 --> 00:17:50,159 It's born, it lives, it dies. 402 00:17:51,359 --> 00:17:52,319 Not everybody. 403 00:17:52,479 --> 00:17:55,759 Not every body lives 100 years. 404 00:17:56,479 --> 00:17:58,639 Not everybody lives 50 years. 405 00:17:59,119 --> 00:18:01,359 Some live a short period of time. 406 00:18:01,599 --> 00:18:03,839 And such is the case with Corpus Christi. 407 00:18:03,839 --> 00:18:07,199 I wish it was still going, but it's not the case. 408 00:18:07,519 --> 00:18:09,359 And you've welcomed me back, right? 409 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:11,479 You brought me back and you said, come home, Brother Stone. 410 00:18:11,479 --> 00:18:16,849 You put me back on staff, and I just know that my joy is important 411 00:18:16,929 --> 00:18:20,569 to this church, and your joy is important to this church. 412 00:18:20,569 --> 00:18:24,129 Not just this church, but others who invest in this church. 413 00:18:24,449 --> 00:18:26,889 And now we're investing in other churches. 414 00:18:26,889 --> 00:18:30,009 And it's important that we see their joy because their joy affects 415 00:18:30,009 --> 00:18:30,289 us. 416 00:18:31,969 --> 00:18:33,329 So it matters to the church. 417 00:18:33,329 --> 00:18:33,889 Okay? 418 00:18:34,449 --> 00:18:37,489 Our joy in the Lord stirs up fresh courage in others. 419 00:18:37,809 --> 00:18:40,289 It blesses our brothers and our sisters in the faith. 420 00:18:40,289 --> 00:18:41,869 So God, your joy matters. 421 00:18:41,869 --> 00:18:43,869 It matters to the watching world. 422 00:18:43,949 --> 00:18:45,549 It matters to the church. 423 00:18:45,869 --> 00:18:49,149 And then, most importantly, you're going to love this one. 424 00:18:49,149 --> 00:18:50,349 It matters to Jesus. 425 00:18:50,829 --> 00:18:52,909 Your joy matters to Jesus. 426 00:18:53,069 --> 00:18:55,389 I want you to think about this with me just for a minute. 427 00:18:55,549 --> 00:19:00,589 On the night before Jesus died, he shared a final meal and 428 00:19:00,589 --> 00:19:02,429 a conversation with his disciples. 429 00:19:03,229 --> 00:19:05,909 And though they didn't understand that Jesus was about to 430 00:19:05,909 --> 00:19:06,829 die, he knew. 431 00:19:06,829 --> 00:19:08,349 Jesus knew his time was short. 432 00:19:08,799 --> 00:19:12,799 He knew the apostle John recorded much of their conversation. 433 00:19:13,039 --> 00:19:16,799 Jesus comforted his disciples, and he encouraged them to not be 434 00:19:16,799 --> 00:19:17,439 troubled. 435 00:19:17,919 --> 00:19:21,039 He assured them that although he was going away, he would come 436 00:19:21,039 --> 00:19:21,759 back for them. 437 00:19:22,639 --> 00:19:25,679 He told them that if they loved him, they would obey him. 438 00:19:26,079 --> 00:19:28,919 He explained that the Spirit would come and dwell within them 439 00:19:28,919 --> 00:19:29,919 and be with them always. 440 00:19:30,079 --> 00:19:34,279 And then Jesus explained to them why he was telling them these 441 00:19:34,279 --> 00:19:34,599 things. 442 00:19:34,599 --> 00:19:36,319 He said in John 15:11. 443 00:19:37,429 --> 00:19:40,509 This is what Jesus explained to them, why he was telling them 444 00:19:40,509 --> 00:19:40,869 all this. 445 00:19:40,869 --> 00:19:43,509 He said, these things have I spoken unto you. 446 00:19:43,509 --> 00:19:44,389 This is right on the. 447 00:19:44,389 --> 00:19:45,429 This is right on the. 448 00:19:45,429 --> 00:19:45,749 On the. 449 00:19:45,749 --> 00:19:46,869 On the cusp of his. 450 00:19:46,869 --> 00:19:51,109 Of his crucifixion, he said, these things I have spoken unto you. 451 00:19:51,349 --> 00:19:59,509 Why, that my joy might remain in you, that your joy might be full. 452 00:20:02,559 --> 00:20:03,239 Folks, listen. 453 00:20:03,239 --> 00:20:05,199 Jesus was on his way to the cross. 454 00:20:05,839 --> 00:20:10,839 I mean, in just a matter of hours, he was going to be taken and 455 00:20:10,839 --> 00:20:13,679 he was going to be shamed in a way you and I could never imagine. 456 00:20:14,879 --> 00:20:21,199 He was preparing to endure unimaginable pain at this moment. 457 00:20:22,159 --> 00:20:23,439 What was on his mind? 458 00:20:24,719 --> 00:20:31,169 What goal prompted his last words to those he loved at the height 459 00:20:31,169 --> 00:20:32,729 of his own agony? 460 00:20:32,729 --> 00:20:33,889 Remember, he was in the garden. 461 00:20:33,889 --> 00:20:42,489 He was agonizing in such a way that his sweat dropped, as it were. 462 00:20:42,489 --> 00:20:45,169 The Bible says, as it were, great drops of blood. 463 00:20:45,489 --> 00:20:51,169 He sweated at the height of his own agony. 464 00:20:51,889 --> 00:20:55,649 His love desired our joy. 465 00:20:59,339 --> 00:21:01,819 He was getting ready to go to the cross, and he told those guys, 466 00:21:01,819 --> 00:21:05,379 these things I've spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in 467 00:21:05,379 --> 00:21:07,099 you, and that your joy might be full. 468 00:21:08,139 --> 00:21:11,339 Our joy matters to Jesus Christ. 469 00:21:13,019 --> 00:21:14,619 It's unbelievable, isn't it? 470 00:21:15,259 --> 00:21:18,699 For the joy that was set before him, Jesus endured the cross. 471 00:21:19,419 --> 00:21:22,339 And I know that we think about when we hear that for the joy that 472 00:21:22,339 --> 00:21:23,179 was set before him. 473 00:21:23,829 --> 00:21:24,669 Well, what joy was that? 474 00:21:24,669 --> 00:21:28,189 We're thinking about the joy that he has, the joy that he's anticipating 475 00:21:28,189 --> 00:21:30,829 going home to be with the Father and sit on the right hand 476 00:21:30,829 --> 00:21:31,349 of the Father. 477 00:21:31,429 --> 00:21:33,189 Well, I imagine that was in his mind, too. 478 00:21:33,189 --> 00:21:37,749 But also the joy that was set before him was him passing on his 479 00:21:37,749 --> 00:21:38,069 joy. 480 00:21:38,069 --> 00:21:41,829 To us so that we can have joy in the midst of that kind of agony, 481 00:21:41,829 --> 00:21:43,269 that kind of a circumstance. 482 00:21:44,629 --> 00:21:46,069 Jesus is about to die. 483 00:21:46,069 --> 00:21:47,229 He's about to be crucified. 484 00:21:47,229 --> 00:21:49,589 He's about to undergo the most agonizing death. 485 00:21:49,979 --> 00:21:50,939 You know, I said it. 486 00:21:51,179 --> 00:21:53,939 I guess I said it in Sunday school this morning, maybe, I think, 487 00:21:53,939 --> 00:21:55,699 I can't remember now, but I said it just recently. 488 00:21:55,699 --> 00:21:59,299 Whether it was Friday or whether it was this morning, I think 489 00:21:59,299 --> 00:21:59,899 it was Friday. 490 00:22:01,099 --> 00:22:06,699 Of all the ways that there are to die, of all the means of execution, 491 00:22:07,899 --> 00:22:11,099 probably crucifixion had to be the most undesirable of them all, 492 00:22:11,419 --> 00:22:14,539 the most excruciating, the most painful, the most shameful, 493 00:22:15,589 --> 00:22:17,909 the most agonizing way to die. 494 00:22:19,429 --> 00:22:22,949 And of all the times that God could have allowed his son to die, 495 00:22:22,949 --> 00:22:25,829 and the ways that he could have allowed him to die, he allowed 496 00:22:25,829 --> 00:22:27,029 him to go at that time. 497 00:22:29,509 --> 00:22:32,469 And I'm sure that probably some of you in here, maybe many, 498 00:22:34,549 --> 00:22:40,989 you've studied the method of crucifixion and how it affects the 499 00:22:40,989 --> 00:22:41,229 body. 500 00:22:41,229 --> 00:22:42,899 And it's a horrible way. 501 00:22:42,899 --> 00:22:46,179 I'm not going to go into the details, but it is a horrible, horrible 502 00:22:46,179 --> 00:22:46,859 way to die. 503 00:22:47,179 --> 00:22:52,779 And during that, just before that, he said, I want my joy to be 504 00:22:52,779 --> 00:22:53,059 in you. 505 00:22:53,059 --> 00:22:56,139 The joy that I'm feeling right now, I want it to be your joy. 506 00:22:57,659 --> 00:23:00,579 I don't know that I'd have much joy in the midst of that kind 507 00:23:00,579 --> 00:23:04,819 of a circumstance if I knew I was getting ready to be beaten, torn 508 00:23:04,819 --> 00:23:08,299 apart by a whip, have a crown of thorns placed on my head and beat 509 00:23:08,299 --> 00:23:13,389 into my scalp with a reed, spit in the face, betrayed by my 510 00:23:13,389 --> 00:23:13,989 own friends. 511 00:23:15,189 --> 00:23:18,709 I don't know that I'd have much joy, but he did. 512 00:23:19,749 --> 00:23:24,629 He said, I want my joy to be in you and that your joy be full. 513 00:23:25,829 --> 00:23:26,869 That's what he wanted. 514 00:23:28,229 --> 00:23:30,429 Jesus was concerned about our joy. 515 00:23:30,429 --> 00:23:32,949 He wasn't hoping for us to have a little bit of happiness. 516 00:23:34,469 --> 00:23:37,869 He wants us to have fullness of joy, overflowing, abundant. 517 00:23:37,869 --> 00:23:39,509 Our joy matters. 518 00:23:40,269 --> 00:23:40,989 Jesus Christ. 519 00:23:41,629 --> 00:23:46,669 We shouldn't just go through this life, you know, just happy Christians, 520 00:23:46,909 --> 00:23:49,309 because happiness depends on happenings. 521 00:23:50,109 --> 00:23:55,029 We need to have joy, deep seated, deeply rooted joy that's 522 00:23:55,029 --> 00:23:59,429 there, put there by the Holy Spirit of God, so that when bad times 523 00:23:59,429 --> 00:24:02,709 do come, we can still rise up in such a way that people say, how 524 00:24:02,709 --> 00:24:05,349 in the world can you be so happy? 525 00:24:05,349 --> 00:24:05,829 How can. 526 00:24:05,829 --> 00:24:07,709 They don't understand joy, so they'll say, happy. 527 00:24:07,709 --> 00:24:10,439 How can you be so happy in the midst of all of this? 528 00:24:11,319 --> 00:24:13,399 I tell you, I don't see Ms. Chalene here right now. 529 00:24:13,479 --> 00:24:14,399 Is Ms. Chalene here? 530 00:24:14,399 --> 00:24:15,159 Oh, there she is. 531 00:24:15,399 --> 00:24:17,399 Well, she's already here. 532 00:24:17,479 --> 00:24:18,279 I don't want you to. 533 00:24:18,439 --> 00:24:20,399 Don't let your head puff up, okay, Sweetheart? 534 00:24:20,399 --> 00:24:20,919 I love you. 535 00:24:22,599 --> 00:24:24,439 Listen, I've never seen. 536 00:24:24,439 --> 00:24:26,479 Honestly, I've never seen Ms. Chalene. 537 00:24:26,479 --> 00:24:26,999 I love you. 538 00:24:27,159 --> 00:24:28,639 And I'm asking the Lord right now. 539 00:24:28,639 --> 00:24:31,519 Just keep you humble while we say this because it can definitely 540 00:24:31,519 --> 00:24:32,679 affect you if you let it. 541 00:24:33,159 --> 00:24:33,719 Amen. 542 00:24:33,959 --> 00:24:35,399 She's letting her head deflate. 543 00:24:36,969 --> 00:24:41,689 I've never met anybody going through cancer the way that she is, 544 00:24:42,889 --> 00:24:44,489 who handles it the way she does. 545 00:24:45,529 --> 00:24:49,129 I've never seen anybody with that spirit, with that demeanor, 546 00:24:49,129 --> 00:24:50,089 with that joy. 547 00:24:50,889 --> 00:24:53,409 I mean, she comes into the room and she ought to be the one 548 00:24:53,409 --> 00:24:55,849 that everybody goes to and is trying to encourage. 549 00:24:55,849 --> 00:24:57,209 She encourages me. 550 00:24:57,769 --> 00:25:00,649 She walks into a room and she lights up the room. 551 00:25:03,139 --> 00:25:03,939 That's joy. 552 00:25:06,099 --> 00:25:07,459 I love you, Ms. Chalene. 553 00:25:10,739 --> 00:25:11,539 I know you do. 554 00:25:11,539 --> 00:25:12,579 Your joy matters. 555 00:25:12,979 --> 00:25:13,859 Your joy matters. 556 00:25:13,859 --> 00:25:15,139 And it matters to Jesus Christ. 557 00:25:15,139 --> 00:25:17,459 Our joy matters for more than ourselves. 558 00:25:18,099 --> 00:25:19,859 It causes the world to question. 559 00:25:20,659 --> 00:25:22,579 It causes the church to rejoice. 560 00:25:23,219 --> 00:25:24,899 And it's the hope of our Savior. 561 00:25:26,019 --> 00:25:27,139 Your joy matters. 562 00:25:27,459 --> 00:25:27,979 Amen. 563 00:25:27,979 --> 00:25:30,339 Let's stand together this evening, just for a few minutes.