1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,880 And now we're gonna have a sermunion from Marcel. 2 00:00:04,140 --> 00:00:06,000 Aw, let's give it up for the one. 3 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:12,690 The only, the Marcel Hall. 4 00:00:18,410 --> 00:00:19,330 There you go. 5 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:26,280 Man, that's funny. 6 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:27,030 That's funny. 7 00:00:27,930 --> 00:00:29,010 I appreciate that. 8 00:00:29,970 --> 00:00:31,080 I appreciate that. 9 00:00:31,080 --> 00:00:31,980 Come on now. 10 00:00:31,980 --> 00:00:32,519 There you go. 11 00:00:32,519 --> 00:00:34,470 That's why you, okay, I see what you be doing. 12 00:00:34,950 --> 00:00:35,610 There you go. 13 00:00:35,615 --> 00:00:36,420 There you go. 14 00:00:36,990 --> 00:00:37,800 That's awesome. 15 00:00:38,010 --> 00:00:39,120 I appreciate that. 16 00:00:39,510 --> 00:00:41,220 I need that when I walk into my house. 17 00:00:42,870 --> 00:00:44,310 . Well, my kids know I'm home. 18 00:00:44,310 --> 00:00:45,180 You know what I'm saying? 19 00:00:45,850 --> 00:00:46,340 . Yeah. 20 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:47,730 Pops is here. 21 00:00:47,760 --> 00:00:48,630 Act right. 22 00:00:48,974 --> 00:00:49,465 Amen. 23 00:00:49,514 --> 00:00:50,924 Be respectful to your mama. 24 00:00:50,924 --> 00:00:51,855 You know what I'm saying? 25 00:00:52,965 --> 00:00:53,715 Amen. 26 00:00:53,715 --> 00:00:54,404 Amen. 27 00:00:54,404 --> 00:00:57,974 Well, uh, it is been a good morning so far, hasn't it? 28 00:00:58,424 --> 00:01:00,855 Uh, so encouraging to acknowledge those. 29 00:01:00,855 --> 00:01:01,815 We've been working hard. 30 00:01:02,025 --> 00:01:03,105 So cool to meet Britney. 31 00:01:03,105 --> 00:01:05,625 I know if you're like me, you thought she was, uh, she had a little sister, 32 00:01:05,625 --> 00:01:06,914 sister in her, you know what I'm saying? 33 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:07,105 Yeah. 34 00:01:07,424 --> 00:01:08,625 They're like, oh, you're Indian. 35 00:01:08,625 --> 00:01:09,194 Oh, okay. 36 00:01:09,194 --> 00:01:09,614 All right. 37 00:01:09,614 --> 00:01:10,215 There you go. 38 00:01:10,454 --> 00:01:11,054 All right. 39 00:01:11,054 --> 00:01:12,974 So, uh, that makes sense. 40 00:01:12,974 --> 00:01:15,494 Cause the way she was singing, I thought she had some sister soul in there. 41 00:01:16,033 --> 00:01:18,554 Well, she's, uh, she's Indian, so I guess, you know, they got some 42 00:01:18,559 --> 00:01:20,085 sister soul in a different way there. 43 00:01:22,184 --> 00:01:25,934 grateful to be able to deliver a message from God's word this morning. 44 00:01:26,699 --> 00:01:31,079 We started the year, um, with this statement, when you, when we truly 45 00:01:31,079 --> 00:01:35,098 know who we belong to, we will believe God's plans and purposes and will 46 00:01:35,098 --> 00:01:37,529 become who we were created to be. 47 00:01:37,529 --> 00:01:41,339 And so we broke up our year into these three parts in which we focused on 48 00:01:41,549 --> 00:01:46,169 first belonging and, and really walked through many layers and facets of that. 49 00:01:46,169 --> 00:01:47,699 And we talked about believing. 50 00:01:47,789 --> 00:01:51,658 And for last trimester here we've been talking about becoming. 51 00:01:51,989 --> 00:01:54,839 And over the last couple weeks we've been talking about how because of 52 00:01:54,839 --> 00:01:58,529 Jesus, we can become people of hope. 53 00:01:58,859 --> 00:02:04,079 And then last week we talked about because of Jesus, we can become people of peace. 54 00:02:04,289 --> 00:02:07,319 And today we're gonna be talking about how because of Jesus, 55 00:02:07,319 --> 00:02:10,288 we can become people of joy. 56 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:14,249 And so let's go ahead and let's say a word of prayer. 57 00:02:14,669 --> 00:02:21,599 Father in heaven, God almighty, king of kings, and Lord of lords. 58 00:02:22,619 --> 00:02:26,880 God, when we are able to think about the words that we're singing, when 59 00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:31,289 we're able to think about the treasures and the blessings that we have in 60 00:02:31,295 --> 00:02:34,619 Christ, it does something to our souls. 61 00:02:35,070 --> 00:02:35,460 Father. 62 00:02:35,460 --> 00:02:37,440 It ignites something in us. 63 00:02:37,500 --> 00:02:40,329 It allows us to draw closer to you. 64 00:02:40,980 --> 00:02:45,809 It allows the in inner turmoil or whatever is going on inside 65 00:02:45,809 --> 00:02:51,780 to be redirected to your will and God, we want to acknowledge you. 66 00:02:51,780 --> 00:02:53,369 We want to praise you. 67 00:02:53,550 --> 00:02:59,789 God, we want to lift your name high and Father, I pray that your word, your holy 68 00:02:59,789 --> 00:03:05,760 word, the word that that is breathes from you, God, it will transform us today. 69 00:03:06,329 --> 00:03:08,190 God, it will enlighten us. 70 00:03:08,190 --> 00:03:09,539 It will engage us. 71 00:03:09,599 --> 00:03:13,650 It will draw us to greater faith and greater conviction about who 72 00:03:13,650 --> 00:03:16,530 you are and who we are in Christ. 73 00:03:17,460 --> 00:03:23,100 And the opportunity to join you in your redemptive work here 74 00:03:23,190 --> 00:03:25,620 on Earth in the name of Jesus. 75 00:03:26,019 --> 00:03:26,510 Amen. 76 00:03:26,780 --> 00:03:27,269 Amen. 77 00:03:27,539 --> 00:03:28,870 I want to ask you a question. 78 00:03:29,610 --> 00:03:32,579 What brings you joy? 79 00:03:34,260 --> 00:03:36,720 What brings you joy? 80 00:03:37,170 --> 00:03:40,050 Let's get some people to answer what brings you joy? 81 00:03:40,050 --> 00:03:42,900 Let's get a couple people to answer what brings you joy. 82 00:03:42,905 --> 00:03:43,440 Yes sir. 83 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:44,640 Street tacos. 84 00:03:45,030 --> 00:03:46,710 Street tacos. 85 00:03:48,860 --> 00:03:49,350 Amen. 86 00:03:49,355 --> 00:03:50,579 Street tacos. 87 00:03:50,579 --> 00:03:53,940 You know, I was having a conversation with a buddy of mine and I appreciate 88 00:03:53,945 --> 00:03:57,360 your faith right there cuz you know there's some other things on the 89 00:03:57,365 --> 00:04:01,950 street that I see that are really popular and I refuse to purchase one. 90 00:04:01,950 --> 00:04:04,200 I I just don't have the faith, Kyle, you know what I'm saying? 91 00:04:04,500 --> 00:04:08,670 But I appreciate that you get joy from street tacos. 92 00:04:08,670 --> 00:04:08,820 All right. 93 00:04:08,820 --> 00:04:09,870 I saw another hand on this side. 94 00:04:09,870 --> 00:04:10,260 Yes, sir. 95 00:04:10,694 --> 00:04:11,184 Hugs. 96 00:04:11,384 --> 00:04:12,375 Hugs. 97 00:04:12,614 --> 00:04:12,974 Hugs. 98 00:04:12,974 --> 00:04:13,154 Give. 99 00:04:13,184 --> 00:04:14,534 Give that man a hug right now. 100 00:04:14,534 --> 00:04:15,734 Can he get some joy? 101 00:04:16,754 --> 00:04:17,504 Hey man. 102 00:04:17,923 --> 00:04:19,184 Elijah, you give him a hug too. 103 00:04:19,184 --> 00:04:20,704 That's double joy right there. 104 00:04:21,464 --> 00:04:22,094 There you go. 105 00:04:22,094 --> 00:04:22,454 All right. 106 00:04:22,454 --> 00:04:23,895 In the back there waving your hand. 107 00:04:23,895 --> 00:04:24,674 Yes, she right there. 108 00:04:24,704 --> 00:04:25,464 Two sons. 109 00:04:25,875 --> 00:04:26,565 What'd you say? 110 00:04:26,569 --> 00:04:27,344 Two sons. 111 00:04:27,349 --> 00:04:28,364 My two sons. 112 00:04:28,364 --> 00:04:29,714 How old are your two sons? 113 00:04:30,914 --> 00:04:31,904 Two and six. 114 00:04:31,904 --> 00:04:32,954 Enjoy it now. 115 00:04:33,645 --> 00:04:34,694 . Two and six. 116 00:04:34,694 --> 00:04:35,145 Royal. 117 00:04:35,145 --> 00:04:35,474 Oh boy. 118 00:04:35,474 --> 00:04:37,034 Wait till they're 12 and 16. 119 00:04:37,034 --> 00:04:38,444 I wanna hear that same thing. 120 00:04:39,254 --> 00:04:39,734 . Come on. 121 00:04:39,734 --> 00:04:40,125 That's good. 122 00:04:40,125 --> 00:04:40,724 That's awesome. 123 00:04:40,724 --> 00:04:41,145 Yes. 124 00:04:41,414 --> 00:04:42,464 Time with my friend. 125 00:04:42,614 --> 00:04:43,784 Time with my friend. 126 00:04:43,815 --> 00:04:46,214 Then she goes over here and touches their friends there. 127 00:04:46,364 --> 00:04:46,694 Okay. 128 00:04:46,694 --> 00:04:46,964 Yes. 129 00:04:46,964 --> 00:04:47,234 Who's that? 130 00:04:47,234 --> 00:04:47,534 Marty? 131 00:04:47,534 --> 00:04:47,804 Yes. 132 00:04:48,414 --> 00:04:49,024 Prayer. 133 00:04:50,414 --> 00:04:52,335 Prayers being answered with, yes. 134 00:04:52,335 --> 00:04:55,154 Prayers are always answered, but we love when God says yes. 135 00:04:55,159 --> 00:04:55,544 All right. 136 00:04:55,574 --> 00:04:55,875 Okay. 137 00:04:56,024 --> 00:04:58,744 Doca being here Sunday morning. 138 00:05:00,059 --> 00:05:00,549 Amen. 139 00:05:00,554 --> 00:05:03,719 Being here Sunday morning, praising God with all of you. 140 00:05:03,719 --> 00:05:04,379 Come on. 141 00:05:04,919 --> 00:05:06,809 Dork was an, a student right there. 142 00:05:06,809 --> 00:05:07,109 Huh? 143 00:05:07,230 --> 00:05:09,569 She was like, what does the teacher want to hear? 144 00:05:09,599 --> 00:05:10,049 Okay. 145 00:05:10,054 --> 00:05:10,559 Come on. 146 00:05:10,559 --> 00:05:10,980 There you go. 147 00:05:10,980 --> 00:05:11,339 Alright. 148 00:05:11,344 --> 00:05:11,819 Be Corey. 149 00:05:11,819 --> 00:05:12,119 Go ahead. 150 00:05:12,719 --> 00:05:21,349 Uh, I'd say can also being here, but the church of, um, coming back the 151 00:05:21,355 --> 00:05:26,639 second round from the very first time I came, he says music and then also 152 00:05:26,639 --> 00:05:28,649 bringing, coming back to our church here. 153 00:05:28,649 --> 00:05:32,219 He used to come a long time ago and now he's been coming back to our church here. 154 00:05:32,219 --> 00:05:32,849 Come on. 155 00:05:32,849 --> 00:05:33,569 Amen. 156 00:05:34,079 --> 00:05:34,829 All right. 157 00:05:34,829 --> 00:05:35,969 All right, let's go one more. 158 00:05:35,969 --> 00:05:36,299 Eric. 159 00:05:36,299 --> 00:05:36,719 Yes. 160 00:05:36,869 --> 00:05:38,230 Um, quality time with other people. 161 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:41,069 Quality time with other people. 162 00:05:41,159 --> 00:05:41,549 Okay. 163 00:05:41,549 --> 00:05:42,089 That's good. 164 00:05:42,210 --> 00:05:42,929 One, one more. 165 00:05:42,929 --> 00:05:43,319 Bobby. 166 00:05:43,319 --> 00:05:43,949 Yes, go ahead. 167 00:05:43,949 --> 00:05:44,279 Bobby. 168 00:05:45,569 --> 00:05:46,619 His wife. 169 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:50,339 That man got into an argument earlier. 170 00:05:51,090 --> 00:05:52,500 He's trying to make up for it. 171 00:05:53,280 --> 00:05:54,360 Uh, yes. 172 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:55,558 My wife, she gives me great. 173 00:05:55,590 --> 00:05:56,250 I'm just playing. 174 00:05:56,280 --> 00:05:57,030 I'm just playing. 175 00:05:57,480 --> 00:05:58,680 Bobby, so good to see you. 176 00:05:58,950 --> 00:06:00,090 Please keep praying for Bobby. 177 00:06:00,090 --> 00:06:02,460 As many of you know, Bobby has a lot of health challenge, but, uh, 178 00:06:02,490 --> 00:06:03,870 man, it's so good to see Bobby. 179 00:06:03,875 --> 00:06:07,020 He had a, he had a heart attack, uh, just about a week and a half ago. 180 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:09,480 And, uh, so he had a heart attack during the middle of the 181 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:10,890 week and was here on Sunday. 182 00:06:10,890 --> 00:06:11,400 Amen. 183 00:06:12,780 --> 00:06:15,300 So if you have an excuse, you better go talk to Bobby. 184 00:06:16,260 --> 00:06:17,700 Oh, my toe hurts, man. 185 00:06:17,700 --> 00:06:19,410 That man had a heart attack and he was here. 186 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:21,960 . I want to hear that. 187 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:22,410 All right. 188 00:06:22,410 --> 00:06:22,920 Come on. 189 00:06:23,480 --> 00:06:24,809 The wife giving him joy. 190 00:06:24,809 --> 00:06:25,650 Amen. 191 00:06:26,370 --> 00:06:28,559 Well, let's go ahead and let's talk about joy. 192 00:06:28,559 --> 00:06:31,680 And in fact, what I want us to do here is get a biblical sense of joy. 193 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:34,650 And so, uh, I know a good friend of mine, Chris Colossi, loves the, 194 00:06:34,650 --> 00:06:36,390 uh, the, the Bible project videos. 195 00:06:36,570 --> 00:06:39,480 And so they have this cool Bible project video and I want us to 196 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:41,070 go ahead and play that right now. 197 00:06:41,070 --> 00:06:42,270 Let's go ahead and do that. 198 00:06:43,650 --> 00:06:47,520 Being in a good mood is really great, and most languages have lots of 199 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:52,440 words to describe the experience like happy, cheerful, joyful, and so on. 200 00:06:52,619 --> 00:06:54,659 The same goes for the languages of the Bible. 201 00:06:54,719 --> 00:07:00,299 In ancient biblical Hebrew, there's a variety of words like or Gil. 202 00:07:00,360 --> 00:07:04,529 In the Greek New Testament, there's EU or asis. 203 00:07:04,590 --> 00:07:08,069 Each word has its own unique nuance, but they all basically refer to 204 00:07:08,069 --> 00:07:09,929 the feeling of joy and happiness. 205 00:07:10,079 --> 00:07:14,400 Now, what makes these biblical joy words interesting is noticing the kinds of 206 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:19,199 things that bring happiness, and also seeing how joy is a key theme that runs 207 00:07:19,199 --> 00:07:20,730 through the whole story of the Bible. 208 00:07:20,909 --> 00:07:22,619 Let's start with sources of joy. 209 00:07:22,710 --> 00:07:27,389 On page one of the Bible, God says that this world is very good, and so naturally 210 00:07:27,395 --> 00:07:31,679 people find joy in beautiful and good things of life, like growing flocks 211 00:07:31,684 --> 00:07:33,808 or in abundant harvest on the hills. 212 00:07:33,900 --> 00:07:37,860 The poet of Psalm 104 says A good bottle of wine is God's gift 213 00:07:37,860 --> 00:07:39,509 to bring joy to people's heart. 214 00:07:39,509 --> 00:07:42,719 People find joy at a wedding or in their children. 215 00:07:42,749 --> 00:07:46,109 There's even a Hebrew proverb that compares the joy that perfume 216 00:07:46,109 --> 00:07:49,770 brings to your nose with the joy a good friend brings to your heart. 217 00:07:49,919 --> 00:07:53,009 However, human history isn't just a joy fest. 218 00:07:53,099 --> 00:07:55,829 The biblical story shows how we live in a world that's been 219 00:07:55,829 --> 00:07:58,139 corrupted by our own selfishness. 220 00:07:58,169 --> 00:08:01,319 It's marked by death and lost, and this is where Biblical faith 221 00:08:01,319 --> 00:08:03,419 offers a unique perspective on joy. 222 00:08:03,479 --> 00:08:07,169 It's an attitude God's people adopt, not because of happy 223 00:08:07,169 --> 00:08:10,709 circumstances, but because of their hope in God's love and promise. 224 00:08:10,770 --> 00:08:14,459 So when Israelites were suffering from slavery in Egypt, God raised 225 00:08:14,464 --> 00:08:16,229 up Moses to lead them into freedom. 226 00:08:16,409 --> 00:08:19,649 And the first thing that Israelites did was sing for joy. 227 00:08:19,739 --> 00:08:22,919 Even though they were in the middle of a desert, they were vulnerable. 228 00:08:22,949 --> 00:08:24,929 The promised land was still far away. 229 00:08:25,079 --> 00:08:25,979 They rejoiced. 230 00:08:26,864 --> 00:08:30,224 Later, biblical poets looked back on this story and they remembered how 231 00:08:30,254 --> 00:08:34,605 the Lord caused his people to leave with joy, his chosen ones with shouts 232 00:08:34,605 --> 00:08:37,034 of joy, this joy in the wilderness. 233 00:08:37,034 --> 00:08:40,664 This was a defining moment, a way of saying that the joy of God's 234 00:08:40,664 --> 00:08:44,954 people is not determined by their struggles, but by their future destiny. 235 00:08:45,194 --> 00:08:48,554 The theme appears later in Israel's story, when Israel suffered under the 236 00:08:48,554 --> 00:08:52,214 oppression of foreign empires, the prophet Isaiah looked for a day when God would 237 00:08:52,214 --> 00:08:54,674 raise up a new deliverer like Moses. 238 00:08:54,704 --> 00:08:58,094 That's when those redeemed by the Lord will return to Zion. 239 00:08:58,094 --> 00:09:02,324 With glad shouts, with eternal joy crowning their heads, happiness 240 00:09:02,324 --> 00:09:03,855 and joy will overtake them. 241 00:09:03,944 --> 00:09:07,605 And while the Israelites waited, they chose joy to anticipate 242 00:09:07,605 --> 00:09:08,654 their future redemption. 243 00:09:08,744 --> 00:09:11,474 This is why it's significant that when Jesus of Nazareth was 244 00:09:11,474 --> 00:09:15,134 born, it was announced as good news that brings great joy. 245 00:09:15,194 --> 00:09:19,424 We're told that Jesus himself rejoiced and gave thanks to God his father, when 246 00:09:19,424 --> 00:09:20,994 he began to announce the kingdom of God. 247 00:09:21,510 --> 00:09:25,380 He even taught his followers the same joy in the wilderness saying, when 248 00:09:25,380 --> 00:09:30,389 people reject you or persecute you for following me, rejoice, be very glad 249 00:09:30,420 --> 00:09:32,460 because your reward is great in heaven. 250 00:09:32,730 --> 00:09:35,520 After his death and resurrection, Jesus commissioned his followers to 251 00:09:35,525 --> 00:09:39,449 go out and announce the good news that he was the risen king of the world. 252 00:09:39,900 --> 00:09:42,270 And as they did so, the early Christian communities were 253 00:09:42,270 --> 00:09:44,099 known for being full of joy. 254 00:09:44,190 --> 00:09:47,490 Even when they were persecuted, like when the Apostle Paul was sitting in a 255 00:09:47,490 --> 00:09:52,650 dirty Roman prison, he could say that he's chosen joy even if he gets executed. 256 00:09:52,740 --> 00:09:56,130 He called this the joy of faith or joy in the Lord. 257 00:09:56,760 --> 00:09:59,070 He believed it was the gift of God's spirit. 258 00:09:59,130 --> 00:10:01,679 A sign that Jesus' presence is with you. 259 00:10:01,679 --> 00:10:03,960 Inspiring hope in the midst of hardship. 260 00:10:04,050 --> 00:10:06,960 And when you believe that Jesus's love has overcome death 261 00:10:06,960 --> 00:10:11,099 itself, joy becomes reasonable in the darkest of circumstances. 262 00:10:11,130 --> 00:10:14,310 Now, this doesn't mean that you ignore or suppress your sorrow. 263 00:10:14,340 --> 00:10:16,590 That's not healthy or necessary. 264 00:10:16,650 --> 00:10:19,980 Paul often expressed his grief about missing loved ones or 265 00:10:19,980 --> 00:10:22,110 losing friends or his own freedom. 266 00:10:22,139 --> 00:10:27,270 He called it being full of sorrow and yet rejoicing as he acknowledged his pain. 267 00:10:27,275 --> 00:10:32,490 He also made a choice to trust Jesus that his loss wouldn't be the final word. 268 00:10:32,550 --> 00:10:34,860 This is very different from the trite advice. 269 00:10:34,860 --> 00:10:39,389 To turn that frown upside down, Christian joy is a profound decision 270 00:10:39,389 --> 00:10:44,490 of faith and hope in the power of Jesus' own life and love, and that's 271 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:46,500 what biblical joy is all about. 272 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:48,290 Amen. 273 00:10:49,199 --> 00:10:53,460 It's really cool that we can talk about joy in the biblical sense. 274 00:10:54,090 --> 00:11:04,679 And how we as again, God's people because of Jesus, we can have joy and 275 00:11:04,685 --> 00:11:12,570 as joy can be sustained can happen even in the midst of trial, even in 276 00:11:12,599 --> 00:11:16,079 the midst of turmoil, we can have joy. 277 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:18,599 Let me ask you this here. 278 00:11:19,050 --> 00:11:22,170 Have you ever had some joy in God? 279 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:26,550 Have you had joy in the Lord? 280 00:11:26,790 --> 00:11:26,880 Yes. 281 00:11:31,199 --> 00:11:33,329 I want you to go ahead, let's do this for a quick second. 282 00:11:33,570 --> 00:11:38,610 If you, if Jesus has ever brought some joy in your life, wait. 283 00:11:38,760 --> 00:11:40,409 Lot of you said Jesus brought some joy in your life. 284 00:11:40,409 --> 00:11:41,190 Is that what you just told me? 285 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:41,639 Yes. 286 00:11:42,090 --> 00:11:42,360 Okay. 287 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:43,199 We're gonna do something, man. 288 00:11:43,199 --> 00:11:47,579 I haven't done this since I've been here in Orange County and it's a risk. 289 00:11:47,585 --> 00:11:51,329 He said, oh, you know what I, after I said that, I said, oh, I don't 290 00:11:51,329 --> 00:11:52,170 know if I should have said that. 291 00:11:52,170 --> 00:11:52,920 Can I walk it back? 292 00:11:53,550 --> 00:11:54,480 Here's what we're gonna do. 293 00:11:55,560 --> 00:11:56,730 Again, show me some hands here. 294 00:11:56,820 --> 00:12:00,960 Show me some hands if, if you've ever had some joy because of Jesus. 295 00:12:02,460 --> 00:12:03,090 Okay? 296 00:12:03,119 --> 00:12:06,659 Can we have some people share how Jesus brought you some joy? 297 00:12:08,190 --> 00:12:09,480 Oh, now we got some hands all the way. 298 00:12:09,485 --> 00:12:09,929 Come down. 299 00:12:09,929 --> 00:12:10,200 Okay. 300 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:10,920 All right, here we go. 301 00:12:11,070 --> 00:12:11,849 Here's what we're gonna do. 302 00:12:11,880 --> 00:12:13,079 All right, gene, come on up. 303 00:12:13,079 --> 00:12:14,070 All right, here we go. 304 00:12:14,250 --> 00:12:14,460 Alright. 305 00:12:14,460 --> 00:12:14,639 Right. 306 00:12:14,639 --> 00:12:15,960 Marty, you can come on up here. 307 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:19,260 I saw some hands over here from some young folks, and now y'all getting quiet. 308 00:12:19,260 --> 00:12:20,610 Savannah, come on up here. 309 00:12:20,670 --> 00:12:21,869 All right, come on up here. 310 00:12:22,020 --> 00:12:22,829 All right, here you go. 311 00:12:23,099 --> 00:12:25,320 We're going to give you, all right, here we go. 312 00:12:25,560 --> 00:12:29,119 We're going to give you just uh, you have 60 seconds. 313 00:12:29,450 --> 00:12:29,960 Oh wow. 314 00:12:30,030 --> 00:12:35,040 That's because if you go longer than 60 seconds, I'm gonna have the guys come up 315 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:38,970 here and start playing music again, . And we're gonna treat it like it's an award 316 00:12:38,970 --> 00:12:42,810 show, , and we're gonna pull you to the side and then the sermon's gonna go long. 317 00:12:42,810 --> 00:12:45,869 And we know how much everybody loves a long sermon. 318 00:12:48,090 --> 00:12:49,170 So look, you clap it. 319 00:12:50,775 --> 00:12:51,585 So here you go. 320 00:12:51,585 --> 00:12:57,165 We want you to share in 60 seconds or less how Jesus has brought joy to your life. 321 00:12:57,165 --> 00:12:58,425 Say your name first and then go ahead. 322 00:12:58,425 --> 00:12:58,785 All right. 323 00:12:58,905 --> 00:12:59,395 Okay. 324 00:12:59,575 --> 00:13:03,135 I'm Jean Alexander and I. 325 00:13:03,165 --> 00:13:05,415 The first thing I thought of was when I became a disciple. 326 00:13:05,415 --> 00:13:08,715 I was, uh, very unhappy with my life, and I praise. 327 00:13:08,775 --> 00:13:10,515 I prayed to God, where are you? 328 00:13:10,845 --> 00:13:15,165 And the next week I was invited out to church and I started citing the Bible and 329 00:13:15,165 --> 00:13:17,055 one of my best friends still to this day. 330 00:13:17,055 --> 00:13:19,065 In fact, I found the picture 25 years ago. 331 00:13:19,065 --> 00:13:23,565 I got baptized and then I thought of my, um, my son's baptism 332 00:13:23,565 --> 00:13:24,885 and my daughter's baptism. 333 00:13:25,335 --> 00:13:30,015 And it's amazing . It's so nice to have a family that's all disciples 334 00:13:30,015 --> 00:13:31,215 and I, it brings me a lot of joy. 335 00:13:32,025 --> 00:13:32,515 Amen. 336 00:13:35,925 --> 00:13:40,245 Um, my name's Savannah Carillo and I think the biggest moment was when 337 00:13:40,250 --> 00:13:42,615 my whole family became disciples. 338 00:13:42,615 --> 00:13:44,865 We have a lot to participate in the same love and joy that. 339 00:13:44,954 --> 00:13:45,855 Jesus gave to us. 340 00:13:45,855 --> 00:13:46,815 So yeah, that was cool. 341 00:13:47,744 --> 00:13:48,235 Amen. 342 00:13:51,494 --> 00:13:53,994 Uh, many times I've had, uh, questions. 343 00:13:54,000 --> 00:14:00,855 I needed answers and prayers needed answered, and sometimes, uh, a sermon will 344 00:14:00,855 --> 00:14:06,224 come up and give me an answer for what a problem I'm having or read the Bible. 345 00:14:06,944 --> 00:14:08,985 Uh, also read a devotional. 346 00:14:09,134 --> 00:14:13,034 And sometimes, uh, brothers and sisters like you will come up 347 00:14:13,034 --> 00:14:14,534 and give me some exhortation. 348 00:14:14,534 --> 00:14:16,935 Say, Hey, what about this, this, and that? 349 00:14:17,384 --> 00:14:21,525 And that's God following up, uh, things I need to have done, spirit. 350 00:14:21,674 --> 00:14:22,634 And that brings me joy. 351 00:14:23,114 --> 00:14:23,685 Thank you all. 352 00:14:23,985 --> 00:14:26,715 Hey, man, give it on up. 353 00:14:26,715 --> 00:14:28,335 They all were under 60 seconds. 354 00:14:28,335 --> 00:14:28,935 Where they, Kyle? 355 00:14:28,935 --> 00:14:29,594 Did you time them? 356 00:14:30,165 --> 00:14:31,154 Kyle was on them there. 357 00:14:31,154 --> 00:14:32,025 Amen. 358 00:14:32,355 --> 00:14:33,645 Man, that's a lot of pressure, huh? 359 00:14:33,645 --> 00:14:35,384 On the preacher after what you just said. 360 00:14:35,895 --> 00:14:36,404 There you go. 361 00:14:36,404 --> 00:14:38,565 I gotta, I gotta say something to meet and need right now. 362 00:14:38,565 --> 00:14:38,775 Huh? 363 00:14:38,775 --> 00:14:39,614 There you go. 364 00:14:40,065 --> 00:14:41,824 Well, here's what we're gonna talk about here. 365 00:14:42,344 --> 00:14:45,224 We're gonna talk about how Jesus gives us divine joy. 366 00:14:46,544 --> 00:14:50,384 Jesus gives us divine joy. 367 00:14:52,125 --> 00:14:54,794 We're gonna take it up in John chapter 15. 368 00:14:55,004 --> 00:14:56,534 In John chapter 15. 369 00:14:56,534 --> 00:14:59,234 We're gonna read here and we're taking it up. 370 00:14:59,234 --> 00:15:03,105 We were in John 14 last week, and so this is called, you know, a lot of scholars 371 00:15:03,105 --> 00:15:05,324 call this the farewell discourse. 372 00:15:05,415 --> 00:15:09,284 Jesus just finished his last supper with the, uh, uh, with his 373 00:15:09,284 --> 00:15:13,484 followers before he's going to get, uh, arrested and then crucified. 374 00:15:13,574 --> 00:15:16,875 And so he gives this discourse, they're having this conversation, 375 00:15:16,875 --> 00:15:20,355 and again, he gives some rich theology for us and he answers some 376 00:15:20,355 --> 00:15:24,674 questions and it starts to make a little bit of sense to the apostles. 377 00:15:24,824 --> 00:15:27,915 And at the beginning of John chapter 15, he starts off by 378 00:15:27,915 --> 00:15:34,125 saying that he is the vine and that his followers are the branches. 379 00:15:34,274 --> 00:15:38,355 And so there's this idea that he keeps saying throughout verses 380 00:15:38,355 --> 00:15:41,024 one through eight of remain in me. 381 00:15:41,834 --> 00:15:45,554 And so again, there's this imagery that the branches, in order to be fruitful, 382 00:15:45,554 --> 00:15:50,774 have to remain in the vine, and so that's the context in which we take it up. 383 00:15:50,779 --> 00:15:55,604 In verse nine, the Bible reads, it says, as the Father, this is Jesus speaking 384 00:15:55,609 --> 00:16:00,614 again to his followers, as the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. 385 00:16:00,915 --> 00:16:02,685 Now remain in my love. 386 00:16:02,954 --> 00:16:06,104 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love. 387 00:16:06,254 --> 00:16:09,524 Just as I have kept my father's commands and remain in his love. 388 00:16:09,884 --> 00:16:16,064 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 389 00:16:16,514 --> 00:16:18,145 We'll stop right there. 390 00:16:18,494 --> 00:16:21,374 It's interesting to note here right at the beginning, just like we talked 391 00:16:21,374 --> 00:16:28,124 about last week, that this peace, this love, this joy, there's this connection 392 00:16:28,124 --> 00:16:33,224 between a relationship with God and also our keeping of Jesus' commands. 393 00:16:33,229 --> 00:16:33,784 Did you see that? 394 00:16:34,060 --> 00:16:34,790 That's right. 395 00:16:34,979 --> 00:16:37,109 He says it clearly look, remain in my love. 396 00:16:37,109 --> 00:16:40,709 He says, keep my commands and you will remain in my love. 397 00:16:40,859 --> 00:16:45,899 Not that God won't love us, but we won't have this loving relationship 398 00:16:45,899 --> 00:16:51,629 in which we're designed for if we defiantly, if we intentionally 399 00:16:52,199 --> 00:16:54,719 go against his will and his word. 400 00:16:54,869 --> 00:16:58,859 And so we always have to remember that this is a relationship, but we play a 401 00:16:58,859 --> 00:17:03,839 role in this relationship and part of our role in keeping this loving relationship 402 00:17:03,959 --> 00:17:08,159 is to keep the commands of Jesus church, or you understand what I'm saying? 403 00:17:09,299 --> 00:17:12,659 And so we won't spend much time, we talked about it last week and how fitting, 404 00:17:12,779 --> 00:17:14,759 we talked about the umbrella of peace. 405 00:17:14,763 --> 00:17:16,949 And boy, oh boy, we need some umbrellas today, don't we? 406 00:17:17,969 --> 00:17:21,029 We need some umbrellas of peace, but we can see, even hear the umbrella 407 00:17:21,029 --> 00:17:24,750 of joy when we have the joy of Jesus. 408 00:17:24,839 --> 00:17:25,888 Now here's what's interesting. 409 00:17:25,979 --> 00:17:28,770 He says, so that my joy may be in you. 410 00:17:29,729 --> 00:17:32,310 He didn't say, I just want you to have some joy in your life. 411 00:17:32,560 --> 00:17:42,989 Yeah, I want my joy to be in you, and then your joy will now become complete. 412 00:17:44,219 --> 00:17:53,460 Now, Jesus must have been a joyful person in order to say this, because if he wasn't 413 00:17:53,460 --> 00:17:57,929 joyful and he says, Hey, I want you to have my joy, that would've been a bummer. 414 00:17:59,190 --> 00:18:02,489 That's like being around the grumpy person, the critical person. 415 00:18:02,549 --> 00:18:08,909 And he goes, yeah, if you follow me, you could have my joy . That's okay. 416 00:18:09,960 --> 00:18:12,210 So some of us said that they, Jesus was all serious, or he was 417 00:18:12,210 --> 00:18:13,710 a man of sorrows, and he was that. 418 00:18:13,859 --> 00:18:17,370 But obviously he had a lot of joy because this would've brought 419 00:18:17,370 --> 00:18:21,569 them comforts when he said this. 420 00:18:22,589 --> 00:18:25,980 So being around Jesus wasn't a joy, kill or kill joy? 421 00:18:26,069 --> 00:18:26,310 No. 422 00:18:26,310 --> 00:18:29,940 He obviously exuded and had a lot of joy, says, Hey, this joy that 423 00:18:29,940 --> 00:18:38,264 I have, I want it to be in you again, not just a type of joy. 424 00:18:38,504 --> 00:18:42,554 Not just joy, but he wants us to have his joy. 425 00:18:43,304 --> 00:18:51,674 And so as disciples of Jesus, we get a chance to become a people of joy when 426 00:18:51,674 --> 00:18:54,254 we're, when we remain in his love. 427 00:18:54,254 --> 00:18:58,245 You know, there's this really cool verse in Romans 14, the, the Apostle Paul wrote 428 00:18:58,245 --> 00:19:01,634 this letter to the church in Rome, and he says, here he is talking about a number of 429 00:19:01,639 --> 00:19:03,134 different things, but this is really cool. 430 00:19:03,139 --> 00:19:06,014 He says, for the kingdom of God, it is not a matter of eating and 431 00:19:06,014 --> 00:19:11,024 drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Spirits. 432 00:19:12,165 --> 00:19:16,335 That means true Christianity doesn't result in a stale, 433 00:19:16,395 --> 00:19:23,714 sad, or lifeless existence, but it results in peace and joy. 434 00:19:24,464 --> 00:19:25,665 Who doesn't want that? 435 00:19:27,045 --> 00:19:30,435 But again, as God's people, we get a chance to experience this, but we 436 00:19:30,435 --> 00:19:34,185 get to become people of joy again. 437 00:19:34,185 --> 00:19:39,345 But let's talk about this type of joy because we can confuse it with 438 00:19:39,345 --> 00:19:42,975 maybe what we think is divine joy. 439 00:19:43,305 --> 00:19:46,635 Because again, he says, or we've stated here, Jesus gives us 440 00:19:46,635 --> 00:19:48,945 divine joy because it's his joy. 441 00:19:48,975 --> 00:19:50,205 Jesus is divine. 442 00:19:50,355 --> 00:19:52,815 So the joy that he gives is what divine joy. 443 00:19:52,820 --> 00:19:54,075 You guys get what I'm saying here. 444 00:19:55,035 --> 00:19:58,935 And so this divine joy is different than happiness. 445 00:20:01,575 --> 00:20:05,415 Divine joy is different than happiness. 446 00:20:05,445 --> 00:20:07,515 Let's go ahead and let's break this down. 447 00:20:07,515 --> 00:20:13,755 You see, happiness is a status update, but joy is a state of being. 448 00:20:17,235 --> 00:20:23,085 You see, happiness is a status update, and we've all done that, haven't we? 449 00:20:23,655 --> 00:20:27,945 All of us on social media there, we, we go over here and let's put our feeling in. 450 00:20:27,975 --> 00:20:29,265 That's what happiness is. 451 00:20:29,415 --> 00:20:33,795 But divine joy is a state of being. 452 00:20:35,505 --> 00:20:38,505 You see, happiness is a feeling. 453 00:20:38,505 --> 00:20:46,365 While joy is an attitude and choice, happy, happiness is a fleeting feeling. 454 00:20:46,365 --> 00:20:52,005 It's an emotion just like sadness, jealousy, fear, but it's fleeting. 455 00:20:52,335 --> 00:20:56,265 You might be happy about something, you might be happy about those street tacos. 456 00:20:56,355 --> 00:20:58,215 You might be happy about that hug. 457 00:20:58,220 --> 00:21:01,305 You might be happy about whatever it is that we mentioned. 458 00:21:01,695 --> 00:21:04,695 But what happens, it won't sustain you, will it. 459 00:21:05,895 --> 00:21:11,355 It doesn't last forever, and you can't be continually happy forever 460 00:21:11,360 --> 00:21:12,555 by those things that we mentioned. 461 00:21:12,675 --> 00:21:15,405 But they're awesome, but they bring happiness. 462 00:21:15,945 --> 00:21:18,765 But what Jesus brings is divine joy. 463 00:21:19,649 --> 00:21:24,389 Divine joy sustains us when happiness eludes us. 464 00:21:26,040 --> 00:21:30,569 You see, divine joy makes happiness more than a fleeting feeling. 465 00:21:34,020 --> 00:21:40,409 You see, happiness is based on happiness, while divine joy 466 00:21:40,409 --> 00:21:42,120 is based on the eternal one. 467 00:21:44,069 --> 00:21:47,399 You see a lot of things that we think of when we're thinking of what makes 468 00:21:47,404 --> 00:21:52,859 us happy are based on circumstances, often what beyond our control. 469 00:21:55,409 --> 00:21:57,960 Kyle gets that street taco and it doesn't taste too good. 470 00:21:58,020 --> 00:21:59,909 He doesn't bring divine joy, does it? 471 00:22:01,259 --> 00:22:01,500 Now? 472 00:22:01,500 --> 00:22:02,190 He's discouraging. 473 00:22:02,190 --> 00:22:04,230 I seen Kyle when he doesn't get the food that he likes in. 474 00:22:04,230 --> 00:22:05,100 It's not a pretty sight 475 00:22:09,629 --> 00:22:13,350 and so we can see here happiness is based on circumstances that 476 00:22:13,350 --> 00:22:14,520 we're not even in control of. 477 00:22:14,520 --> 00:22:16,799 Think of the things that you mentioned that you were thinking of. 478 00:22:17,520 --> 00:22:19,590 Most of it is outta your control, isn't it? 479 00:22:21,210 --> 00:22:23,010 My friends, will they be with me? 480 00:22:23,010 --> 00:22:25,650 Oh, I can initiate, but will they reciprocate? 481 00:22:27,120 --> 00:22:28,830 A lot of these things, and these aren't bad. 482 00:22:28,835 --> 00:22:29,760 We're not knocking happiness. 483 00:22:29,940 --> 00:22:33,090 God, I do believe, wants us to have some happiness, but that's 484 00:22:33,090 --> 00:22:34,770 not his aim and goal in life. 485 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:41,819 It's to form us back into his image, but he provides and brings divine joy. 486 00:22:42,840 --> 00:22:45,930 You see, divine joy is more stable because it's based on the 487 00:22:45,930 --> 00:22:51,600 unchanging, unwavering love, power, and sovereignty of the Almighty God. 488 00:22:52,920 --> 00:22:57,810 It's based on his unmoving, unchanging word that is powerful, that's 489 00:22:57,810 --> 00:22:59,699 so powerful as life and death. 490 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:04,380 You see, divine joy starts with the choice and leads to a long lasting 491 00:23:04,529 --> 00:23:10,650 state of being, but the problem that you and I can have is when we either 492 00:23:10,654 --> 00:23:13,650 seek or expect from God to be happy. 493 00:23:15,915 --> 00:23:17,144 . You guys know what I'm talking about. 494 00:23:17,534 --> 00:23:17,924 Yeah, yeah. 495 00:23:18,224 --> 00:23:18,705 Right. 496 00:23:18,764 --> 00:23:20,324 We seek happiness. 497 00:23:20,324 --> 00:23:26,324 We seek this feeling, however, it's fleeting or we expect, well, God, 498 00:23:26,324 --> 00:23:28,844 you're supposed to make me happy. 499 00:23:29,444 --> 00:23:33,165 And then when we are in the midst of troubles or trials or our relationship, 500 00:23:33,165 --> 00:23:37,455 we're trying to wrestle it out, we're like, well, this doesn't make sense. 501 00:23:38,534 --> 00:23:41,324 Well, God didn't promise happiness. 502 00:23:42,014 --> 00:23:44,534 He wanted to give us divine joy. 503 00:23:46,064 --> 00:23:51,255 And so many times then after we have this struggle, we have the wrong perspective. 504 00:23:51,284 --> 00:23:52,724 We can get discouraged. 505 00:23:54,104 --> 00:24:01,755 I don't know if this Christianity thing really works or it's not fun anymore. 506 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:06,179 . I had a, a, a, a a person send me a text message. 507 00:24:06,179 --> 00:24:09,189 They told me that they wanted to leave God, and, and, and, and, 508 00:24:09,194 --> 00:24:10,139 and this was several years ago. 509 00:24:10,139 --> 00:24:12,359 And they said, you know, I've been through some hard times. 510 00:24:12,659 --> 00:24:13,949 And, uh, and what'd they say? 511 00:24:13,949 --> 00:24:15,599 I, I, I, I read it the other day. 512 00:24:15,809 --> 00:24:17,849 And, uh, they said, you know what? 513 00:24:17,880 --> 00:24:20,819 It's just not bringing me any more joy. 514 00:24:22,889 --> 00:24:26,609 And it was heartbreaking, really. 515 00:24:26,880 --> 00:24:28,109 He didn't have divine joy. 516 00:24:28,109 --> 00:24:30,120 Divine joy had had evacuated. 517 00:24:30,870 --> 00:24:36,029 He was talking about the happiness that he was expecting wasn't there in his life. 518 00:24:36,029 --> 00:24:38,470 So therefore, I might as well leave God. 519 00:24:40,500 --> 00:24:45,449 You see, we get in trouble when we seek or expect happiness, when 520 00:24:45,449 --> 00:24:48,929 what's available is divine joy. 521 00:24:50,550 --> 00:24:54,040 You see, if we're not experiencing divine joy, it's probably 522 00:24:54,045 --> 00:24:56,040 because our perspective is off. 523 00:24:57,090 --> 00:24:59,909 And or we're not remaining in Christ. 524 00:25:00,090 --> 00:25:07,920 Our relationship with him is fragile and or we are defiant 525 00:25:08,699 --> 00:25:10,380 when it comes to his commands. 526 00:25:11,370 --> 00:25:15,600 Instead of keeping his commands, we defiantly intentionally 527 00:25:16,080 --> 00:25:17,370 give it the Heisman. 528 00:25:18,729 --> 00:25:19,720 Oh, there you go. 529 00:25:19,850 --> 00:25:20,519 Alright. 530 00:25:20,689 --> 00:25:22,439 Hi, USC Heisman Trophy. 531 00:25:22,439 --> 00:25:23,040 It just came. 532 00:25:23,040 --> 00:25:24,090 The spirit flows. 533 00:25:26,130 --> 00:25:28,080 . If you don't know uscs quarterback won't. 534 00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:29,699 The Heisman trophy yesterday. 535 00:25:31,560 --> 00:25:33,330 Hey, I didn't even have that in my notes, Brian. 536 00:25:33,359 --> 00:25:34,649 It just comes, it just comes. 537 00:25:34,649 --> 00:25:35,760 The spirit's moving baby. 538 00:25:35,760 --> 00:25:36,510 The spirit's moving. 539 00:25:36,510 --> 00:25:37,170 Don't stop him. 540 00:25:38,310 --> 00:25:39,779 . That does bring me some happiness. 541 00:25:39,779 --> 00:25:40,470 And you know what? 542 00:25:40,475 --> 00:25:42,569 Somewhat joy, but it brings me anger at the same time. 543 00:25:42,569 --> 00:25:42,899 Amen. 544 00:25:43,080 --> 00:25:44,340 Sorry, I'm getting, I'm getting distracted. 545 00:25:44,340 --> 00:25:44,640 Here we go. 546 00:25:46,769 --> 00:25:50,670 . We get joy from what Jesus says and remaining in his love. 547 00:25:51,149 --> 00:25:53,099 We get joy from his word. 548 00:25:53,189 --> 00:25:56,009 I appreciate Marty saying, you know what, when God has a message 549 00:25:56,009 --> 00:25:58,709 for me in my niece, it changes me. 550 00:25:59,429 --> 00:26:00,719 It gets me focused. 551 00:26:00,719 --> 00:26:05,729 And it what he said, it brought him joy when he remained in Christ, when 552 00:26:05,729 --> 00:26:08,159 he started to keep His commandments. 553 00:26:08,549 --> 00:26:10,919 This divine joy comes from when we obey. 554 00:26:10,919 --> 00:26:11,309 You know what? 555 00:26:11,309 --> 00:26:14,339 Oh man, if I just, I'm struggling, but when I do the 556 00:26:14,339 --> 00:26:15,899 right thing, guess what happens? 557 00:26:15,899 --> 00:26:19,199 This divine joy starts to take place and you go, this is good. 558 00:26:19,379 --> 00:26:20,120 Yeah, yeah. 559 00:26:20,549 --> 00:26:21,689 I'm gonna remain here. 560 00:26:21,689 --> 00:26:25,409 I'm gonna, I'm gonna continue this divine joy. 561 00:26:25,409 --> 00:26:28,589 Yes, there's happiness in this, but it can happen. 562 00:26:28,589 --> 00:26:34,409 Even as we saw from the video in the midst of chaos, they can be heartache 563 00:26:34,409 --> 00:26:39,830 and pain all around us, but yet there's this weird transcendent, this, this, 564 00:26:39,834 --> 00:26:49,379 this unexplainable joy that we can have in that moment that can sustain. 565 00:26:49,949 --> 00:26:50,550 Again, yes. 566 00:26:50,550 --> 00:26:51,569 We have times of sorrow. 567 00:26:51,569 --> 00:26:53,430 We have times at which we mourn in grief. 568 00:26:53,430 --> 00:26:54,420 We saw that on Wednesday. 569 00:26:54,420 --> 00:26:57,810 There's a time for everything, but joy can happen. 570 00:26:57,810 --> 00:27:03,060 Divine joy is available for you and me as the people of God. 571 00:27:04,020 --> 00:27:05,370 Church, are you with me this morning? 572 00:27:06,510 --> 00:27:09,300 I wanna share a couple more observations about divine joy. 573 00:27:09,510 --> 00:27:13,650 You know, as followers of Jesus, we have divine joy because we have 574 00:27:13,650 --> 00:27:17,760 been forgiven of all our sins. 575 00:27:19,470 --> 00:27:21,750 Look at what it says in Romans chapter eight. 576 00:27:21,755 --> 00:27:27,659 It says, therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ 577 00:27:27,659 --> 00:27:31,739 Jesus because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set 578 00:27:31,739 --> 00:27:34,830 you free from the law of sin and death. 579 00:27:34,890 --> 00:27:40,319 There is no condemnation if you are in Christ Jesus. 580 00:27:42,630 --> 00:27:44,130 Did you hear what I just said? 581 00:27:44,670 --> 00:27:48,840 Sir, there's no condemnation if you are in Christ Jesus. 582 00:27:50,670 --> 00:27:52,019 Have any of you sinned? 583 00:27:54,330 --> 00:27:57,120 Just once it looked like Sosa's never sinned. 584 00:27:57,120 --> 00:27:58,949 He looked at me like, mm, I ain't never sinned. 585 00:28:00,479 --> 00:28:01,800 , you sinned before Sosa course. 586 00:28:01,880 --> 00:28:03,149 Oh, oh, oh, now it's the course. 587 00:28:03,149 --> 00:28:03,390 Okay. 588 00:28:03,394 --> 00:28:03,600 Yeah. 589 00:28:03,600 --> 00:28:03,870 All right. 590 00:28:05,699 --> 00:28:06,569 Anybody sin? 591 00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:07,529 Uh, a lot. 592 00:28:09,059 --> 00:28:11,340 Some of y'all like, man, I've been sending a whole lot this week. 593 00:28:11,340 --> 00:28:13,050 You should, you know, ask, ask my spouse. 594 00:28:15,930 --> 00:28:17,430 , you sin the lot, haven't you? 595 00:28:18,210 --> 00:28:19,380 If you're like me, you sin. 596 00:28:19,649 --> 00:28:21,149 Maybe send on the way up here. 597 00:28:21,989 --> 00:28:23,760 Maybe sin when you got up in here. 598 00:28:25,620 --> 00:28:27,120 But guess what the scriptures say? 599 00:28:28,260 --> 00:28:36,420 If you're in Christ Jesus, there's no condemning, no sentencing, no penalty, 600 00:28:36,989 --> 00:28:41,100 no death, no fear of hell or execution. 601 00:28:41,309 --> 00:28:42,059 There's no fear. 602 00:28:42,059 --> 00:28:43,050 I don't have to worry about it. 603 00:28:43,055 --> 00:28:45,930 Some of us, we get worried, oh no, I don't know if you're in Christ 604 00:28:45,930 --> 00:28:48,449 Jesus, you are not condemned. 605 00:28:49,779 --> 00:28:50,269 Amen. 606 00:28:50,550 --> 00:28:54,720 You have been forgiven, not of 1, 2, 3, but of all sins. 607 00:28:54,899 --> 00:28:55,019 Amen. 608 00:28:55,739 --> 00:28:57,659 And that was through Jesus on the cross. 609 00:28:59,220 --> 00:29:03,029 I don't know about you, but boy, boy, when I think about it, I'm like, hallelujah, 610 00:29:03,029 --> 00:29:05,040 sir, that I've been forgiven a sin. 611 00:29:05,370 --> 00:29:05,790 Yes. 612 00:29:06,569 --> 00:29:10,470 Because boy, oh boy, if I wasn't forgiven a sin, I'd be in some trouble. 613 00:29:11,250 --> 00:29:12,569 Or you with me church. 614 00:29:13,019 --> 00:29:13,590 Oh, I'm sorry. 615 00:29:13,590 --> 00:29:15,210 Maybe you're the type who hasn't sinned. 616 00:29:16,590 --> 00:29:17,220 Yes, you have. 617 00:29:17,224 --> 00:29:18,300 You just raised your hand. 618 00:29:19,620 --> 00:29:24,120 There's no condemnation, no condemning from the God Almighty. 619 00:29:25,409 --> 00:29:26,580 He says, you are forgiven. 620 00:29:29,489 --> 00:29:30,930 When that settles in. 621 00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:32,489 What does that do? 622 00:29:34,529 --> 00:29:35,609 It produces some joy. 623 00:29:36,300 --> 00:29:38,069 I'm a free man. 624 00:29:39,390 --> 00:29:42,599 Even if we have some bad days, there are a couple things that we could do. 625 00:29:42,659 --> 00:29:44,849 We can say, one, the tomb is still empty. 626 00:29:44,854 --> 00:29:45,510 Yes, sir. 627 00:29:45,870 --> 00:29:48,510 And we can say, hallelujah, that there's no condemnation for me. 628 00:29:50,310 --> 00:29:53,520 I had a, I had a conversation yesterday with a relative of mine who, uh, 629 00:29:53,650 --> 00:29:56,280 who, who, who's, he was in some hard times and he was calling me and 630 00:29:56,430 --> 00:29:57,960 he was sharing some things there. 631 00:29:58,110 --> 00:30:01,050 And, uh, he had been in prison for, for about 14 years. 632 00:30:01,380 --> 00:30:03,390 And as we're talking, he said, man, you know what? 633 00:30:03,390 --> 00:30:05,100 But least I'm not in prison anymore. 634 00:30:06,720 --> 00:30:10,020 We can always say that spiritually, you know, man, there's some 635 00:30:10,020 --> 00:30:11,370 things going on in my life. 636 00:30:11,550 --> 00:30:14,780 I've done some, I've made some mistakes, but hallelujah. 637 00:30:14,785 --> 00:30:16,470 I'm not in spiritual prison anymore. 638 00:30:17,460 --> 00:30:20,370 I am not condemned church. 639 00:30:20,375 --> 00:30:22,830 We should always have a reason to say amen in hallelujah. 640 00:30:23,160 --> 00:30:23,650 Amen. 641 00:30:23,970 --> 00:30:27,270 There's another reason, another observation that I have as dearly 642 00:30:27,270 --> 00:30:29,070 loved children of the most high God. 643 00:30:29,100 --> 00:30:33,240 We have divine joy because of the second coming of Jesus. 644 00:30:33,410 --> 00:30:33,970 Right? 645 00:30:34,110 --> 00:30:37,320 First Thessalonians for says, for the Lord himself will come down from 646 00:30:37,325 --> 00:30:40,680 heaven with the loud command, with the voice of the arch angel, and 647 00:30:40,680 --> 00:30:44,430 with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. 648 00:30:45,015 --> 00:30:48,435 After that we who are still alive and our left will be caught up together with him 649 00:30:48,435 --> 00:30:50,115 in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 650 00:30:50,295 --> 00:30:53,235 And so we will be with the Lord forever. 651 00:30:54,105 --> 00:30:58,695 Therefore, encourage one another with these words. 652 00:30:59,385 --> 00:31:02,595 He says, Jesus is coming back. 653 00:31:03,405 --> 00:31:06,855 Not a possibly, not a maybe. 654 00:31:07,035 --> 00:31:08,385 It's a fact. 655 00:31:09,015 --> 00:31:13,605 Jesus will come back and you and I, those who are in Christ, Jesus 656 00:31:13,755 --> 00:31:16,005 will be what The Almighty God. 657 00:31:16,005 --> 00:31:21,045 Forever the faith will become sights. 658 00:31:21,945 --> 00:31:25,125 The Lord that you are worshiping in sing it to today. 659 00:31:25,155 --> 00:31:29,595 You will now have eternal life with him and all of his people. 660 00:31:29,685 --> 00:31:31,395 Can I get an amen? 661 00:31:31,395 --> 00:31:31,545 Amen. 662 00:31:31,875 --> 00:31:32,275 Amen. 663 00:31:32,385 --> 00:31:35,505 I don't know about you, but I like this world, but boy oh boy, I 664 00:31:35,505 --> 00:31:37,485 really don't want this to be my end. 665 00:31:38,685 --> 00:31:43,905 It says Jesus is coming back and he's gonna bring us home with him. 666 00:31:45,899 --> 00:31:47,099 That's fantastic. 667 00:31:47,909 --> 00:31:49,500 We have something to look forward to. 668 00:31:50,129 --> 00:31:52,409 As my friend Steve Stevenson says, he always says, what 669 00:31:52,439 --> 00:31:54,059 the best is yet to come, sir. 670 00:31:55,259 --> 00:31:55,529 Why? 671 00:31:55,529 --> 00:31:56,909 Because it's true. 672 00:31:57,299 --> 00:32:02,069 No matter what happens, the best is yet to come because one day we'll be in heaven 673 00:32:02,129 --> 00:32:05,139 with our creator and maker, God Almighty. 674 00:32:06,599 --> 00:32:07,379 That's awesome. 675 00:32:08,669 --> 00:32:13,139 We have something to look forward to that the world unfortunately doesn't have. 676 00:32:14,609 --> 00:32:16,919 Again, we always have hope in Christ. 677 00:32:16,919 --> 00:32:21,389 We have peace and we have a joy because we know what's ahead and where we're going. 678 00:32:23,159 --> 00:32:26,370 You know, it's like kids, it's, it's Christmas and what happens? 679 00:32:26,370 --> 00:32:28,649 Kids get excited about. 680 00:32:28,649 --> 00:32:31,229 What about presents? 681 00:32:31,689 --> 00:32:36,540 I had my daughter come up to me the other day and she says, pops, uh, 682 00:32:36,569 --> 00:32:38,159 what are you getting me for Christmas? 683 00:32:40,139 --> 00:32:41,969 I looked at her and said, girl, you know nothing. 684 00:32:43,649 --> 00:32:45,330 You know, I don't give you no gifts. 685 00:32:45,569 --> 00:32:47,009 Tell me y'all looking like, man, that's a bad parent. 686 00:32:47,009 --> 00:32:47,819 I was just playing. 687 00:32:47,849 --> 00:32:50,699 Okay, , we get one gift. 688 00:32:50,699 --> 00:32:51,029 All right. 689 00:32:51,029 --> 00:32:51,509 There you go. 690 00:32:51,509 --> 00:32:51,960 All right. 691 00:32:53,219 --> 00:32:54,149 And she was excited. 692 00:32:54,149 --> 00:32:54,750 She was like, what? 693 00:32:54,750 --> 00:32:56,489 And so there's been packages coming in, right? 694 00:32:56,489 --> 00:32:59,819 Karina, she's had these packages coming in, and some of these are gifts. 695 00:32:59,819 --> 00:33:02,069 Some of them, she's sneaking in some shopping stuff, you know? 696 00:33:02,069 --> 00:33:04,500 I'm like, girl, what you doing ? What's this box? 697 00:33:04,500 --> 00:33:04,830 This guy? 698 00:33:04,830 --> 00:33:06,659 No, we ain't got that many gifts to give this year. 699 00:33:08,099 --> 00:33:09,029 , what is this box? 700 00:33:09,059 --> 00:33:10,889 Oh, I just got a couple things. 701 00:33:11,670 --> 00:33:12,330 . Sorry again. 702 00:33:12,330 --> 00:33:12,989 I'm digressing. 703 00:33:12,989 --> 00:33:14,159 Forgive me Brian, and forgive me. 704 00:33:14,550 --> 00:33:15,300 It just comes out. 705 00:33:16,649 --> 00:33:17,609 And so she's excited. 706 00:33:17,609 --> 00:33:19,170 She's looking for these gifts, man, I can't wait. 707 00:33:19,170 --> 00:33:20,340 What it's gonna be like. 708 00:33:21,059 --> 00:33:23,009 And that's what we have spiritually. 709 00:33:23,189 --> 00:33:24,239 We have someone to look forward to. 710 00:33:24,239 --> 00:33:25,139 The Lords coming back. 711 00:33:25,139 --> 00:33:27,569 The greatest gift of salvation is coming. 712 00:33:27,750 --> 00:33:30,479 What's it gonna be like, man, I can't wait to see. 713 00:33:30,479 --> 00:33:33,269 Can we talk with, with the, with the ancients and the faith, what's 714 00:33:33,269 --> 00:33:34,500 it gonna be like to meet Moses? 715 00:33:34,559 --> 00:33:36,120 What's it gonna be like to see the Lord? 716 00:33:36,179 --> 00:33:38,309 To see the angels to sing out and cry. 717 00:33:38,429 --> 00:33:39,349 It's gonna be amazing. 718 00:33:40,725 --> 00:33:42,255 They said, man, this Christians said there's gonna be no 719 00:33:42,255 --> 00:33:44,085 tears and no pain, no sorrow. 720 00:33:44,145 --> 00:33:45,705 Ooh, I wanna see that day. 721 00:33:46,635 --> 00:33:50,775 You see, we have something to look forward to because of the second coming to Jesus. 722 00:33:50,895 --> 00:33:50,984 Right? 723 00:33:51,765 --> 00:33:52,755 So here's what's really cool. 724 00:33:52,755 --> 00:33:53,205 It hit me. 725 00:33:53,205 --> 00:33:54,465 I was like, wow, this is so cool. 726 00:33:54,465 --> 00:33:54,795 Right? 727 00:33:55,034 --> 00:33:58,065 And so we, we, we get this joy from the past, right? 728 00:33:58,095 --> 00:34:01,065 Because of what Jesus did in the past, because he forgave our sins. 729 00:34:01,215 --> 00:34:03,435 We get this joy from the past. 730 00:34:04,125 --> 00:34:08,054 Then we think of the second coming, and we have joy for the future. 731 00:34:08,685 --> 00:34:11,324 So we have this joy from what happened in the past, and then 732 00:34:11,324 --> 00:34:12,944 we have this joy for the future. 733 00:34:13,034 --> 00:34:14,234 And then what does that lead to? 734 00:34:14,324 --> 00:34:15,074 That leads to what? 735 00:34:15,135 --> 00:34:16,484 Joy in the presence. 736 00:34:18,054 --> 00:34:19,154 How awesome is that? 737 00:34:20,775 --> 00:34:22,815 We get to look back and go, wow. 738 00:34:22,815 --> 00:34:23,654 Hallelujah. 739 00:34:23,925 --> 00:34:25,935 And then we get to look forward and go, man, I can't wait. 740 00:34:25,940 --> 00:34:26,835 This is awesome. 741 00:34:26,955 --> 00:34:31,665 And that leads us to right now having the joy of the Lord, can 742 00:34:31,670 --> 00:34:33,014 I get a hallelujah for that? 743 00:34:34,665 --> 00:34:36,585 I don't know about you, but that fires me up. 744 00:34:36,975 --> 00:34:37,875 It gets me going. 745 00:34:37,875 --> 00:34:38,835 I'm excited. 746 00:34:39,150 --> 00:34:39,600 Because why? 747 00:34:39,600 --> 00:34:40,480 We're grateful. 748 00:34:40,484 --> 00:34:41,520 God, you've done so much. 749 00:34:41,520 --> 00:34:45,510 God, I can't wait for the faith to become sight and have eternal life. 750 00:34:45,690 --> 00:34:49,380 And so it brings us joy again, no matter what the circumstance 751 00:34:49,380 --> 00:34:54,779 is, it could be spiritually and mostly reigning all around us. 752 00:34:55,230 --> 00:34:59,490 But because I look back and I look forward, I now have joy 753 00:34:59,550 --> 00:35:04,380 in the midst of the moments and that joy could be sustained. 754 00:35:06,779 --> 00:35:08,640 So what should we do in response to this? 755 00:35:08,645 --> 00:35:09,480 Well, I think it's easy. 756 00:35:09,484 --> 00:35:10,890 Let's look back and look forward. 757 00:35:11,940 --> 00:35:15,930 Let's look back and let's look forward because that will help us to remain 758 00:35:15,960 --> 00:35:22,609 in Christ that will help us to in our relationship with God Almighty. 759 00:35:23,130 --> 00:35:27,120 And this will help us to make the right choice to keep his commands in the 760 00:35:27,120 --> 00:35:31,230 moments you see when we're thinking of what we've been forgiving of. 761 00:35:31,230 --> 00:35:34,710 Man, I don't wanna commit that same sinny mistake anymore. 762 00:35:35,355 --> 00:35:39,855 When I know what I'm going toward, man, I want to do what's right now. 763 00:35:41,505 --> 00:35:46,785 And so we have this joy, we remain in the vine and we keep his commands and we have 764 00:35:46,785 --> 00:35:50,595 this cool cycle that starts to take place. 765 00:35:51,645 --> 00:35:54,405 So we need to look back and we need to look forward. 766 00:35:54,705 --> 00:35:58,755 So let's get real practical action steps this week, not, not this month, 767 00:35:58,755 --> 00:36:02,565 not, hey, maybe brothers and sisters, I want to call you to write this down. 768 00:36:02,565 --> 00:36:05,565 Take a picture, whatever it is that you do, whatever's your flavor there. 769 00:36:05,625 --> 00:36:07,935 And I want you to go ahead and join me in this. 770 00:36:08,295 --> 00:36:11,865 And first off, the first thing is to meditate on the forgiveness of 771 00:36:11,870 --> 00:36:13,485 sins and second coming of Jesus. 772 00:36:14,895 --> 00:36:17,925 Just one day this week, one day this week. 773 00:36:18,315 --> 00:36:22,215 Just go ahead and have some time in which you meditate, you, thank you, reflect upon 774 00:36:22,605 --> 00:36:27,735 all that you've been forgiven of and all that you will enjoy when Jesus comes back. 775 00:36:30,285 --> 00:36:32,205 And then secondly, join me in this. 776 00:36:32,355 --> 00:36:34,935 Let's pray every day, just this week, not asking, pray for the rest 777 00:36:34,935 --> 00:36:38,355 of your life this, but every day, this week for the church family, us 778 00:36:38,359 --> 00:36:44,535 right in here to become people of joy by remaining in Jesus Christ. 779 00:36:45,225 --> 00:36:50,955 We're praying for all of us, not just individuals, but that all of us can truly 780 00:36:50,955 --> 00:36:54,194 experience and become people of joy. 781 00:36:54,645 --> 00:36:59,325 So maybe you need to put that in as a, as a, a, a reminder on your phone there, 782 00:36:59,325 --> 00:37:02,415 or whatever the case is, maybe have a prayer app or whatever you need to do. 783 00:37:02,595 --> 00:37:08,505 But let's pray for all of us to experience and to become the people 784 00:37:08,505 --> 00:37:11,984 of joy by remaining in Christ. 785 00:37:12,435 --> 00:37:15,615 And if you're visiting here with us, whether you're online or you're here today 786 00:37:15,665 --> 00:37:19,904 and, and you're not sure if you are in Christ, I wanna encourage you today set 787 00:37:19,910 --> 00:37:23,595 up a time to study the Bible so you can understand what does it mean and how do 788 00:37:23,595 --> 00:37:26,774 I actually become a person in Christ. 789 00:37:27,345 --> 00:37:28,995 How do I get this forgiveness of sin? 790 00:37:29,895 --> 00:37:33,315 And how can I experience this joy that was mentioned today? 791 00:37:34,335 --> 00:37:35,655 Right now we're gonna take communion. 792 00:37:36,375 --> 00:37:39,725 This is where we take the emblems representing Jesus', sacrifice 793 00:37:39,730 --> 00:37:42,855 upon the cross, the juice, and the bread representing this blood and 794 00:37:42,860 --> 00:37:45,015 this body that was broken for us. 795 00:37:45,375 --> 00:37:48,675 And as we take this, we can remember the joy and the opportunity that 796 00:37:48,675 --> 00:37:50,805 we have to become people of joy. 797 00:37:51,345 --> 00:37:53,535 And that this joy is not happiness. 798 00:37:53,535 --> 00:37:56,475 This joy is divine joy. 799 00:37:57,345 --> 00:38:01,275 And that all of this joy, all of this peace, all of this hope comes 800 00:38:01,280 --> 00:38:06,435 through the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. 801 00:38:06,825 --> 00:38:12,375 It says in Hebrews nine, verse 28, just as people are destined to die 802 00:38:12,375 --> 00:38:14,295 once and after that to face judgment. 803 00:38:14,505 --> 00:38:20,565 So Christ was sacrifice once to take away the sins of many and he will appear 804 00:38:20,565 --> 00:38:26,175 a second time not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting. 805 00:38:26,460 --> 00:38:28,049 For him. 806 00:38:28,859 --> 00:38:29,429 Let's pray. 807 00:38:30,240 --> 00:38:34,410 Father in heaven, thank you so much for Jesus. 808 00:38:34,649 --> 00:38:35,700 Got all that we have. 809 00:38:35,700 --> 00:38:39,179 All of us in the here who are in Christ Jesus, all of us who are in 810 00:38:39,179 --> 00:38:43,889 the vine got every single blessing we have is because of your son Jesus. 811 00:38:44,370 --> 00:38:47,129 Thank you for your plan of salvation. 812 00:38:47,669 --> 00:38:51,179 Thank you that now your spirit dwells within us. 813 00:38:51,569 --> 00:38:56,879 God, that we can have the hope, that we can have the peace, that we can 814 00:38:56,879 --> 00:39:00,210 have the joy that comes from you. 815 00:39:00,990 --> 00:39:05,460 And God, we know that it came at a cost Father, in order for us to have 816 00:39:05,460 --> 00:39:09,450 all of our sins forgiven and came at the cost of Jesus dying on the cross. 817 00:39:09,540 --> 00:39:11,919 And God, we are humbled and we are grateful. 818 00:39:12,750 --> 00:39:16,559 And God, we're so grateful that the hope comes from the resurrection of 819 00:39:16,559 --> 00:39:18,870 Jesus, him raising from the dead. 820 00:39:18,875 --> 00:39:22,500 Now that we have hope in two one day, we will raise and be with you. 821 00:39:23,580 --> 00:39:25,799 And so God, we are so thankful. 822 00:39:26,535 --> 00:39:30,075 That Jesus chose, that he persevered, that he was sinless 823 00:39:30,555 --> 00:39:31,845 and that he followed your will. 824 00:39:32,475 --> 00:39:38,165 God, may we follow his example following your will grateful, 825 00:39:38,325 --> 00:39:45,235 humbled, and be united with you in the moments before everlasting. 826 00:39:46,265 --> 00:39:47,435 It's in the name of Jesus.