Teaching by: Pastor Jeff
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/ic70wqxri1Q
This Bible study will take us through a practical argument about experiencing the Joy of the Lord, or the Joy from the Lord.
Kick off Video: Matthew McConaughey Leaves The Audience SPEECHLESS
Matthew McConaughey may not know where he got this pearl of wisdom, but this is definately something that came from the Lord Jesus.
Questions to Write Down:
At you more interested in being happy? Or in the attainment of joy?
More in the avoidance of being sad? Or alleviating greif in your life?
Why did you choose Jesus?
Thoughts:
I think many people want "Santa Clause Jesus," Want "Quick Fix Jesus." "Come and Save Me Jesus." "I won the lottery Jesus."
Fewer people want the real Jesus. And that is why we are here tonight. Because when we give ourselves to the real Jesus, we become the type of a person that is willing to work harder, go through worse, and lean on Him with our sufferings.
But it isn't for not. Scripture tells us that this is how we receive Joy from the Lord.
Defining Terms
The book of Nehemiah tells us about the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple.
Chapter 1: Nehemiah prayed to God for provision.
Chapter 2: God moved the heart of King Artaxerxes who gave his permisson and provisions.
Chapter 3: Rebuilding began.
Chapter 4: Rebuilding we learn of the opposition and defending.
Chapter 5: We learn of Nehemiah providing provision and protection for the people.
Chapter 6: A legal coup attempts to intimidate and stall the building. But Nehemiah prays.
Chapter 7: The rebuilding is complete and the returned exiles are counted.
Chapger 8: The day of the Holy Lord is observed.
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”
Thoughts:
This was not fast. There was a lot to accomplish. It began and ended with God. But along the way there were obsticles of governmnet, long distance travel, resource dependencies, hard labor, threats of violence, legal challenges, and social instability. In each of these, God provided. Permission by the king, safe travel, gifted resources, health of workers, protection through self protection, legal favor, and social stabilization.
Ends of the emotional spectrum for this study:
Happy or Sad:
A feeling in immediate response to a new circumstance.
Responsive to something that just happened, good or bad.
Joy or Sorrow:
An emotional state threaded over an entrenched circumstance.
Exestential - affecting your deeper identity and existence - based on longer term conditions.
The Making of You
Questions to Write Down:
What did God make you made to do?
How do you know?
Made to Do
Most people that do what they love feel like a "fish in water" so to speak.
A worldly view relies on things like personality tests, intuitive skill sets, and experience to explain why this is the case.
A Godly view doesn't object to these things, but treats them as symptoms of your divine creation.
People called by God are often called outside of their comfort zone.
Moses complained about not being a great speaker (Exodus 4:10), so God sent Aaron with him.
Jesus chose seemingly average people to be his disciples. (Matthew 4:18-20)
Paul explained that because of the revelations given to him he was given a thorn in his flesh, a messanger of Satan. He pleaded with God to remove it, but was told God's power is made perfect in Paul's weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)
The Call of Jeremiah
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
We are Called to Work
As followers of Jesus we are called to work. The verses below are a few examples structuring a good work ethic, but are by no means the only verses.
Note that much of the work we are called to is spiritual work, that edifies us and grows us in His character. Nonetheless, God has set up many things that reflect both the spiritual and the physical. Each of us as a creation are perfect examples. We have a body (physical), a spirit (spiritual), and a soul that binds them together (spiritual).
All things we do with our body affect our soul. Setting to good work, fasting, exercising, eating, sex, and so on are all physical things that have spiritual impacts.
One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
Questions to Write Down:
Are you doing what God called you to do?
If so, do you need encouragement?
If not, what will you do to start your calling?
If you don't know, how will you find out?
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
We are Called to Serve Jesus
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. 15 “If you love me, keep my commands.
Questions to Write Down: What keeps you from serving Jesus?
What keeps you working for yourself or other people?
We are Called to Work for the Lord
So the argument here could be as follows. Let's discuss:
The Word of God tells us that we were made by God.
He made each of us unique, and for a purpose in His Kingdom.
When we receive Jesus, we make Him our Lord* and Savior.
Demonstrating Jesus as our Lord in our behavior means to be obedient to His commands.
The Scripture calls for us to work in a way that serves our Lord Jesus.
Questions to Write Down:
Can you change your persepctive, and maybe your work, so that you are serving Jesus?
What do you need to do to make that happen?
Benefits of Our Meaningful Work
Following Jesus will be hard at times. The Scripture promises that the world will hate us as it hated Him first (John 15:18-19). As we work for the Kingdom of God and call the Kingdom of Heaven into this world, the prince of the air and his army will be fighting us. We know Jesus has defeated sin and death, and the evil one. But despite the struggles, battles, and effort, there are some wonderful benefits of our work for our Lord Jesus!
I *CAN* Get Some Satisfaction
Mick Jagger may not get any satisfaction, but followers of Jesus are on a better plan. When we work in alignment with the skills and gifts our Lord has built into us, we naturally dovetail into His plan for our lives. The tangible feeling we experience this as a satisfying feeling of a job well done. And this is also pleasing to the Lord!
The Lord Provides
When we are working in alignment with His plan for our lives, He provides exactly what we need when we need it. This is a learned balance we will practice as we constantly recalibrate to His will not ours. The 'what' that is being provided can come in many forms, but when we receive these things they are signs that He is equiping us for the work at hand.
Room and Board
When you are in an army they feed you and give you a place to sleep. The Lord's army is no different. When we find good work where we employ the skills He has given us, we receive these things as well. And maturing into these things allows us to take care of our families as well.
Opportunities to Evangalize
The great commission (Matthew 28:19-20) doesn't happen in isolation. It begins (in the linked transaltion) "Therefore go..." If we don't go into the world, and demonstrate through love that we are apart from it, we will not have opportunities to spread the Gospel of Jesus! How to evangalize is another lesson. But one of the ways we get out there is by finding meaningful work.
Questions to Write Down:
Can you think of other benefits?
Are the benefits from the Lord enough to motivate you to serve the Lord as He has asked?
If not, why?
Final Thoughts and Prayer
It is a critical part of our walk with Jesus to find meaningful work. There are many benefits to us physically and spiritually, but also to the Kingdom.
Jesus, we pray that you enter in to our work life. Encourage us to work for you, even as we work in this world. Please give us opportunities to minister your Gospel. As we start small, may our relationship with you increase and may that relationship reflect to the world. In the Name of Jesus, amen!
Comments