When we ask ourselves that basic of all questions, "What am I doing here" we judge the responses based on our instinctive desire to find joy. For example, if I say I'm here to work and build a comfortable life for myself, that answer is evaluated by this standard - "ok, but will that bring me joy (or you may call it satisfaction, contentment, peace, etc.) If it doesn't, then it is just a means to finding joy, or we've been deceived into thinking it's the real deal. This story should clear things up a bit. There is a story in Luke 7:37-50, where Jesus encounters a woman so filled with joy that is overflows in a flood of tear and humility. She's got the real deal, but where did it come from, how did she find it, and what makes her story so special? Her life is sharply contrasted to another man who thinks he's found the meaning of life, but has not. Simon is a Pharisee who is indifferent about experiencing joy that would upset the status quo to which he's grown accustomed. David White is quoted as saying, "Inside everyone is a great shout of joy waiting to be birthed." I like that quote because true joy is filled with potential, opportunity, hope, miracle and wonder. Why is Simon, a Pharisee, so selfish? He’s not convinced that God is the Best Giver. He still thinks of God as Divine Judge and himself as prosecuting attorney. He thinks God only taxes and exacts, takes and rakes. So, the Pharisee looks out for numero uno, and of course that means having standards. He protects his own interests. He plans and strategizes to be sure his standard of living (what an abominable phrase when our Lord had no place to lay His head!) is secure. He does all this because he doesn’t believe 2 Cor. 9:6-11. He doesn’t believe or trust the generosity of God revealed in the word. He believes the scarcity that whispers in his ear and has taken root in his soul. He believes in the power of position, cash and influence more than the riches of God’s grace. So he grows tight-fisted, self-centered, safe-playing, and small. Is there a Pharisee in you, perhaps just a seed? Why is he so at home in a theological understanding and history so plentiful in sacrifice, radical generosity, and selfless love? How could he celebrate Passover year after year without letting the message of sacrifice, protection and mercy seeping into his spiritual life? Again, he won’t be at home if his theology, history, etc. leads him to the living Lord who though He was rich became poor for our sakes. That’s a Lord the selfish Pharisee could never countenance. He has chosen a god of his own making, he’s made himself an idol.

How do we find Gospel Joy

(1) Be Aware of your place before God Simon: Blind conceited, cautious, callous Woman: Aware excluded, branded, broken, desperate

If you find you are becoming more aware of other’s faults, shortcoming and sins than you are your own, you are walking away from Joy.

(2) Be overwhelmed by the willingness of God to love you

“You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.” Matt 5:3 Msg

(3) Have Faith - means to live beyond merits, metrics and measures

"Your Faith as saved you. Go in Peace."

THINK IT THROUGH

Can you love a God who forgives, restores and protects sinners?
Is your response to Jesus appropriate for what He has done?
Is your giving controlled and carefully measured or an emotional expression of love and gratitude?
Is your relationship with Jesus more like that of Simon or the Woman?

Sermon Notes 05.12.12 Gospel Joy

Worship 05.13.12 Finding Joy

Gospel Joy 5.13.12L - Audio file

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I have known for years that Shakespeare wrote his plays for the ear not the eye…that he wrote his plays to be heard, not read. It was only recently, however, that I learned by reading William Barclay’s book “Introducing the Bible” that God’s Word was also written down with the intent for it to be heard in its reading as well as in its recitation by those proclaiming it in the synagogues and the churches.

For myself, I know that as many times as I read any of the Scriptures, even repeatedly read them — from one verse to entire books of the Bible — I glean a much deeper and clearer understanding of what God is saying if I hear it taught by a creditable and “bestest” teacher in a Bible study class and/or if I hear it explained and discussed by a creditable, knowledgeable, discerning, articulate, and wise pastor in a well-thought-out, well-organized, and thought-provoking sermon.

Perhaps it is the same for you.

This same premise — listen to, rather than and in addition to, the reading — at least to me, applies to the information contained in this blog.

As good as these written words are in capturing the “essence” of joy as differentiated from happiness, and as effective as these written words are in defining joy as “a shout inside of us waiting to be born” as displayed scripturally by the woman with her tears and the washing of Christ’s feet with her hair, if all you have done is read the written words and not heard the passionate and impassioned heart of the shepherd spoken and shared with his flock in the attached audio of the sermon, “Gospel of Joy,” then a dimension of your understanding of this Lukean story; the reason behind the pastor’s choosing to tell it, especially on Mother’s Day; and the message of the sermon will be unfortunately and regrettably missed and lost forever.

What spells credibility for some listeners is not the same for others. What captures the attention of some listeners is not the same for others. Besides and in addition to the depth of thought, insights, and unique perspectives offered in the sermon entitled the “Gospel of Joy,” I was drawn to it, held by it, and enlightened by it for a multitude of reasons, but primarily because of and by the 1) opening prayer, 2) the pastor’s sharing of numerous points with little or no repetiton except for the word ‘joy”, and 3) the pastor’s defining of joy in contrast with happiness while never mentioning the word “happiness” and/or defining it.

One of the most plaintive and succinct prayers ever written and/or spoken is located in Luke 18:13: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Oh, the depth of meaning, surrender, and self-recognition embodied in those seven words. Likewise indicative of surrender and self-recognition of the pastor offering it, was the opening prayer to this sermon. Realizing, I believe, that the congregants would rather hear “warm fuzzies” about how God wants everyone to be “happy” so, therefore, whatever makes you “happy” is okay with God, the pastor admits that only God’s Spirit can “open eyes to see and ears to hear”; and he surrenders himself, his message, and his congregation to God as he prays, “God, help us …I need help telling this message, and they need help hearing and understanding it.”

Credibility in this pastor’s humility, honesty, heart, and dependence on Omnipotent God? …most assuredly.

Credibility in his message because of his lack of arrogance and self-righteousness as well as his admission of his human limitations? …most assuredly.

I would never have seen it on my own, but through the eyes and heart of this servant-pastor, who always reminds others of the need and responsibility to “love by serving,” I saw and was once again amazed at the multiplicity of meanings and messages inherent in Jesus’ stories and parables in the New Testament. I am not surprised that the story of the woman washing and drying Christ’s feet with her tears and her hair is found in Luke; for so, too, and only in that book, will you find the story of the Prodigal Son. In both, the protagonist is really not the protagonist — in the Prodigal Son, the younger brother is not really the protagonist, although he appears to be since the story is primarily about him and the choices he made. The same holds true for the woman whose sins Christ forgives — although the story appears to be about her and the choices she has made, she is not the protagonist. In both stories, the protagonist is God. Why? Because in both stories, God is using the younger brother and the woman to offer the older brother and Simon a chance and a choice; just like He does us — sometimes directly and sometimes through and because of others. And so, through these two stories, God shows us that we can and do serve Him when we knowingly and unknowingly choose and are chosen by Him to be His instruments. Am I wise enough to perceive such thoughts on my own? Oh, my, no! How then am I able to write what I wrote above? …because of the Spirit and by listening to and because of the creditable words and thoughts of a knowledgeable and wise pastor, who chooses to teach and preach God’s Truth, rather than platitudes and “warm fuzzies.”

With which would you rather have your life filled minute-by-minute, day-by-day? Happiness or joy? And if you choose happiness with the belief that, because God is a loving God Who wants you to be happy, where then are you left in your relationship with and your understanding of God when tragedy strikes your life, let’s say, when you are diagnosed with cancer? Do you then turn on Him and believe that God hates you? Do you then turn on Him and believe that God is punishing you? Do you then turn on Him and believe that God doesn’t love you? What a miserable existence you will live if you choose happiness which, ironically, causes you to live in misery because you believe that God does not love you and has abandoned you.

Choose joy, as the pastor points out in his sermon; and you will be filled with a peace and heart-knowledge that enables and allows you to know that even in the toughest of times, “God delights in you,” “God loves you,” and God is ever-present with you.

…so…how ’bout you? Which do you choose? Happiness, which, I believe to be temporary, fleeting, and transient? Or joy which, in contrast, is permanently supplied by God’s presence and peace because, as is affirmed so frequently throughout the Bible, especially in the New Testament — “[your] faith has saved you; go in peace”?

…and…once again, how do I know this? …the Spirit and a creditable, knowledgeable, and wise teaching and preaching pastor.

Before I began writing this response, I consulted Webster. I wanted to see if there is a distinct difference between “joy” and “happiness” or if there is just a nuance of difference. There is a distinct difference between the two…a difference that the pastor proclaims by preaching and teaching God’s Truth concerning the joy which He wants all His children to know and experience so that they will not only be filled with that “shout of joy waiting inside to be birthed” but so that they will choose to “shout it” and share it with all the world.

Would I, on my own, have known that there is a difference between joy and happiness, let alone have a desire to consult Webster in search of the definitions of both words? No.

Would I, on my own, know that it is joy along with its accompanying peace rather than happiness that I should request in my prayers for others as well as myself? No.

…and…once again, how do I know this? …the Spirit and a creditable, knowledgeable, and wise teaching and preaching pastor.

Perhaps, it is overly simplistic and even misplaced for me to liken joy to “grace” and happiness to “works” and, therefore, then draw the appropriate comparison between that which is given by God and that which is earned by man and then continue to suggest that joy is “an unearned and unmerited gift from God given by Him to each of us because of our faith”…but…consider Webster’s offerings:

Happiness — “…happens by means of chance or fate; happiness happens to a person by chance”; and, I would add,…it is man-made…created by us, by our “works”…not given, but earned, not given, but created….

Joy — “…joy is a source of delight; it lies underneath all emotions no matter what happens to the person”…it is a spark that lies within us…a spark that, as the pastor says, is a “shout inside of us just waiting to be birthed, waiting to burst forth”…a spark that, because of our faith in Christ as our Savior and our living as a “new creation in Christ,” becomes not only a light that sustains because of its peace but also a light that demands and must be shared with others; for such joy is a gift given by God with the intention that it be given away.

Which do you choose?

You realize it is a choice, and you are the one responsible for making it.

In the Prodigal Son, are you the younger brother and/or the father; or are you the older brother? In reference to the story of the woman with the alabaster jar, are you the woman or the Pharisee?

Your choice!

One Comment

Cyndy
May 21, 2012 at 9:06 am

I have known for years that Shakespeare wrote his plays for the ear not the eye…that he wrote his plays to be heard, not read. It was only recently, however, that I learned by reading William Barclay’s book “Introducing the Bible” that God’s Word was also written down with the intent for it to be heard in its reading as well as in its recitation by those proclaiming it in the synagogues and the churches.

For myself, I know that as many times as I read any of the Scriptures, even repeatedly read them — from one verse to entire books of the Bible — I glean a much deeper and clearer understanding of what God is saying if I hear it taught by a creditable and “bestest” teacher in a Bible study class and/or if I hear it explained and discussed by a creditable, knowledgeable, discerning, articulate, and wise pastor in a well-thought-out, well-organized, and thought-provoking sermon.

Perhaps it is the same for you.

This same premise — listen to, rather than and in addition to, the reading — at least to me, applies to the information contained in this blog.

As good as these written words are in capturing the “essence” of joy as differentiated from happiness, and as effective as these written words are in defining joy as “a shout inside of us waiting to be born” as displayed scripturally by the woman with her tears and the washing of Christ’s feet with her hair, if all you have done is read the written words and not heard the passionate and impassioned heart of the shepherd spoken and shared with his flock in the attached audio of the sermon, “Gospel of Joy,” then a dimension of your understanding of this Lukean story; the reason behind the pastor’s choosing to tell it, especially on Mother’s Day; and the message of the sermon will be unfortunately and regrettably missed and lost forever.

What spells credibility for some listeners is not the same for others. What captures the attention of some listeners is not the same for others. Besides and in addition to the depth of thought, insights, and unique perspectives offered in the sermon entitled the “Gospel of Joy,” I was drawn to it, held by it, and enlightened by it for a multitude of reasons, but primarily because of and by the 1) opening prayer, 2) the pastor’s sharing of numerous points with little or no repetiton except for the word ‘joy”, and 3) the pastor’s defining of joy in contrast with happiness while never mentioning the word “happiness” and/or defining it.

One of the most plaintive and succinct prayers ever written and/or spoken is located in Luke 18:13: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Oh, the depth of meaning, surrender, and self-recognition embodied in those seven words. Likewise indicative of surrender and self-recognition of the pastor offering it, was the opening prayer to this sermon. Realizing, I believe, that the congregants would rather hear “warm fuzzies” about how God wants everyone to be “happy” so, therefore, whatever makes you “happy” is okay with God, the pastor admits that only God’s Spirit can “open eyes to see and ears to hear”; and he surrenders himself, his message, and his congregation to God as he prays, “God, help us …I need help telling this message, and they need help hearing and understanding it.”

Credibility in this pastor’s humility, honesty, heart, and dependence on Omnipotent God? …most assuredly.

Credibility in his message because of his lack of arrogance and self-righteousness as well as his admission of his human limitations? …most assuredly.

I would never have seen it on my own, but through the eyes and heart of this servant-pastor, who always reminds others of the need and responsibility to “love by serving,” I saw and was once again amazed at the multiplicity of meanings and messages inherent in Jesus’ stories and parables in the New Testament. I am not surprised that the story of the woman washing and drying Christ’s feet with her tears and her hair is found in Luke; for so, too, and only in that book, will you find the story of the Prodigal Son. In both, the protagonist is really not the protagonist — in the Prodigal Son, the younger brother is not really the protagonist, although he appears to be since the story is primarily about him and the choices he made. The same holds true for the woman whose sins Christ forgives — although the story appears to be about her and the choices she has made, she is not the protagonist. In both stories, the protagonist is God. Why? Because in both stories, God is using the younger brother and the woman to offer the older brother and Simon a chance and a choice; just like He does us — sometimes directly and sometimes through and because of others. And so, through these two stories, God shows us that we can and do serve Him when we knowingly and unknowingly choose and are chosen by Him to be His instruments. Am I wise enough to perceive such thoughts on my own? Oh, my, no! How then am I able to write what I wrote above? …because of the Spirit and by listening to and because of the creditable words and thoughts of a knowledgeable and wise pastor, who chooses to teach and preach God’s Truth, rather than platitudes and “warm fuzzies.”

With which would you rather have your life filled minute-by-minute, day-by-day? Happiness or joy? And if you choose happiness with the belief that, because God is a loving God Who wants you to be happy, where then are you left in your relationship with and your understanding of God when tragedy strikes your life, let’s say, when you are diagnosed with cancer? Do you then turn on Him and believe that God hates you? Do you then turn on Him and believe that God is punishing you? Do you then turn on Him and believe that God doesn’t love you? What a miserable existence you will live if you choose happiness which, ironically, causes you to live in misery because you believe that God does not love you and has abandoned you.

Choose joy, as the pastor points out in his sermon; and you will be filled with a peace and heart-knowledge that enables and allows you to know that even in the toughest of times, “God delights in you,” “God loves you,” and God is ever-present with you.

…so…how ’bout you? Which do you choose? Happiness, which, I believe to be temporary, fleeting, and transient? Or joy which, in contrast, is permanently supplied by God’s presence and peace because, as is affirmed so frequently throughout the Bible, especially in the New Testament — “[your] faith has saved you; go in peace”?

…and…once again, how do I know this? …the Spirit and a creditable, knowledgeable, and wise teaching and preaching pastor.

Before I began writing this response, I consulted Webster. I wanted to see if there is a distinct difference between “joy” and “happiness” or if there is just a nuance of difference. There is a distinct difference between the two…a difference that the pastor proclaims by preaching and teaching God’s Truth concerning the joy which He wants all His children to know and experience so that they will not only be filled with that “shout of joy waiting inside to be birthed” but so that they will choose to “shout it” and share it with all the world.

Would I, on my own, have known that there is a difference between joy and happiness, let alone have a desire to consult Webster in search of the definitions of both words? No.

Would I, on my own, know that it is joy along with its accompanying peace rather than happiness that I should request in my prayers for others as well as myself? No.

…and…once again, how do I know this? …the Spirit and a creditable, knowledgeable, and wise teaching and preaching pastor.

Perhaps, it is overly simplistic and even misplaced for me to liken joy to “grace” and happiness to “works” and, therefore, then draw the appropriate comparison between that which is given by God and that which is earned by man and then continue to suggest that joy is “an unearned and unmerited gift from God given by Him to each of us because of our faith”…but…consider Webster’s offerings:

Happiness — “…happens by means of chance or fate; happiness happens to a person by chance”; and, I would add,…it is man-made…created by us, by our “works”…not given, but earned, not given, but created….

Joy — “…joy is a source of delight; it lies underneath all emotions no matter what happens to the person”…it is a spark that lies within us…a spark that, as the pastor says, is a “shout inside of us just waiting to be birthed, waiting to burst forth”…a spark that, because of our faith in Christ as our Savior and our living as a “new creation in Christ,” becomes not only a light that sustains because of its peace but also a light that demands and must be shared with others; for such joy is a gift given by God with the intention that it be given away.

Which do you choose?

You realize it is a choice, and you are the one responsible for making it.

In the Prodigal Son, are you the younger brother and/or the father; or are you the older brother? In reference to the story of the woman with the alabaster jar, are you the woman or the Pharisee?

Your choice!

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