WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.259 Okay, if you have met more than two people, you can sit down. 00:00:07.020 --> 00:00:08.019 How you guys doing? 00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:10.279 Wow, I didn't know. 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:12.419 How you doing? 00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:14.339 Good, okay, good, good, good. 00:00:15.080 --> 00:00:17.179 Well, we are Watermark Church. 00:00:17.260 --> 00:00:18.559 We've been here for a little over a year, 00:00:18.839 --> 00:00:23.719 and our focus is to let the glory of the Lord be known wherever he's put us 00:00:23.719 --> 00:00:28.900 and to never forget what it was like to know what it was like before we knew Christ 00:00:28.899 --> 00:00:30.979 to be out here to reach out to people. 00:00:31.500 --> 00:00:33.119 And we are a family-oriented church. 00:00:33.179 --> 00:00:36.159 What we mean by that is that there are singles and there's adults and there's kids 00:00:36.159 --> 00:00:37.739 and that all of them take place in worship. 00:00:38.239 --> 00:00:42.859 And I know as Carolyn up here, you have a 9-year-old, 11-year-old, and you're 18. 00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:47.060 So we had all age groups hit here, so that was really good. 00:00:47.140 --> 00:00:47.500 Thank you. 00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:50.480 Melissa, wherever you are, that was rocking. 00:00:50.640 --> 00:00:51.500 And Oscar, great job. 00:00:51.599 --> 00:00:53.820 So what I want to do is I want to bring the kiddos up 00:00:53.820 --> 00:00:56.859 and just do a little controlled chaos time here. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:00:59.719 So with the kids, come on up front, I want to talk to you about something. 00:01:00.500 --> 00:01:01.119 Come on up. 00:01:01.140 --> 00:01:02.280 I got a special treat for you. 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:09.739 Okay, come on. 00:01:09.760 --> 00:01:10.859 Just sit right around here, okay? 00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:14.560 How you guys doing? 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:19.500 Okay, so the big kids don't want to treat, huh? 00:01:20.400 --> 00:01:21.700 I'm talking to my kids. 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:27.480 Hey, guys, okay, I need your help because I'm getting old 00:01:27.480 --> 00:01:30.260 and my brain doesn't work all the time. 00:01:30.680 --> 00:01:31.520 So can you help me? 00:01:32.680 --> 00:01:33.240 Oh, come on. 00:01:33.260 --> 00:01:34.420 That doesn't sound very encouraging. 00:01:34.579 --> 00:01:35.000 Yes? 00:01:35.079 --> 00:01:35.260 Okay. 00:01:35.719 --> 00:01:37.320 Okay, so I need some help. 00:01:38.060 --> 00:01:39.540 What is tomorrow? 00:01:40.340 --> 00:01:40.900 Monday. 00:01:41.540 --> 00:01:42.379 Chinese New Year. 00:01:44.460 --> 00:01:46.560 Okay, we're some red and yellow people, very literal. 00:01:46.939 --> 00:01:47.640 What is tomorrow? 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:49.040 Chinese New Year. 00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:49.880 Oh, wow. 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:51.680 Okay, Chinese New Year is tomorrow. 00:01:52.060 --> 00:01:55.380 Can someone tell me something special that your family does at Chinese New Year? 00:01:56.640 --> 00:02:01.680 Meet and greet your uncles and aunties. 00:02:01.740 --> 00:02:02.140 What else? 00:02:06.740 --> 00:02:07.660 Wow, did you hear that? 00:02:07.700 --> 00:02:11.080 We go to restaurants and random old people give us lycees. 00:02:11.080 --> 00:02:18.240 So if there's any random old people here today, you need to meet these kids in the restaurant. 00:02:18.360 --> 00:02:19.060 Anything else? 00:02:19.420 --> 00:02:21.500 What do you guys do for Chinese New Year? 00:02:23.720 --> 00:02:23.980 Huh? 00:02:24.200 --> 00:02:24.300 Huh? 00:02:25.920 --> 00:02:27.240 Okay, translate that for me. 00:02:28.660 --> 00:02:29.360 Eat food? 00:02:30.200 --> 00:02:30.500 Okay. 00:02:30.720 --> 00:02:32.060 I need your help something else. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:33.640 Do what? 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:36.140 Chicken leg baby. 00:02:36.139 --> 00:02:36.539 Okay. 00:02:37.159 --> 00:02:37.519 Okay. 00:02:37.939 --> 00:02:39.819 Can you guys tell me what this is? 00:02:40.759 --> 00:02:41.339 Red packet. 00:02:41.719 --> 00:02:42.479 Lycee. 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:44.079 Lycee. 00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:48.079 Now, we're not going to give out a lycee today because that would be illegal. 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:52.439 So next week, we'll give out lycees next week, right? 00:02:52.619 --> 00:02:54.939 But does anybody know what this character means right here? 00:02:55.619 --> 00:02:56.179 Lycee. 00:02:56.539 --> 00:02:56.939 No. 00:02:58.399 --> 00:02:58.799 No. 00:02:59.879 --> 00:03:00.279 Anyone? 00:03:00.399 --> 00:03:01.000 Ready New Year. 00:03:01.279 --> 00:03:01.679 No. 00:03:03.599 --> 00:03:04.359 Red packet. 00:03:04.719 --> 00:03:05.519 Red packet. 00:03:06.300 --> 00:03:06.480 What? 00:03:09.060 --> 00:03:09.420 Okay. 00:03:09.640 --> 00:03:10.060 What else? 00:03:13.020 --> 00:03:14.420 People want Santa Claus to come. 00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:14.620 Yeah. 00:03:15.160 --> 00:03:15.780 There's a mixture. 00:03:16.140 --> 00:03:16.340 Okay. 00:03:16.460 --> 00:03:17.439 So this, Melissa. 00:03:19.040 --> 00:03:19.439 Prosperity. 00:03:19.560 --> 00:03:21.320 And it means, right, Christopher. 00:03:21.420 --> 00:03:22.200 And it means blessing. 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:25.420 And so when we give this to people, we want to give them blessings. 00:03:26.140 --> 00:03:27.080 So let me ask you a question. 00:03:27.640 --> 00:03:33.300 Do you know what the Bible says is the greatest blessing that God wants to give us? 00:03:33.300 --> 00:03:34.100 Jesus. 00:03:34.760 --> 00:03:35.160 Jesus. 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:35.939 What else? 00:03:37.300 --> 00:03:37.980 Is there anything else? 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:39.400 Gabriel. 00:03:40.040 --> 00:03:40.400 God. 00:03:40.520 --> 00:03:40.800 Right. 00:03:40.880 --> 00:03:41.080 Right. 00:03:41.080 --> 00:03:41.120 Right. 00:03:41.320 --> 00:03:45.000 You know, the Bible says that God, the greatest blessing he wants to give us is his son, Jesus. 00:03:45.640 --> 00:03:47.000 And he tells us this thing right here. 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:48.599 And we're going to talk about it as adults today. 00:03:49.219 --> 00:03:55.099 He says the greatest blessing we can have is there's a book like this in heaven. 00:03:55.879 --> 00:03:56.740 Did you know that? 00:03:57.439 --> 00:03:58.900 There's a book like this in heaven. 00:03:59.319 --> 00:04:00.419 God lent it to me today. 00:04:01.139 --> 00:04:01.360 Okay. 00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:07.420 But the book in heaven has all of God's children's name on it. 00:04:08.440 --> 00:04:11.960 And so if you're a child of God, your name is in this book. 00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:16.420 And that means that you will never be separated from God. 00:04:17.080 --> 00:04:18.800 That you're always part of his family. 00:04:19.620 --> 00:04:24.980 So the Bible says that this is the greatest blessing, getting our name in this book. 00:04:25.280 --> 00:04:26.699 How do we get our name in this book? 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:29.459 Look, you said it, Jesus. 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:30.339 You're right. 00:04:30.719 --> 00:04:37.800 And so we want to talk and worship and tell our friends about Jesus so they can get their names in that book also. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:38.120 Right? 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:39.779 Okay. 00:04:39.839 --> 00:04:40.740 Let me pray for us. 00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:41.939 Will you join me in a prayer? 00:04:43.319 --> 00:04:44.099 Will you pray with me? 00:04:44.699 --> 00:04:46.399 I'll pray and you can repeat after me. 00:04:46.480 --> 00:04:46.719 Okay. 00:04:47.120 --> 00:04:47.599 Let's pray. 00:04:48.079 --> 00:04:52.319 Dear Jesus, thank you that you love us. 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:55.919 Thank you that you take care of us. 00:04:56.699 --> 00:05:00.079 Thank you for blessing us with your son. 00:05:03.019 --> 00:05:09.240 Help us to bless our friends by telling them about Jesus. 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:13.120 We love you. 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:14.919 Amen. 00:05:15.919 --> 00:05:16.240 Okay. 00:05:16.339 --> 00:05:20.139 Now, you know what the second greatest blessing is, I think? 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:22.060 What is it? 00:05:22.060 --> 00:05:22.639 You know what it is? 00:05:24.980 --> 00:05:25.419 Chocolate. 00:05:26.699 --> 00:05:27.139 Candy. 00:05:27.860 --> 00:05:28.339 Candy. 00:05:28.860 --> 00:05:30.680 So I have a lot of candy here. 00:05:30.899 --> 00:05:33.120 So you guys get to go to class. 00:05:34.339 --> 00:05:35.740 There's Tootsie Rolls. 00:05:35.800 --> 00:05:36.659 There's gum droppers. 00:05:36.779 --> 00:05:37.459 There's everything. 00:05:37.939 --> 00:05:40.039 And so you guys go to class. 00:05:40.759 --> 00:05:41.240 Everything. 00:05:44.159 --> 00:05:44.639 No. 00:05:44.860 --> 00:05:46.000 We'll get that next time. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:46.740 Okay. 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:47.899 Okay. 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:49.600 So you guys are dismissed. 00:05:50.000 --> 00:05:51.819 And the teachers are going to go to class. 00:05:51.959 --> 00:05:54.959 And we'll pass you the second blessing of candies. 00:05:55.160 --> 00:05:55.519 Okay? 00:05:56.139 --> 00:05:56.579 Okay. 00:05:56.660 --> 00:05:57.500 See you guys later. 00:05:58.139 --> 00:05:58.540 Okay. 00:05:58.600 --> 00:05:59.220 Go to class. 00:05:59.779 --> 00:05:59.939 Candy. 00:05:59.939 --> 00:06:00.079 Yeah. 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:00.199 Yeah. 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:00.240 Yeah. 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:00.379 Yeah. 00:06:02.540 --> 00:06:06.100 The scripture reading today comes from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 10. 00:06:06.279 --> 00:06:07.719 Please follow along in your bulletin. 00:06:07.720 --> 00:06:14.180 The 70 returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name. 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:18.200 And he said to them, I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:24.200 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power 00:06:24.200 --> 00:06:26.540 of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:31.600 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:33.660 that your names are recorded in heaven. 00:06:34.460 --> 00:06:39.660 At that very time, he rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit and said, I praise you, O Father, 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:44.939 Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:46.400 have revealed them to infants. 00:06:46.960 --> 00:06:50.740 Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in your sight. 00:06:50.740 --> 00:06:57.079 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except 00:06:57.079 --> 00:07:02.480 the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills 00:07:02.480 --> 00:07:03.379 to reveal him. 00:07:04.259 --> 00:07:09.340 Turning to the disciples, he said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things you 00:07:09.340 --> 00:07:14.199 see, for I say to you that many prophets and kings wish to see the things which you 00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:19.319 see and do not see them, and to hear the things which you hear and do not hear them. 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:21.099 This is the reading of God's Word. 00:07:23.500 --> 00:07:25.219 My Jesus is real. 00:07:26.459 --> 00:07:27.920 My Jesus is plastic. 00:07:29.659 --> 00:07:34.819 It's interesting that as the older you get and you walk with God, you realize how to decipher 00:07:34.819 --> 00:07:36.180 things people say. 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:41.480 You learn to understand what they really mean when they say certain things. 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:47.379 As in studying medicine, one of the things I realize is that often people live lives like 00:07:47.379 --> 00:07:47.959 this guy. 00:07:49.719 --> 00:07:54.819 If you were to ask them about joy in their life or happiness, even as being a Christian, 00:07:54.939 --> 00:07:57.120 they would say that it's pretty much non-existent. 00:07:58.060 --> 00:08:03.659 That they do the things they think they're supposed to do, but nothing really changes in their life, 00:08:03.699 --> 00:08:07.500 and they wonder if they're doing the right things and why they don't feel joy and happiness 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:08.500 in their life. 00:08:10.279 --> 00:08:16.680 Working in the trauma unit, what I realized pretty quickly was that people were not joyful, 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:23.120 and the most prescribed drug that we often prescribe to people when they came walking into the ER 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:25.040 was an antidepressant. 00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:32.480 And the longer I worked in the trauma unit, the more antidepressants I prescribed or saw the doctors prescribe. 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:40.879 You know that in the UK today, $4 billion this year are going to be spent on antidepressants. 00:08:41.879 --> 00:08:44.539 I mean, it's the most prescribed drug in the UK. 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:50.680 And in America, it's even more because they were told that America is this culture of pill addicts. 00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:58.220 So billions and billions and billions of dollars go into it as people search for joy and things in their life 00:08:58.220 --> 00:09:03.379 to have meaning, and they find no meaning, and they become joyless. 00:09:04.420 --> 00:09:08.680 It's interesting, I've been told by my friends who work in the healthcare system in Hong Kong 00:09:08.680 --> 00:09:16.560 that depression and lack of joy and lack of happiness is one of the leading things they see as people come to them. 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:20.899 And that the prescription for antidepressants is going out of the roof. 00:09:20.899 --> 00:09:32.740 And the thing that depresses me about all of that is that when they tell me that the age group that is using these pills the most 00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:36.919 and they see the largest increase is in elementary school kids. 00:09:39.019 --> 00:09:42.799 Because the kids look at their life and they look at their future and they look at their families 00:09:42.799 --> 00:09:47.039 and they see no joy and they see no hope. 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:54.379 So we're going to talk about joy today in this passage, which I think is seminal for us as Christians. 00:09:55.279 --> 00:09:59.459 But I want to do it by asking a couple questions on joy. 00:10:00.219 --> 00:10:01.740 The first one begins like this. 00:10:01.839 --> 00:10:03.139 What brings you joy today? 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:11.980 I mean, what would need to happen in your life for you to feel extreme happiness and joy? 00:10:12.059 --> 00:10:14.819 What would make you the happiest right now? 00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:21.900 Because the Bible says that what brings us joy and what brings us happiness often reveals our true values. 00:10:23.820 --> 00:10:26.420 And sometimes those things are our functional saviors. 00:10:26.540 --> 00:10:30.200 We look for those things to give our lives meaning and purpose and trust. 00:10:31.520 --> 00:10:33.780 So what brings you joy today? 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:37.820 Do you find joy in temporal things? 00:10:39.400 --> 00:10:40.860 In temporary things? 00:10:41.920 --> 00:10:43.960 Things that are here today and gone tomorrow? 00:10:45.680 --> 00:10:47.660 Or do you find joy in eternal things? 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:52.700 What brings you joy? 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:55.420 What would bring you the most joy? 00:10:55.680 --> 00:11:00.680 A massive bonus, a raise, a new job position, the car of your choice, the watch of your choice? 00:11:01.800 --> 00:11:04.340 Or a friend coming to faith and becoming a Christian? 00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:08.720 What would bring you the most joy? 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:11.860 Your kid getting into the right preschool, the right Ivy League school? 00:11:12.500 --> 00:11:18.060 Or your kid coming home from youth group this week and saying that they had made a decision to invite Jesus Christ into their life. 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:20.840 And they want to do a Bible study in your home or in your office. 00:11:21.320 --> 00:11:23.600 And oh yeah, by the way, they're thinking about becoming missionaries. 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:26.440 But be honest. 00:11:29.940 --> 00:11:31.259 What would bring you the most joy? 00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:36.340 That incredible raise, that incredible new job title, that new car, that watch? 00:11:36.340 --> 00:11:41.800 Or hearing that your worst enemy came to Christ. 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:45.180 And realized that their life was out of control. 00:11:46.139 --> 00:11:47.960 And they invited Jesus into their life. 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:51.879 What would bring you more joy? 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:55.720 The passage today is full of joy. 00:11:56.059 --> 00:11:58.000 I mean, it is seminal in what this talks about. 00:11:58.320 --> 00:12:06.019 And it's all about us finding joy, how we lose our joy, and how we keep our joy. 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:14.080 So I want to take a really brief look at this and talk about this for us today in this antidepressant, drug-induced world that we live in. 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:15.840 What does the Bible say about joy? 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:22.340 Because the passage that Andrew read is the only passage in the New Testament where it says that Jesus was overcome with joy. 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:27.680 It's the only time it's ever said that he was out of control with joy. 00:12:29.180 --> 00:12:32.920 And so what I want to do is I want to look at it and see what made him out of control with joy. 00:12:33.040 --> 00:12:36.160 What was it that he was giving high fives to all his disciples? 00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:38.519 Now remember last week we talked about the mission. 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:40.639 Because we're in Luke. 00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:42.800 Luke chapter 10, verse 17. 00:12:43.040 --> 00:12:45.540 Last week we did Luke chapter 10, verse 1 through 16. 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:48.220 And Jesus sends his disciples out on this mission. 00:12:49.180 --> 00:12:51.820 We talked about how he sends you and I out on this mission. 00:12:52.200 --> 00:12:56.399 And remember before they went out to the mission, he talked to them about there's a world out there. 00:12:56.460 --> 00:12:58.740 There's this harvest that was ripe for the picking. 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:03.620 And what he said in the Greek was basically that there were people who needed to hear about God. 00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:04.940 Their hearts were right. 00:13:05.160 --> 00:13:06.680 They needed to hear the gospel message. 00:13:06.679 --> 00:13:16.159 And when we talk about the gospel message, we say that the gospel is basically turning to God for forgiveness through Jesus Christ. 00:13:17.599 --> 00:13:25.099 We said that the gospel message is basically everyone realizing that before God we haven't lived a life that is pleasing to God. 00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:33.220 And coming before him and embracing the forgiveness and relationship that he gives us through his son Jesus Christ. 00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:38.840 We said that the gospel is that God saves broken people. 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:41.580 That God saves sinners. 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:44.019 And so his disciples go out on this mission. 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:45.700 And remember the distinctness of the mission. 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:47.720 He said it's going to be really, really hard. 00:13:48.040 --> 00:13:48.940 He said there's going to be difficulties. 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:51.100 He said there's going to be sheep among wolves. 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:57.540 He's going to tell them, you know, if you just went ahead and planted churches or planted hospitals and planted universities. 00:13:57.700 --> 00:14:03.060 And you taught people that religion was about doing this and doing that and being good and working hard. 00:14:03.300 --> 00:14:05.600 And if you did all these things at the end, there was this total box. 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.879 And everything would be okay. 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:07.899 And everyone gets to heaven. 00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:11.480 He said if the church said those things, everyone would love us. 00:14:14.680 --> 00:14:19.700 But he says because we preach the gospel, which isn't sexy. 00:14:19.700 --> 00:14:22.420 And we say things like grace. 00:14:24.820 --> 00:14:26.759 And we say things like helplessness. 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.460 And we say things like need. 00:14:30.540 --> 00:14:31.940 And we say things like darkness. 00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:34.440 And we say things like out of control. 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:37.220 And we say things like Jesus is the only way. 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:40.360 Because we say these things, people are going to hate us. 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:52.080 And when you preach this message to the people around you, often you end up risking everything. 00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:59.899 Jesus tells his disciples, hey, it's going to be hard, but you're going to go out and you're going to see amazing things. 00:14:59.940 --> 00:15:01.960 He said that you're ambassadors and you have this message. 00:15:02.039 --> 00:15:02.919 And the message is the gospel. 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:04.180 And the message is power. 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:05.080 And the message is life. 00:15:05.279 --> 00:15:07.000 And everyone needs to hear this message. 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:07.399 Everyone. 00:15:08.919 --> 00:15:09.200 Everyone. 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:13.100 And as an ambassador, I want you going out and I want you sharing these things to the people. 00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:15.600 Because you are my representative. 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:19.980 And Jesus warns throughout the passage we talked about last week. 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:23.200 He warns of hardships, difficulties, sacrifices, judgment. 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:29.820 And you would expect after you heard this passage, I mean, you're probably, if you hadn't heard the message, you're warning everybody just left. 00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:34.660 I mean, it's kind of like you have this family trip. 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:36.120 You need, you have to go on. 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:38.160 You have to go on it. 00:15:38.180 --> 00:15:40.040 And you're in your mind, you're thinking, oh, this is going to be terrible. 00:15:40.140 --> 00:15:40.980 If I can just gut it through. 00:15:41.060 --> 00:15:42.060 And once I get through, it'll be okay. 00:15:42.140 --> 00:15:42.780 Then I'll be free. 00:15:43.400 --> 00:15:44.420 Because it's going to be bad. 00:15:46.020 --> 00:15:48.820 But that's not what happens when Jesus' disciples come back. 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:53.660 The passage says that they are overwhelmed with joy. 00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:56.799 They see amazing things. 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:58.039 They do amazing things. 00:15:58.439 --> 00:16:01.879 And they see power in God's word changing people's lives. 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:11.019 As we look at this passage, there are three things that have stuck out to me this week as I've been praying and thinking about joy. 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.199 And what we learn from joy. 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:15.240 And what we as a church need to be thinking about as we go out there. 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.639 And the first one is really simple. 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:18.100 It's found in verses 17 to 19. 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:23.319 And it basically says that joy comes from knowing that we have nothing to fear. 00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:27.079 You look at verses 17, 18, and 19. 00:16:27.459 --> 00:16:29.219 It tells us there's this battle going on. 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.120 There's this massive battle. 00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:31.500 Did you know there's a battle going on right now? 00:16:33.939 --> 00:16:37.159 Did you know that there's a spiritual warfare going on right now? 00:16:37.199 --> 00:16:40.699 Did you know that right beside you are demons and angels? 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:46.799 And the scripture says that the demons are there. 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:49.159 When a word of truth comes out, they pluck it away from you. 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.959 So you don't hear it and you don't believe it. 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:54.139 And there's angels in here praying for us. 00:16:54.180 --> 00:16:55.379 And the angels are looking down on us. 00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:58.259 And they're astounded because they're hearing the gospel message. 00:16:58.460 --> 00:17:01.519 Something that they weren't even able to hear and to respond to. 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:05.539 And so people go out. 00:17:05.639 --> 00:17:08.680 And in his day and in our day, people are afraid of the supernatural. 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:12.819 And you see in verses 17, 18, and 19 that they go out. 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:14.779 And he says that 70 returned with joy. 00:17:14.839 --> 00:17:17.700 And they said, Lord, even the demons are subject. 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:19.859 And that word subject basically means, it's a military term. 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:21.900 It means they get put in line. 00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:23.240 They get shown their place. 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:23.960 They know their rank. 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:28.639 But his disciples go out and they say, we're here because Jesus sent us. 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:32.180 And the demons and all the forces that they're struggling against fall in line. 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.040 And they fall back. 00:17:33.320 --> 00:17:36.200 And he says, all of these things are subject to us in your name. 00:17:37.580 --> 00:17:40.380 Now he's not saying, say the name of Jesus at the end of every prayer. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:42.560 I think sometimes we do that and we feel like it's this formula. 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:46.220 But in Greek, what he means is in the power of God. 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:50.720 And so the disciples went out and they saw these amazing things happen. 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:53.299 And they saw God's power going through them. 00:17:56.279 --> 00:18:00.579 Verse 18, he says, I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:02.819 Did you realize it was the devil? 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.579 I mean, we don't talk about him very much. 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:10.600 Because it's kind of uncool. 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:13.420 I mean, I think sometimes we kind of fall in one of two ways. 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:15.299 Either we talk about him all the time, he's behind every stone. 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:16.779 Or sometimes we don't talk about him at all. 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:18.000 But the Bible says that he's there. 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:20.599 And that he's the enemy and he hates you. 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:25.259 I mean, he hates you more than your worst enemy in your office hates you. 00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:30.379 And he wants to destroy you. 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.980 And he wants to kill you. 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:35.399 And he wants to deceive you. 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:39.279 And the Bible says that he was a created being. 00:18:39.399 --> 00:18:40.639 He was an angelic realm. 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:43.159 He was God's most perfect creation. 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:46.040 He was an angel of light. 00:18:47.580 --> 00:18:48.759 He was a musical angel. 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.880 He was a covering angel. 00:18:51.580 --> 00:18:53.880 He was as close as you can get to God's presence. 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:58.400 And in the scripture in your bulletin in Ezekiel and Isaiah, it says, 00:18:58.640 --> 00:19:02.120 Until the day pride was found in his heart. 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:09.000 And he realized, I don't want to serve God. 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:11.279 I want to be God. 00:19:12.679 --> 00:19:16.199 And so he led this rebellion with one-third of the angels in heaven. 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:22.099 It's interesting because that same tactic is a tactic that he uses in my life all the time. 00:19:22.159 --> 00:19:22.939 Does he use it in your life? 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:26.600 I mean, God is okay, but you know better. 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:32.720 I mean, God is, he created everything, but he expects you to do it now, right? 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:34.360 You can do it. 00:19:36.080 --> 00:19:36.779 It was funny. 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:40.779 My little daughter, KK, had her school play this week, and she was Eve. 00:19:41.320 --> 00:19:46.059 And so on Thursday, Christina text-messaged me a picture of her with an apple holding it to Adam. 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:50.440 And Christina said, it took her like five times. 00:19:50.659 --> 00:19:51.919 Eat it, eat it, eat it. 00:19:52.399 --> 00:19:53.740 And finally, Adam ate it. 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:55.879 And God comes and says, why did you do this? 00:19:56.679 --> 00:19:58.899 And Caitlin says, the devil made me do it. 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:04.200 And the scripture says the devil was powerful. 00:20:05.399 --> 00:20:08.859 And that he was perfect, but he had pride, and he wanted to be God. 00:20:08.919 --> 00:20:10.119 He did not want to serve God. 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:15.179 And so the Bible says that he was kicked out of heaven, and he fell to the earth like lightning. 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:22.019 And then the passage we're reading today is basically like an invasion. 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:26.279 Because Jesus sends his 70 disciples out, and it's like D-Day. 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:29.460 They hit the beach, and they start moving out the darkness. 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.960 They start sharing the gospel. 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:32.919 They start healing people. 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.059 They start casting out demons. 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:35.659 They start doing amazing things. 00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:39.139 And the war, we already know the war is finished. 00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:44.079 It's already ended because Jesus dies on a cross, and everyone who follows him wins. 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:49.519 But the battles continue, and this is the first battle for this hedge, this property of earth. 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:54.879 And so the disciples come back, and they are high-fiving, and they're out of control. 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:59.539 And Jesus looks at them, and he says, hey, all these things I've given to you in verse 19, 00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:01.939 I've given you the authority to tread. 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:05.359 And it's going back to Genesis, where it says that after that fall, 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:11.319 God looks at the woman and says, your seed is going to tread on the head of the serpent. 00:21:13.879 --> 00:21:16.399 And Jesus says to his disciples, and he says to you and me, 00:21:17.199 --> 00:21:18.519 I've given you the authority. 00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:20.759 I've given you the power. 00:21:21.659 --> 00:21:25.399 I've given you the ability to go out and to tread and to fight these demonic forces. 00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:30.360 You don't have to fear to tread on the heads of serpents and scorpions. 00:21:30.580 --> 00:21:33.420 The word in Greek for serpents actually means evil people. 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:37.100 And the serpent was always a symbol of the devil. 00:21:37.360 --> 00:21:39.240 And scorpions is this demonic realm. 00:21:41.040 --> 00:21:43.920 And so the disciples come back, and they're overcome with joy 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:47.519 because they know that they have nothing to fear, and neither do you or I. 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:52.139 But sometimes we walk in fear. 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:57.980 Sometimes we don't trust God. 00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:02.579 Sometimes we don't believe that he's good. 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:07.279 And the scripture says in the moment that we do that, 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:10.119 Lucifer has won a battle in our heart. 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:16.879 But the passage here in 17 and 18 and 19 and all throughout the Bible 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:19.740 says that Satan has been defeated, and you and I have nothing to fear. 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:23.980 As God's children, we walk in his power. 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:27.600 As God's children, we walk in his name. 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:32.220 And he says realizing that should bring us ultimate joy 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:35.260 because God is in control, 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:38.320 and we don't need to fear anything. 00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:44.360 Later on in verse 20, he tells us the next thing that we need to be joyful for. 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:48.719 And I think this is something I've been going over and over these last couple weeks. 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.399 You look at the passage here. 00:22:50.699 --> 00:22:51.839 They've come back, and they've said, 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:53.139 we're high fives. 00:22:53.199 --> 00:22:53.919 Everything is great. 00:22:54.219 --> 00:22:55.019 We beat the devil. 00:22:55.159 --> 00:22:55.759 He's fallen. 00:22:56.199 --> 00:22:57.659 I mean, he was a chief angel, 00:22:57.759 --> 00:23:00.319 but he's nothing compared to you and you living through us. 00:23:00.399 --> 00:23:01.079 We got it going. 00:23:01.219 --> 00:23:01.919 We got it made. 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:04.219 And in verse 20, Jesus says this. 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:08.659 Nevertheless, don't rejoice in all these things you're seeing, 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:12.700 that the spirits are subject to you, that you can control them, 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:18.279 but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven. 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:21.300 You see what he's saying there? 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:25.200 He's saying, like we told the kids, that there's this book here. 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.620 Not this one. 00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.519 There's another one. 00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:29.160 And it's in heaven. 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:33.380 And God has prescribed all the names of his children in it. 00:23:34.340 --> 00:23:36.980 And even as the disciples go out and they see all this power, 00:23:37.040 --> 00:23:38.320 and they see all these amazing things, 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:40.200 Jesus says, hey, don't get overwhelmed with that. 00:23:41.760 --> 00:23:43.200 I mean, it's good to have spiritual gifts. 00:23:44.280 --> 00:23:45.360 It's good to be obedient. 00:23:46.540 --> 00:23:47.840 It's good to do the right thing. 00:23:48.060 --> 00:23:50.760 But in the end, what we need to have joy in, 00:23:50.780 --> 00:23:52.660 what we need to rejoice in is in our salvation. 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:55.580 And in grace. 00:23:58.340 --> 00:24:00.900 He's saying the devil knew all those things. 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:03.080 The devil could speak in tongues. 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:04.199 The devil could prophesize. 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:05.559 He had every spiritual gift. 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.980 He was right beside God. 00:24:07.199 --> 00:24:09.980 He did all of those things, but he didn't know grace. 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:12.419 He wasn't saved. 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:17.359 In Matthew 7, I put that in your bulletin too, 00:24:17.419 --> 00:24:18.299 it says in the end times, 00:24:18.639 --> 00:24:21.279 some people are going to come before the throne of Christ, 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.179 and they're going to say, 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.759 Christ, I did this, and I did that, 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:26.099 and I cast out demons, and I spoke in tongues, 00:24:26.159 --> 00:24:27.299 and I did all these things. 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:29.819 What does Jesus say there? 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:35.059 Can someone read that to me? 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:41.740 Depart from me, for I never knew you. 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:46.720 See, we can't find our joy in our gifts. 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:50.699 We can't find our joy in the things that are going on in our life. 00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:52.659 We can't find our joy in our circumstances, 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:54.980 because those circumstances will change. 00:24:54.980 --> 00:25:00.200 But what Jesus says you find joy in is you find joy that your name is written in his book. 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:03.380 You find joy in grace. 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:07.019 You know, I really struggle with this, 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:09.500 because I think this is the number one reason people leave the church. 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.779 I really do. 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:15.720 I think it's probably the number one reason pastors leave ministry, 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:18.839 and Christian missionaries leave the field. 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:22.420 It's because they're out there doing everything they should be doing. 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:24.779 You come, and you serve, and you do everything, 00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:25.819 and you're using your gifts. 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:26.940 You're here every Sunday. 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.619 You're setting up. 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:31.200 But then one day, someone doesn't thank you the way that you want to be thanked. 00:25:32.339 --> 00:25:34.960 Or you don't feel appreciated the way that you should be feel. 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:37.279 Or you preach this amazing sermon, 00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:38.599 and no one ever comes up and says, 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.259 that was great. 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.879 By the way, please don't come up. 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:46.040 Or you do all these initiatives, 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:48.180 and people just don't come to faith at that time, 00:25:48.320 --> 00:25:50.160 and nothing really changes in the community. 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:53.700 And you're using your gifts, and you're using your spirit, 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:57.080 spiritual gifts, and you're using all your talents and everything you have, 00:25:57.320 --> 00:26:00.340 and things just aren't working out the way you hoped they would. 00:26:02.320 --> 00:26:03.700 And so you just go, I'm out of here. 00:26:05.580 --> 00:26:07.400 I mean, church isn't what I thought it would be. 00:26:08.760 --> 00:26:10.520 I thought if I did this, this, and this, 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:12.039 then God would bless me, and it'd be great. 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:16.039 But I'm doing these things, and nothing's changing in my life. 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:19.279 Have you ever thought that? 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:23.440 You ever thought, why am I serving today? 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.500 Because no one really even noticed. 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.500 No one even really cares. 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:27.839 No one even comes up and thanks me about this thing. 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:30.339 It's just a waste of time. 00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:33.759 Why am I talking to these people? 00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:35.319 Because there's no change going on in their life. 00:26:35.399 --> 00:26:36.359 They're not hearing me. 00:26:36.459 --> 00:26:39.220 They're not, I'm doing everything to show Christ to them, 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:41.059 and my love and my words, and nothing's happening. 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:46.240 I'm using all my talent and all the gifts at my disposal, 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:48.240 and people's lives aren't being changed. 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.980 And Jesus says, you're right, 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:53.659 because people's lives aren't changed because of your gifts 00:26:53.659 --> 00:26:55.059 and your talents and your faithfulness. 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:58.419 But people's lives are changed because of grace. 00:27:00.659 --> 00:27:02.440 People's lives are changed because of mercy. 00:27:03.899 --> 00:27:05.919 And people's lives are changed because God comes, 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:07.259 and God chooses us, 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:09.060 and he writes our name in this book of life. 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:12.420 You know, the interesting thing about the book of life 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:13.920 is there's only one hand signature in it. 00:27:15.080 --> 00:27:16.860 They're not going to find your hand signature in it 00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:18.180 as you come in and write your name in it. 00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:21.680 Because the Bible says that God is the one 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:24.640 who writes our name in his book. 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:28.220 And as I read this passage, 00:27:28.320 --> 00:27:30.380 I see over and over again what Jesus is trying to tell us. 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:33.440 He's saying, joy comes in realizing that you're God's child. 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:39.500 Joy comes in realizing that God is in control of your life. 00:27:39.800 --> 00:27:42.500 Joy comes in realizing that God is doing everything for you. 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:44.300 You can trust him because he's good. 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.700 If you try to do it on your own, 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.740 you're going to be disappointed 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:51.460 because there are a lot of people who have gifts, 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:53.360 and there are a lot of people who have abilities, 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:55.320 but they don't understand salvation. 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.960 And they don't understand grace. 00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:02.820 And after a while, we just give up 00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:05.480 because it just becomes too hard 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:07.079 and too difficult to walk with God. 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:10.519 You see what this passage is saying here? 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:14.779 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, 00:28:15.139 --> 00:28:16.740 what you've been doing and what you saw happen, 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:19.679 that the spirits are subject to you, 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:22.439 your faithfulness, what you've done and how you've served, 00:28:23.439 --> 00:28:25.960 but rejoice that your names are recorded 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:27.299 in the book of heaven. 00:28:28.899 --> 00:28:29.939 You know what that means? 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:34.660 That means that the greatest accomplishment 00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:35.640 you're going to do today, 00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:39.019 the greatest thing that you're going to accomplish 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.820 in your life, 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:42.640 the thing that you're going to be most known for, 00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:44.779 the greatest thing that you're going to do in your life 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:46.820 has nothing to do with you, 00:28:48.100 --> 00:28:51.460 but it has to do with God 00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:54.279 writing his name on your heart. 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:59.440 Have you ever thought that? 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.160 I mean, I think that's sometimes 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:04.779 why I become so discouraged sometimes. 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.799 Because I'm saying, 00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:07.119 I'm doing this and I'm doing that 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:07.839 and people aren't listening 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:08.680 and these things are going on 00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:09.579 and my kids are out of control 00:29:09.579 --> 00:29:11.160 and I'm doing all the things right. 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.200 And this passage says, 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:13.700 yeah, you can do all those things right, 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:15.079 but don't rejoice in those things 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:16.000 because ultimately, 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:18.220 the greatest thing that's going to happen to you 00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:19.899 is that God's going to put your name in his life, 00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:21.359 the book of life. 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:24.599 And that's what's going to give you joy. 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.219 And that's what's going to help you 00:29:27.219 --> 00:29:28.379 go through the hard times. 00:29:29.379 --> 00:29:30.119 And that's what's going to help you 00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:31.199 through the difficult times. 00:29:33.299 --> 00:29:36.859 Grace is everlasting. 00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:41.719 Does that make sense? 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.740 I mean, don't rejoice. 00:29:45.199 --> 00:29:46.399 I mean, it's good to have gifts. 00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:48.159 And it's good to be obedient. 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:49.379 And it's good to do those things. 00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:52.080 But what Jesus is saying is ultimately, 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:54.420 the greatest thing that's going to happen to you 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:55.600 is that God's going to save you. 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:58.680 And that's going to have nothing to do about you. 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.080 And so what he's saying is, 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:04.440 as you walk through your day, Tobin, 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:06.460 you realize that I saved you 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:08.720 and that my grace is upon you. 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.920 You can trust me. 00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:14.360 As you struggle at work 00:30:14.360 --> 00:30:15.920 and things aren't working out the way you've done 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:17.320 and you planned and you do all these things 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:18.659 and things are still falling off, 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:21.299 Tobin, you can realize that my grace is upon you 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:23.960 and you can trust me. 00:30:25.659 --> 00:30:27.339 As your kids don't turn out the way 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:28.220 that you thought they would 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:29.439 or you expected them to happen 00:30:29.439 --> 00:30:30.720 or your husband leaves you 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:32.799 or your wife is crazy, 00:30:35.939 --> 00:30:37.259 Christ says, 00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:40.819 my grace I give to you 00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:43.740 and you can trust me. 00:30:45.639 --> 00:30:47.000 So ultimately what he's saying here 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:49.039 is that grace and joy 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:51.599 comes from having our name 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:52.859 in God's book of life. 00:30:53.839 --> 00:30:55.319 The final thing that sticks out here 00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:56.960 is verses 21 through 24. 00:30:57.379 --> 00:30:58.039 And if you look at them, 00:30:58.099 --> 00:31:00.579 he basically says that joy comes in our lives 00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:03.419 from realizing that God is saving people 00:31:03.419 --> 00:31:05.200 and changing lives all around us. 00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:09.900 joy and happiness come 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:12.539 by seeing God work in our world. 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.819 I mean, think about that for a second. 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:18.220 Jesus in verse 21, 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:19.580 sometimes we just think, 00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.559 well, Jesus was happy. 00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:23.440 But in the Greek it says, 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:24.360 woo! 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:29.039 That's how joyful he is. 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:32.180 Not like, I'm so happy. 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:32.200 I'm so happy. 00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:36.539 What makes Jesus so happy? 00:31:40.279 --> 00:31:41.880 What overpowers Jesus 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:45.960 is God opening people's eyes to himself. 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:49.539 What overpowers Jesus 00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:51.380 is God working in people's hearts 00:31:51.380 --> 00:31:54.620 and pointing their face towards Christ. 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:57.779 What overpowers Christ 00:31:57.779 --> 00:32:01.380 is God opening our eyes to himself 00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:03.720 through his son, Jesus Christ. 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:06.480 Verse 21, it says, 00:32:06.600 --> 00:32:09.220 at this time he rejoiced greatly. 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:12.100 It was overwhelming in the Holy Spirit. 00:32:12.700 --> 00:32:13.059 And he said, 00:32:13.160 --> 00:32:14.180 I praise you, Father, 00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:16.519 Lord of heaven and earth, 00:32:16.600 --> 00:32:18.100 that you have not hidden these things, 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:20.059 that you have hidden these things 00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:21.140 from the wise and intelligent, 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:23.880 but you've revealed them to us, 00:32:25.080 --> 00:32:25.420 babies. 00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:28.000 And Jesus says, 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:28.880 what brings us joy 00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:30.500 is seeing God at work in our world. 00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:33.779 Seeing people's lives change, 00:32:33.880 --> 00:32:34.960 seeing the gospel going out. 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:36.240 Seeing us as a church 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:37.059 being a part of it. 00:32:38.440 --> 00:32:39.779 When Jesus sees us out there 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.920 reaching out in your workplace, 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:42.680 when Jesus sees you doing outreach 00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:43.319 in your community, 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:44.620 when Jesus sees us 00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:46.000 going into the nursing homes, 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:47.120 those are what makes him 00:32:47.120 --> 00:32:47.880 stand up and go, 00:32:48.700 --> 00:32:48.960 woo! 00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:52.720 Because he realizes 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:54.200 the power of darkness is gone. 00:32:54.200 --> 00:33:02.779 What do you find joy in today? 00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:10.360 The passage says 00:33:10.360 --> 00:33:11.819 that if we don't find it 00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:13.019 in the knowledge 00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:14.559 that God has saved us, 00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:17.100 that if we don't find it 00:33:17.100 --> 00:33:17.720 in the knowledge 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:19.240 that his son is in control, 00:33:20.580 --> 00:33:21.480 that if we don't find it 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:22.000 in the knowledge 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:23.460 that God is opening up eyes 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:24.519 of people all around us 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:25.500 and he's using you and me, 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.660 if we don't find it 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.500 in those things, 00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:31.819 we're going to be depressed 00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:33.839 and we're going to be 00:33:33.839 --> 00:33:34.799 taking antidepressants 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.380 all day long. 00:33:35.380 --> 00:33:38.500 So Jesus warns us 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:39.220 as his disciples 00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:39.880 as you go out 00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:40.620 and as you're on a mission, 00:33:40.760 --> 00:33:42.120 realize that I'm on this mission 00:33:42.120 --> 00:33:43.380 and I go before you 00:33:43.380 --> 00:33:44.700 and as I go before you, 00:33:44.720 --> 00:33:45.400 you should have joy 00:33:45.400 --> 00:33:46.100 and confidence 00:33:46.100 --> 00:33:48.140 because I'm in control. 00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:51.500 The passage goes on 00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:51.920 and it says, 00:33:52.100 --> 00:33:52.800 but in the end, 00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:55.360 all of these things happen, 00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.480 verse 24, 00:33:57.820 --> 00:34:00.120 because God gives us grace 00:34:00.120 --> 00:34:01.160 to see these things. 00:34:02.300 --> 00:34:03.220 Do you realize that right now? 00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:04.380 I think some of us, 00:34:04.380 --> 00:34:05.620 we talk about doing Bible studies 00:34:05.620 --> 00:34:06.460 and sharing our faith 00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:07.500 and most of us in here 00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:07.700 would say, 00:34:07.760 --> 00:34:08.180 I'm not ready, 00:34:08.240 --> 00:34:08.720 I'm not ready, 00:34:08.760 --> 00:34:09.240 I'm not ready. 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:11.700 But what Jesus just told us here 00:34:11.700 --> 00:34:13.340 is that if King David 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:14.500 walked into this room 00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:16.360 or if Elijah walked 00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:16.980 into this room, 00:34:17.320 --> 00:34:18.680 the things that we know 00:34:18.680 --> 00:34:20.860 he would be astounded at 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:23.340 because he never saw Jesus. 00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:24.740 He thought that there was 00:34:24.740 --> 00:34:25.420 going to be a Jesus. 00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:26.640 He saw them far off 00:34:26.640 --> 00:34:27.840 in a shadow. 00:34:30.180 --> 00:34:32.000 But that you and I see him, 00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:34.099 we read about him, 00:34:34.380 --> 00:34:35.780 we know his life 00:34:35.780 --> 00:34:37.579 and we can trust him. 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:40.619 This passage tells us 00:34:40.619 --> 00:34:41.280 that joy 00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:44.720 is intertwined with grace. 00:34:46.619 --> 00:34:48.340 And if we don't understand grace, 00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:51.559 we'll never understand joy. 00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:56.099 If we don't understand grace, 00:34:56.200 --> 00:34:57.119 that God came 00:34:57.119 --> 00:34:58.500 and gave his son 00:34:58.500 --> 00:35:00.180 to die for you and me, 00:35:01.400 --> 00:35:02.420 that God came, 00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:03.539 he opened our eyes, 00:35:03.599 --> 00:35:04.320 that God came 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:05.159 and pointed our face 00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:05.800 towards Jesus, 00:35:06.840 --> 00:35:08.280 that if we don't understand that, 00:35:08.700 --> 00:35:09.340 that he came 00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:10.440 and he wrote our names 00:35:10.440 --> 00:35:10.880 in the book 00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:12.180 and it didn't write his name 00:35:12.180 --> 00:35:13.740 as I had to put Tobin's name 00:35:13.740 --> 00:35:14.019 in here 00:35:14.019 --> 00:35:14.940 because he's just so cool. 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:16.740 No. 00:35:18.200 --> 00:35:19.460 The Bible says that 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:21.380 Tobin's name is here 00:35:21.380 --> 00:35:22.920 because God had mercy 00:35:22.920 --> 00:35:25.059 and grace on him. 00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:27.340 Because he's lost. 00:35:27.340 --> 00:35:30.260 He's broken. 00:35:32.820 --> 00:35:33.880 He needs grace. 00:35:37.280 --> 00:35:38.519 This passage says 00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:39.940 in verse 23 and 24 00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:40.700 that it's God 00:35:40.700 --> 00:35:41.340 that allows us 00:35:41.340 --> 00:35:42.019 to see things 00:35:42.019 --> 00:35:43.100 that Old Testament saints 00:35:43.100 --> 00:35:44.500 struggle to see 00:35:44.500 --> 00:35:45.079 and they would love 00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:46.019 to see what we've seen. 00:35:47.200 --> 00:35:48.240 Verse 22 tells us 00:35:48.240 --> 00:35:49.200 that God is the one 00:35:49.200 --> 00:35:51.039 who brings his son to us 00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:52.160 and he directs 00:35:52.160 --> 00:35:52.900 his son's face. 00:35:53.200 --> 00:35:54.120 And so the imagery is this, 00:35:54.200 --> 00:35:54.960 that here is God 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:56.440 and Christ is right beside him 00:35:56.440 --> 00:35:57.780 and Christ is this mirror 00:35:57.780 --> 00:35:59.119 and Christ is this mirror 00:35:59.119 --> 00:36:00.340 that reflects God's image 00:36:00.340 --> 00:36:01.000 to you and me. 00:36:02.079 --> 00:36:03.260 And as we become Christians, 00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:04.559 we become mirrors. 00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:06.840 And so we have God's image 00:36:06.840 --> 00:36:08.320 reflecting off of Christ, 00:36:08.740 --> 00:36:09.800 reflecting off of us 00:36:09.800 --> 00:36:11.300 and out into the dark world. 00:36:14.179 --> 00:36:15.159 And verse 23 says 00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:15.800 it all happens 00:36:15.800 --> 00:36:16.820 because God is the one 00:36:16.820 --> 00:36:17.720 who does it in our life. 00:36:17.800 --> 00:36:18.340 He's the one 00:36:18.340 --> 00:36:19.599 that aligns Christ 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:20.300 so that we can see 00:36:20.300 --> 00:36:20.920 his reflection 00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:21.780 and fall in love with him. 00:36:22.159 --> 00:36:22.940 Verse 21 says 00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:24.119 that God reveals Jesus 00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:24.820 to you and me. 00:36:25.940 --> 00:36:26.740 That we don't go on 00:36:26.740 --> 00:36:27.820 this search looking for Jesus 00:36:27.820 --> 00:36:28.599 because we're lost, 00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:29.300 we walk in darkness, 00:36:29.619 --> 00:36:30.500 but it's because of grace 00:36:30.500 --> 00:36:31.699 and mercy that God does this 00:36:31.699 --> 00:36:32.579 and because of this 00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:33.260 we have joy. 00:36:34.780 --> 00:36:35.460 Verse 20 says 00:36:35.460 --> 00:36:36.880 it is God who writes our names 00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:37.900 in his book of life 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:40.480 and that's what we should rejoice in. 00:36:41.940 --> 00:36:43.119 And verse 17 and 19 00:36:43.119 --> 00:36:43.880 says it is God 00:36:43.880 --> 00:36:44.679 who gives us victory 00:36:44.679 --> 00:36:47.300 and power in darkness. 00:36:52.380 --> 00:36:53.420 Everybody's really quiet. 00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:55.860 Everybody's really hungry. 00:36:57.159 --> 00:36:58.159 Everybody's really bored. 00:36:59.000 --> 00:36:59.639 I don't know. 00:37:00.380 --> 00:37:02.240 But what this passage tells us 00:37:02.240 --> 00:37:03.920 is that joy 00:37:03.920 --> 00:37:06.880 comes from understanding grace. 00:37:09.400 --> 00:37:10.820 And God wants to give that grace 00:37:10.820 --> 00:37:11.380 to you and me. 00:37:11.380 --> 00:37:16.519 I want to try a little exercise. 00:37:17.099 --> 00:37:17.480 On your, 00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:18.740 and I get in trouble 00:37:18.740 --> 00:37:19.340 with this at home 00:37:19.340 --> 00:37:20.019 because I tell my kids 00:37:20.019 --> 00:37:21.059 not to write on themselves. 00:37:21.860 --> 00:37:22.720 Everyone had a pen 00:37:22.720 --> 00:37:23.220 on their seat. 00:37:23.360 --> 00:37:24.380 I want you to take that pen out. 00:37:24.380 --> 00:37:34.880 On the palm of your hand 00:37:34.880 --> 00:37:36.579 that is not your dominant hand. 00:37:37.519 --> 00:37:39.079 So for 80% of us 00:37:39.079 --> 00:37:41.000 it's going to be our right hand 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:42.180 so that means it's our left hand. 00:37:42.800 --> 00:37:43.660 I want you to take that pen 00:37:43.660 --> 00:37:45.119 and I want you to write the word grace. 00:37:46.960 --> 00:37:47.519 Come on. 00:37:47.559 --> 00:37:48.039 You can do it. 00:37:48.059 --> 00:37:48.960 You can wipe it right off 00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:49.559 before you eat. 00:37:49.559 --> 00:37:50.160 Come on. 00:37:50.159 --> 00:37:53.399 Come on. 00:37:53.539 --> 00:37:54.579 Terry's back there laughing. 00:37:57.719 --> 00:37:58.819 Write the word grace. 00:37:59.779 --> 00:38:01.039 And as you go through this day 00:38:01.039 --> 00:38:02.099 I want you to just look at this 00:38:02.099 --> 00:38:02.819 a couple times 00:38:02.819 --> 00:38:05.339 and think of this passage. 00:38:07.000 --> 00:38:08.059 That God has sent you and me 00:38:08.059 --> 00:38:09.399 as his church out on this mission. 00:38:10.920 --> 00:38:12.059 And this mission is 00:38:12.059 --> 00:38:15.000 what? 00:38:16.739 --> 00:38:17.139 Grace. 00:38:18.219 --> 00:38:19.219 That God is allowing us 00:38:19.219 --> 00:38:20.679 to reflect the image of his son 00:38:20.679 --> 00:38:22.399 because he brought us 00:38:22.399 --> 00:38:23.139 into his family 00:38:23.139 --> 00:38:25.419 and this happened because of 00:38:25.419 --> 00:38:28.719 come on guys. 00:38:28.819 --> 00:38:29.739 Pastor asks a question. 00:38:29.859 --> 00:38:30.319 You repeat. 00:38:32.379 --> 00:38:33.459 That God's sending you out 00:38:33.459 --> 00:38:34.299 into your workplace 00:38:34.299 --> 00:38:35.519 into places where people 00:38:35.519 --> 00:38:36.359 are going to hate you 00:38:36.359 --> 00:38:37.480 and scorn you 00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:38.500 and mock you 00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:40.899 and he's still there with you 00:38:40.899 --> 00:38:42.839 pushing back the darkness 00:38:42.839 --> 00:38:45.399 and all of this happens 00:38:45.399 --> 00:38:46.099 because of 00:38:46.099 --> 00:38:49.779 that God 00:38:49.779 --> 00:38:50.920 before the eternity 00:38:50.920 --> 00:38:51.960 happened 00:38:51.960 --> 00:38:54.299 we have eternity past 00:38:54.299 --> 00:38:55.000 we have time 00:38:55.000 --> 00:38:55.639 and we have eternity 00:38:55.639 --> 00:38:57.119 future. 00:38:58.119 --> 00:38:59.960 The God in eternity past 00:38:59.960 --> 00:39:01.199 knew you 00:39:01.199 --> 00:39:03.079 he opened up 00:39:03.079 --> 00:39:03.900 his book of life 00:39:03.900 --> 00:39:05.279 and he wrote your name down 00:39:05.279 --> 00:39:07.319 and all of that happened 00:39:07.319 --> 00:39:07.960 because of 00:39:07.960 --> 00:39:12.360 you can't have joy 00:39:12.360 --> 00:39:14.480 without grace. 00:39:16.160 --> 00:39:17.320 If you're walking around 00:39:17.320 --> 00:39:18.660 unjoyful 00:39:18.660 --> 00:39:20.860 unhappy 00:39:20.860 --> 00:39:23.400 disappointed in life 00:39:23.400 --> 00:39:26.000 the scripture tells us 00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:26.400 today 00:39:26.400 --> 00:39:28.059 there's probably 00:39:28.059 --> 00:39:29.160 a very good reason 00:39:29.160 --> 00:39:29.840 for that 00:39:29.840 --> 00:39:31.920 it's because we don't 00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:33.019 understand God's grace 00:39:33.019 --> 00:39:33.620 in our life 00:39:33.620 --> 00:39:35.740 or we don't understand 00:39:35.740 --> 00:39:36.160 what he's done 00:39:36.160 --> 00:39:36.700 in our life. 00:39:38.380 --> 00:39:39.160 Let's pray. 00:39:39.960 --> 00:39:40.780 Father we just thank you 00:39:40.780 --> 00:39:41.380 for this day. 00:39:42.220 --> 00:39:42.920 We thank you 00:39:42.920 --> 00:39:43.620 for your son 00:39:43.620 --> 00:39:44.100 we thank you 00:39:44.100 --> 00:39:44.700 for the mission 00:39:44.700 --> 00:39:45.200 we thank you 00:39:45.200 --> 00:39:45.800 for the message. 00:39:46.960 --> 00:39:47.800 We thank you 00:39:47.800 --> 00:39:49.019 that we don't worship 00:39:49.019 --> 00:39:52.840 a plastic Jesus. 00:39:54.540 --> 00:39:55.380 I pray Lord 00:39:55.380 --> 00:39:56.240 for all of us in here 00:39:56.240 --> 00:39:57.200 as we go out today 00:39:57.200 --> 00:39:58.080 that we would understand 00:39:58.080 --> 00:39:58.700 your grace 00:39:58.700 --> 00:39:59.500 in a different way 00:39:59.500 --> 00:40:01.920 that we'd understand 00:40:01.920 --> 00:40:02.580 your word 00:40:02.580 --> 00:40:03.180 and your message 00:40:03.180 --> 00:40:03.880 to us. 00:40:05.880 --> 00:40:06.780 Father we just thank you 00:40:06.780 --> 00:40:07.280 for your word 00:40:07.280 --> 00:40:09.240 your book of life 00:40:09.239 --> 00:40:11.059 where you've written 00:40:11.059 --> 00:40:11.679 our names 00:40:11.679 --> 00:40:14.379 we pray as a church 00:40:14.379 --> 00:40:15.659 as we go out today 00:40:15.659 --> 00:40:16.619 in this week 00:40:16.619 --> 00:40:18.219 that we realize 00:40:18.219 --> 00:40:18.919 that you've given us 00:40:18.919 --> 00:40:19.439 a power 00:40:19.439 --> 00:40:20.299 and authority 00:40:20.299 --> 00:40:21.519 over all the enemy 00:40:21.519 --> 00:40:22.959 and the demons 00:40:22.959 --> 00:40:23.539 and the darkness 00:40:23.539 --> 00:40:24.239 that we'll face 00:40:24.239 --> 00:40:26.059 we realize 00:40:26.059 --> 00:40:26.619 that there's nothing 00:40:26.619 --> 00:40:27.199 that's going to come 00:40:27.199 --> 00:40:28.399 into our lives 00:40:28.399 --> 00:40:30.519 that you haven't allowed 00:40:30.519 --> 00:40:32.739 we realize 00:40:32.739 --> 00:40:33.679 that our names 00:40:33.679 --> 00:40:34.359 are secure 00:40:34.359 --> 00:40:35.979 in the book of life 00:40:35.979 --> 00:40:37.579 and we have nothing 00:40:37.579 --> 00:40:38.599 to fear or doubt 00:40:38.599 --> 00:40:40.579 we realize 00:40:40.579 --> 00:40:41.319 that you're good 00:40:41.319 --> 00:40:43.719 and we can trust you 00:40:43.719 --> 00:40:46.639 Father we realize 00:40:46.639 --> 00:40:47.679 that we come to you 00:40:47.679 --> 00:40:49.699 not because we're good 00:40:49.699 --> 00:40:52.079 because we would be lost 00:40:52.079 --> 00:40:52.940 if we had to be good 00:40:52.940 --> 00:40:54.739 but we come to you 00:40:54.739 --> 00:40:55.539 because of your grace 00:40:55.539 --> 00:40:58.019 we pray all these things 00:40:58.019 --> 00:40:59.059 in your son Jesus name 00:40:59.059 --> 00:41:00.199 Amen