”Journey to Joy”, Acts 13.13-52, Stefan Wolmarans, Watford church of Christ

“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 13:52 NIV11-GK)

Reading backwards from this joyful experience. 

How did they end up in a state of joy?

 

Persecuted and expelled. vv50-51

• Was that why they were joyful?
• Something else must have been going on. 

 

Listen to me, vv13-16

• Reminding them of their spiritual heritage
• Yet joy missing
• Why?
• Still waiting for Messiah
• Asked them to look forward, not back. 
• Told them about Messiah, vv32-33, 38-39
• Good news of forgiveness and freedom from sin

 

Joy interrupted, vv45, 50

• Joy due to changed lives, not experience of persecution
• Persecution did not steal their joy
• What happens when difficulty comes into our lives?
• Is our joy stolen by the challenges?
• How can we respond?
• Sometimes our friends are less than helpful. They don’t always listen well or understand. 
• Truth is not helpful when not accompanied by allowing our sadness to exist without censure. 
•  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Rom. 8:28–30 NIV11)
• Context of God’s appeal is in that he has a plan to conform us to the image of Jesus
• The way to handle sadness is to remember that God plans to mould us into the image of his Son. 

 

Choose Joy, James 1.2-4

• Because we know what God is doing, we can chose joy even before the process is completed. 
• Not an emotion, but a choice
• Can be joyful and sad at the same time
• No pretence - like Jesus
• “Consider” it joy is a decision. 
• Jn 12.27; Matt 26.38; Heb12.2
• Choice of joy is choosing a state of being. 
• Ann Voskamp quote. ....
• Where does this joy come from?

 

Joy from the Spirit 

• Rom 15.13; Acts 13.52 - joy from the Spirit

 

 

Join us in our adventure: 10.30 AM on most Sundays at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0DD.

 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

 

Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: thewatfordchurch@gmail.com.

 

Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.

 

God bless,

 

Malcolm

 

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