I Thought it Would All Make Sense
Sermon Notes
Real joy in life requires CLEAR THINKING about our relationship with God
[2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV] For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
[John 6:28-31 NKJV] Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" [29] Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." [30] Therefore they said to Him, "What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? [31] "Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "
Operating on agreement seeks to put ME in charge instead of GOD.
[Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV] "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. [22] "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' [23] "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
[John 16:33 NKJV] "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
The right question is not, “What do you want?” or “Where are we going?”. The right question is, “WHO IS ASKING?”
[Hebrews 11:4 NKJV] By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
[James 4:1-10 NKJV] Where do wars and fights [come] from among you? Do [they] not [come] from your [desires for] pleasure that war in your members? [2] You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. [3] You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend [it] on your pleasures. [4] Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. [5] Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? [6] But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." [7] Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [you] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [you] double-minded. [9] Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and [your] joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
When I practice HUMILITY and SUBMISSION, I’m telling God, “I TRUST YOU”.
[Hebrews 12:1-4 NKJV] Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [us], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. [4] You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
When I’m tempted with DISCOURAGEMENT, I remember what Jesus did to show that I can trust him.
[Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV] And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. [19] "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age." Amen.
Real Joy is not at the DESTINATION. It’s not on the JOURNEY. It’s in God’s PRESENCE along the way.