Duration: 00:33:23 - This sermon is 33 minutes and 23 seconds long. Please be aware that it may take a few moments to load after you click the play button above.
Pastor Rob's Notes
3 common joy stealers
1. Unsatisfied/Unmet expectations
Philippians 4:12 it says, “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”
The secret is found and revealed in Jesus! In Christ we can experience contentment in life!
2. Unresolved conflict
Hebrews 12:14-15 says,
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.
Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many."
You see Paul recognized the link between joy and unity in Philippians 2:2: where it says, “Then make me truly happy(joyful) by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”
3. Unconfessed sin
King David understood this very well when he attempted to ignore the promptings of the Spirit.
In Psalm 32:1-5 he wrote, “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!
2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.
4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
I love how this Psalm ends.
After David owns his sin, his joy returns and he writes in verse 11: So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!
Did you catch that?
He was not able to rejoice and experience the joy of the Lord until he confessed his sins! And that's what we need to do as well...