Sermon Notes | Sunday, March 5th 2023
The Fruit of the Gospel: JOY
Pastor Chris Pletcher
Opening Story // Luke 15:11-24
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ʻFather, give me the share of property that is coming to me.ʼ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
“But when he came to himself, he said, ʻHow many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ʼ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ʻFather, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.ʼ But the father said to his servants, ʻBring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.ʼ And they began to celebrate.
How have we learned the Father?
Do you know that God feels compassion for you?
Do you know that God has affection for you?
Do you know that God has good gifts for you?
Do you know that God celebrates you?
Zephaniah 3:17
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
JOY is central to the heart of God! And it is central to the Gospel.
Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
The goal of the Gospel is the restoration of His glory upon our lives and the replanting of our lives for His glory.
The Robe - A new garment to cover his filth.
The Ring - Authorized to do business and make transactions on behalf of the household.
The Shoes - It's a new season of WALKING with the Father and re-discovering your purpose as His child.
The Celebration - The Father throws a joyful celebration in honor of the son coming back to LIFE.
Colossians 1:11-14
Let us give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
JOY is 1/3 of the Kingdom of God.
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Our ability to access the JOY of the Lord is crucial for our lives.
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:16
Rejoice always...
Ephesians 2:17-18
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
WE ACCESS THE JOY OF THE FATHER BY LEARNING HOW TO REJOICE!
Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
REJOICE = to remember and declare
JOY IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF TRIAL; IT IS THE PRESENCE OF GOD!
Psalm 100:1-4
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.