Luke 15

Today’s emotion...JOY


  • Joy...
    • How would you define this emotion?
    • a perpetual gladness of the heart that comes from knowing, experiencing, and trusting Jesus.
    • From knowing and trusting Jesus – can you know and trust him when angry? Depressed? YES…
    • Joy is a rare emotion that can exists even in the midst of other emotions...it is POWERFUL
    • Martin Lloyd-Jones said, “joy, in other words, is the response and the reaction of the soul to a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
    • Benefits of feeling more joy
      • promotes a healthier lifestyle.
      • boosts immune system.
      • fights stress and pain.
      • supports longevity.
      • Harvard Study “...how happy we are in our relationships has a powerful influence on our health...Taking care of your body is important, but tending to your relationships is a form of self-care too. That, I think, is the revelation.”
  • Joy is based on our RELATIONSHIP with God and with EACH OTHER
    • How do we tend to these relationships to ensure Joy can exist?

BACKGROUND:Father had 2 sons! Younger one Insulted his Father beyondbelief—“Give me my inheritance now!” basically “Dad, I wish you weredead!” Son goes off had Fun for a little while. Out of money—Outof friends—Out of hope!

Thisguy hits bottom—How in the world did I end up here? …Realized—Hewas far from his FATHER and living in a pig pen!

JOYrequires RELATIONSHIP with GOD
Luke 15 17“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At homeeven the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I amdying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, Ihave sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthyof being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’20“So he returned home to his father.

  • When you realize you are far from God… 1. take ONE STEP forward
    • Maybe someone here recognizes You’re not as close to God as you once were.
    • You didn’t intentionally rebel like this son...Wasn’t deliberate!
    • Didn’t plan on walking away from God but you have sort of...Drifted.
    • Didn’t even notice at first, Little by little… Took God for granted.
      • Stopped faithfully reading your Bible
      • found excuses to avoid going church
      • small groups are too inconvenient, I mean...who has time to take an hour out of their week...and 9:30am on Sunday morning is EARLY
      • Maybe you stopped Serving, using your talents as God had directed
      • Perhaps you are no longer Praying
      • Maybe you’ve stopped giving financially thinking others must be so why should you
      • Could it be that you are holding on to anger and un-forgiveness for a wrong someone has done against you
    • If you realize you have drifted...recognize that problem...the son did
    • Realizes, plans out his confession speech, starts walking toward the Father
    • STARTS WITH JUST ONE STEP
      • If you have drifted away from God, what is the next step?
      • Find someone to hold you to it
      • Maybe its coming into the building
      • Maybe its 5minutes of prayer and bible study a day (you’ve got 5)
      • Maybe its setting aside that one hour a week for small group (9:30am Sunday – Sunday Funday, 1pm Monday, 2pm Thursday)
      • Maybe its giving financially, even if a tiny amount
      • Maybe it’s serving once a month (Kids club, pantry, calling, cards)
      • Maybe its forgiving someone, or asking forgiveness
    • Just one small step forward...Get up...take one small step
      • HARD? Yep
      • uncomfortable...you bet
      • Necessary for JOY...100%

Luke 15““Sohe returned home to his father. And while he was still a long wayoff, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, heran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him,‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am nolonger worthy of being called your son.[b]’ 22“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finestrobe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger andsandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. Wemust celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and hasnow returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So theparty began.

  • This son has no idea just how much his Father loved him.
    • Every day, Father’s heart breaking.
    • Jesus’ depression was because of the lack of relationship the jews of Jerusalem had with God
    • The father was sad...watching...then what did he did when he saw the son? (RAN)
    • In their culture, men never ran—Considered undignified. But the Father loved his son and he couldn’t wait to be near him.
    • The son took the step...and the Father met him running with arms wide
  • After 1. One step… 2. RELATIONSHIP with God
    • When the son took that step...the Father did not take him as a servant
    • He was not interested in his son simply falling into line, paying back the debt owed...he wanted RELATIONSHIP
    • Do you realized...GOD wants a relationship with you...a Parent/Child relationship
    • Last week – God wants to be the mother hen covering you with their wings...surrounding you completely
    • 24/7 365 God is available to you as that good parent
    • God is not FAR FROM YOU...if you feel the distance it is of your own making...not God’s
    • We often are tempted to picture God as far off...too great and mighty to be close to us
    • God is great and mighty YES...but also sacrificed Jesus Christ (perfect God the son) to have relationship with you
    • What does relationship look like?(Talking, honesty, trust, who you go to)

Luke 14:15-23aman sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a blessing itwill be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!”16Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast andsent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent hisservant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ 18 Butthey all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought afield and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said, ‘Ihave just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out.Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said, ‘I just got married, so Ican’t come.’21“The servant returned and told his master what they had said. Hismaster was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets andalleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, andthe lame.’ 22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘Thereis still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into thecountry lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come,so that the house will be full.

  • So take ONE step, enjoy RELATIONSHIP with God and then 3. Invite others
    • DO you know what brings Joy to God? Luke 15:7 there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
  • People coming to God…
  • Heaven rejoices—Angels sing—God throws a party! When one sinner repents...so...who have you invited to the party?
  • In the last month how many times have you shared you faith? How many people have you invited to join you here Sunday morning? How many grand children have you picked up to bring?
  • There is ROOM AT THE TABLE...invite

conclusion

    • You would not be here...if someone had not invited you into that relationship with God
    • Be that someone for someone else…
    • and...quickly!

Needto start that relationship...reach out sarah.coppernoll@gmail.com

Havethat relationship? read this one more time...Goquickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor,the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 After the servant haddone this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So hismaster said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedgesand urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.