Clovis Hills - Weekend Messages

I. THE CALL FROM THE GRAVE

"When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out..." John 11:43-44a

• Only Christ's voice has power over spiritual death (cf. John 5:25)

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. John 6:44

• Augustine noted: Jesus called Lazarus by name, lest all the dead arise

• Application: Your salvation began with Christ's specific call to you 

• (Give reference to people's lightbulb moment)

• Lazarus heard and obeyed while still dead—this is grace

• Faith is the dead hearing the voice of the living God

• Modern parallel: We respond to Christ while still spiritually bound

"Your grave clothes do not define you—Christ does."

"...his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face." John 11:44b

Theologically: The "old man" that Scripture says we must put off (Eph. 4:22-24)

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

Practically:

• Habitual sins that once defined us

• Mental patterns formed in spiritual death

• Relational dynamics rooted in selfishness

• Emotional responses shaped by a godless worldview

• We are simultaneously justified and being sanctified

• Already raised, yet still being unbound

• Martin Luther's insight: Simul justus et peccator - at the same time righteous and sinner

The Voice That Raises the Dead

The Response of Faith
II. THE PROBLEM OF THE GRAVE CLOTHES 

What Are Our Grave Clothes?

The Paradox of Christian Experience

Why Don't the Grave Clothes Fall Off Automatically?

1. God's pedagogical purpose - We learn dependence through struggle

   1. The nature of habit - Sin creates neural pathways that require intentional rewiring

   "Every grave cloth once served a purpose in your old life—address the root, not just the fruit."

   1. Community necessity - Others must help us see our blind spots…. 

   Growth Groups, CR, you need this throughout your life if you want to truly take off your grave clothes

   Gospel Turn:

   “Lazarus, COME OUT”

   God is calling you…

   Some of you went back in the tomb, and you're just chilling in your grave clothes, lying around in your cold, dark tomb

   Jesus has called you out of your tomb

   “Faith is the dead hearing the voice of the living God.”
   III The Voice That Raises the Dead 

Galatians 5:16-26 NIV

1. WHAT SELF-CONTROL REALLY MEANS

1. Greek word: "enkrateia" = strength from within 

2. Not gritting teeth and trying harder 

3. Allowing God's power to control your life 

4. Illustration: You're the caboose, not the engine 

5. QUOTEABLE: "You don't need more willpower; you need more God-power."

1. Not achieved through willpower

2. Fruit that grows when connected to the Spirit

3. Illustration: Apple tree - keep the tree healthy, fruit grows naturally

4. Application: Stop manufacturing; start nurturing relationship with God

5. QUOTEABLE: "You can't manufacture fruit, but you can cultivate the tree."

6. QUOTEABLE: "Self-control isn't just about controlling some things - it's about surrendering everything."

Gospel

1. Context: Acts of flesh vs. fruit of the Spirit

2. Flesh controls:

• Your appetites (sexual immorality, impurity)

• Your attitudes (hatred, discord, jealousy)

• Your actions (fits of rage, selfish ambition)

3. Spirit-control touches:

• Physical - body and appetites

• Emotional - feelings and reactions

• Relational - words and responses

• Financial - spending and giving

• Spiritual - priorities and time

4. Where do I most need God's self-control right now?"

5. "Self-control isn't just about controlling some things - it's about surrendering everything."

1. Paradox: Control yourself by letting God control you

2. Romans 6:16 - "slaves of the one you obey"

.Romans 6:15-18

1. Two options: slave to impulses or slave to righteousness

2. The secret: Spirit-control = true freedom

"The way to control yourself is to let God control you."

"When you're controlled by God's Spirit, you're more free than you've ever been."

1. Honest confession: "God, I can't control this. I need help."

2. Pride says: "I can handle this"

3. Humility says: "I can't, but God can"

4. "The first step to self-control is admitting you're out of control."

1. John 15:5 - "Apart from me you can do nothing"

2. Stay connected through:

• Daily time in God's Word

• Regular prayer and worship

• Fellowship with believers

• Obedience in small things

3. "Self-control flows from staying connected to the Source of all control."

1. Romans 12:2 - transformed by renewing minds

2. Replace lies with truth:

• Lie: "I can't help myself" Truth: Phil. 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ"

• Lie: "I'll never change" Truth: 2 Cor. 5:17 - "New creation has come"

• Lie: "Temptation is too strong" Truth: 1 Cor. 10:13 - God provides way of escape

3. "You can't think wrong thoughts and live a right life."

4. "Change your thinking, and you'll change your living."

1. Self-control requires action empowered by Spirit

2. Practical strategies:

• Avoid triggering situations when possible

• Replace bad habits with God-honoring alternatives

• Surround yourself with encouraging people

• Remember every "no" to temptation = "yes" to God's best

3. "Every 'no' to temptation is a 'yes' to God's best for your life."

4. Self-control isn't passive - it's Spirit-powered action."

A. God's Promise: Self-control will grow as you walk in Spirit. 

B. God's Purpose: Effectiveness in serving God and loving others 

C. Controlled life = focus on what matters (God's kingdom) 

D. "Self-control isn't just for your benefit - it's for your effectiveness." 

E. "A controlled life is a powerful life."

A. Pick one area needing more self-control 

B. Don't try harder - surrender deeper 

C. Prayer: "God, I give You control. Fill me with Your Spirit" 

D. Remember: You don't need more willpower - you need more God-power

"Instead of trying harder, surrender deeper." 

2. THREE TRUTHS ABOUT BIBLICAL SELF-CONTROL

A. Self-Control is a Gift, Not a Goal
B. Self-Control Covers Every Area of Life

C. Self-Control is About God-Control

3. FOUR PRACTICAL STEPS TO DEVELOP SELF-CONTROL

A. Step 1: Admit Your Need (Humility)

B. Step 2: Abide in Christ (Connection)

C. Step 3: Apply God's Truth (Transformation)

D. Step 4: Act in God's Power (Obedience)

In our age of instant everything—instant texting, instant coffee, instant results—we've largely forgotten the power of the slow, steady work of faithfulness. We swipe when relationships get difficult, quit when jobs get challenging, and abandon commitments when they stop feeling convenient. We live in a culture that has trained us to expect immediate gratification and to move on the moment things require effort or sacrifice.

Matthew 25:14-15

Matthew 25:20-21

Matthew 25:24-28

I. FAITHFULNESS IS A CHOICE, NOT A FEELING

"Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."1 Corinthians 4:2 

Quoteable Statement: "Faithfulness isn't about feeling like it - it's about following through when you don't feel like it."

Everyone wants to be a beast, but they don't want to do what beasts do….

“It is required of a man that he be faithful, not successful.” Howard Hendricks, 

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." Luke 16:10 

Quoteable Statement: "God uses small tests to prepare us for big assignments. If you're not faithful with a borrowed car, why would He give you your own business?"

Illustrations:

• Joseph was faithful as a servant before becoming prime minister

• David was faithful with sheep before leading Israel

• Jesus was faithful to earthly parents as a carpenter before his heavenly mission

• God called me to preach…. Where I am invited, if possible, I will go… Small stages lead to bigger ones.

Three Areas Where Faithfulness Counts:

1. Time - Are you on time? Do you keep your word about schedules?

2. Money - Do you pay your bills? Return what you borrow? Give what you promise?

3. Relationships - Do you keep confidences? Show up when promised? Follow through on commitments?

Quoteable Statement: "Little acts of faithfulness are the building blocks of a trustworthy life."

 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.'"Matthew 25:21 -

Quoteable Statement: "Faithfulness is the soil where God grows bigger opportunities."

The Faithfulness-Fruitfulness Cycle:

• Faithfulness builds trust

• Trust creates opportunities

• Opportunities produce influence

• Influence generates impact

Biblical Examples:

• Ruth's faithfulness to Naomi led to marriage with Boaz

• Daniel's faithfulness in exile led to positions of power

• Mary's faithfulness to God's call led to mothering the Messiah

Modern Application: Every person of great impact started with small acts of faithfulness

Quoteable Statement: "God isn't looking for your ability - He's looking for your availability and reliability."

Three Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. What small thing is God asking me to be faithful in right now?

Growth group….

1. Where have I been unfaithful that I need to make right?

2. What big thing might God be preparing me for through small acts of faithfulness?

Final Quoteable Statement: "Your faithfulness today determines your fruitfulness tomorrow. Don't despise small beginnings - God doesn't."
II. FAITHFULNESS STARTS IN THE SMALL THINGS (8 minutes)
III. FAITHFULNESS PRODUCES FRUITFULNESS (7 minutes)IV The Faithfulness Test

1. UNDERSTANDING BIBLICAL GOODNESS 

I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. Romans 15:14Goodness Is More Than Being Nice

• Greek word agathos: Active benevolence that seeks others' welfare

• Goodness confronts what's wrong and promotes what's right

• Kingdom Principle: God's goodness always acts for His glory and others' benefit

• Only God is inherently good 

Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.(Mark 10:18)

• When you're born again, God's nature becomes your nature

• Spiritual Reality: You don't try to be good - you express the goodness already in you

• "Stop trying to manufacture what God has already deposited."

• "You can't live the Christian life on human horsepower - you need Holy Spirit power."

• "The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you - start acting like it."

• Niceness avoids conflict; goodness addresses problems

• Jesus was good when He cleansed the temple

• The Standard: Divine goodness, not cultural politeness

• "Niceness is about avoiding conflict; goodness is about lovingly confronting what's wrong. (start with yourself though)

• You can't manufacture spiritual fruit through willpower

• The Problem: Trying to live the Christian life in human strength

• The Solution: Don't try harder - yield deeper."

• "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life"

• You're a partaker of the divine nature

• Kingdom Truth: God doesn't ask you to do what He hasn't equipped you to do

• "Apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5)

• Goodness flows from intimacy with Christ

• Spiritual Discipline: Stay connected to the Vine (Emphasize practicing God’s presence even in communion today…. 

• Goodness comes from God when you draw near to him

19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Exodus 33:19

• Goodness in your thought life - thinking on things that are pure

• Goodness in your speech - words that build up

• Personal Application: Let God's goodness govern your private moments

• "Stop trying to manufacture what God has already deposited."

• "You can't live the Christian life on human horsepower - you need Holy Spirit power."

• "The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you - start acting like it."

• Goodness that forgives when others hurt you

• Goodness that serves even when it's not convenient

• Joseph's goodness turned his brothers' evil into God's glory

• Biblical Example: How goodness redeemed a broken family

• Kingdom Strategy: God uses your goodness to accomplish His purposes

• Relational Truth: God's goodness in you blesses others

• Application on prayer for Gods goodness

• Being salt and light in a corrupt world

• Standing for righteousness even when it costs you

• Cultural Impact: One person walking in God's goodness can change an environment

Goodness Is a Divine AttributeGoodness Versus Niceness

2. THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL GOODNESS

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4It's Not Human EffortIt's Divine NatureIt's Through Abiding

3. THE EXPRESSION OF GODLY GOODNESS

 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10In Your Personal LifeIn Your RelationshipsIt Transforms SituationsIn Your Community

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:22-26

1. KIND PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHERE KINDNESS COMES FROM 

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:4-5

• God showed us kindness first - we don't earn it, we receive it

• Application: You can only give what you've received

• Practical: Start each day remembering how God has been kind to you. Explain how you pray/meditate on the fruit of the Spirit

2. KIND PEOPLE CHOOSE TO BE KIND EVEN WHEN IT'S HARD 

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 6:35

• Real kindness costs something - time, energy, pride, money

• It's easy to be kind to kind people; Jesus calls us to more

• Application: Kindness is a choice, not a feeling

• Practical: This week, show kindness to someone who's been difficult

Kindness is love in work clothes."

The Point: The businessman had knowledge, success, and resources. But the custodian had something more powerful - a heart transformed by God's kindness. His kindness wasn't just polite behavior; it was the overflow of someone who had experienced grace.

The Application: True kindness doesn't depend on your circumstances, your status, or how others treat you. It flows from understanding how lavishly God has treated you. When you've been forgiven much, you can't help but show mercy to others.

"We love because he first loved us" 1 John 4:19. Our kindness is simply a reflection of the kindness we've received from God.

"As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people..."

• Opportunities are everywhere when you have "kind eyes."

• Small acts create a big impact

• Application: Be intentionally aware of the needs around you

• Practical: CONEXPO Sign Up! Relationships and Responsibilities

• Marriage Kindness Challenge

Gospel Turn:

4. GOD’S KINDNESS ALWAYS LEADS US HOME TO HIM

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4

3. KIND PEOPLE LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:7-10

PRAYER IS THE WORK

Pastor Mark Lee | Vantagepoint Church

Luke 11:9 - Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.

Mark 11:24 – Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer,

believe that you have received it and it will be yours.

Matt 21:22 – If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in

prayer.

Acts 7:55 – full of the Holy Spirit he looked up to heaven and saw the glory of

God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

Acts 12:1 – It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who

belonged to the church intending to persecute them. He had James, the

brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased

the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also.

Acts 12:12-15 – When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of

Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered

and were praying. Peter knocked at the outer entrance and a servant named

Rhonda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was

so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the

door!” “You’re out of your mind,” they told her.

Acts 12:5 – So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying.

Haddon Robinson- Where was it that Jesus sweat great drops of blood? Not in

Pilate's hall, not on his way to Golgotha, (in other words, he didn’t just pray while

he was in the trial) it was in the Garden of Gethsemane. There he offered up

prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save him

from death. Had I been there and witnessed that struggle, I would have worried

about the future. If he is so broken up when all he is doing is praying, I might

have said, what will he do when he faces a real crisis. Why can't he approach the

ordeal of his three sleeping friends with a calm confidence? Yet, when the test

came, Jesus walked to the cross with courage while his three friends fell apart

and fell away.

Charles Finney - I have never known a person to sweat blood (while praying);

but I’ve known a person to pray till blood started from his nose. And I have

known persons to pray till they were all wet with perspiration, in the coldest

weather in winter. I have known a person to pray for hours, till their strength

was all exhausted with the agony of their minds.”

Augustine’s mother - It is not possible that a child of such tears can be lost.

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭34‬:‭4‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Patience is trusting God’s timing instead of demanding your own.”

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What This Means:

• Patience isn’t about feeling calm - it’s about choosing to trust

• It’s a decision you make before the emotion kicks in

• You can choose patience even when you don’t feel patient

Application:

“The next time you’re tempted to get impatient - whether it’s with your spouse, your kids, your boss, or even God - remember this: patience is not a personality trait some people are born with. It’s a choice available to every believer.”

Life Connection:

Story of one of children learning to tie their shoes…

Think about a parent teaching a child to tie their shoes. The parent doesn’t get frustrated after the third try because they understand the process takes time. God sees our spiritual growth the same way.

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

‭‭Romans 5:3-5

What This Means:

• Trials aren’t meant to break you - they’re meant to build you

• Every test of patience is actually a gym for your faith

• Maturity can’t be microwaved - it must be cultivated

Application:

“God is more interested in your character than your comfort. He’ll often slow down your circumstances to speed up your spiritual growth.”

Life Connection:

Just like physical muscles grow stronger under resistance, your spiritual muscles grow stronger when they’re stretched by having to wait.

Kellie’s Disability: Slow Speech

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬

““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ 

What This Means:

• God’s delays are not God’s denials

• His timing is always perfect, even when we can’t see it

• Patience positions you to receive God’s best, not just something good

Application:

“Stop trying to help God out with your timeline. When you’re patient, you’re saying, ‘God, I trust that you know what you’re doing, even when I don’t understand what you’re doing.’”

Life Connection: 

• Abraham waited 25 years for Isaac. 

• Joseph waited 13 years to see his dreams fulfilled. 

• David waited 15 years between being anointed and becoming king. 

• God’s greatest blessings often come wrapped in God’s perfect timing.

PRACTICAL STEPS TO GROW IN PATIENCE

1. PRAY FIRST, REACT SECOND

“Before you respond to that frustrating situation, take it to God first. Prayer changes your perspective before it changes your circumstances.”

2. FOCUS ON WHAT GOD IS DOING, NOT WHAT HE’S NOT DOING

“In every season of waiting, God is working - sometimes on your situation, sometimes on you, always for your good.”

3. REMEMBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IN THE PAST

“Keep a  journal. Write down the times God came through when you had to wait. It will build your faith for the next time.”

“This week, I want you to identify one area where you’ve been impatient - maybe it’s a relationship, a career goal, a health issue, or a dream that seems delayed. Instead of demanding that God work faster, I challenge you to pray this prayer: ‘God, I trust your timing. Help me grow in patience while I wait for your perfect plan to unfold.’”

POINT 1: PATIENCE IS A CHOICE, NOT A FEELING
POINT 2: PATIENCE PRODUCES SPIRITUAL MATURITY
POINT 3: PATIENCE ALIGNS YOU WITH GOD’S PERFECT TIMING

1. PEACE WITH GOD 

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1

• The Problem: Sin separates us from God

• The Solution: Jesus bridges the gap

• The Result: No more guilt, no more shame, no more fear of judgment

Do you have peace with God or peace with your sin.

Some people think it means that I am okay with God now… I added him to my life I am not mad at him. THATS NOT WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS (Sin)

10 For if, while we were God’s enemies,we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Romans 5:10

 John 16:1-11 and Verse 33

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

• The Problem: Worry and anxiety

• The Solution: Prayer and trust

• The Result: Supernatural calm that doesn't make sense

As the guard looks on through a peep hole, Bonhoeffer prays, "Lord, it's dark in me; in you is day. I am alone, but you will stay. I am afraid; you never cease. I am at war; in you is peace." Slowly we see a pair of hands reach up and touch the wall opposite of where Bonhoeffer's hands are.

As dawn breaks, a single rifle shot shatters the morning calm. The same German guard, now more somber and less cynical, appears at Bonhoeffer's cell. "I thought you might like to know. The boy from the next cell—he was very calm. It surprised everyone. He was executed this morning."

Illustration #2 Anxiety and fear can come from looking to things other than God for our identity and worth. God's peace as the security that comes from knowing our identity is rooted in being beloved children of God, not in our performance, others' opinions, or our circumstances. When we know who we are in Christ, we're freed from the exhausting cycle of trying to prove ourselves.

Lose your job… You may lose yourself

Lose your Status… You may lose yourself

Lose your beauty… Lose yourself

Sexuality, gender,political ideology… Lose yourself

JEsus Cals the storm> Mark 4:39“Peace be still…”

 Rest beneath the rest

3. PEACE WITH OTHERS 

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."Romans 12:18

• The Problem: Broken relationships

• The Solution: Forgiveness and love

• The Result: Harmony in your home, workplace, and community

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." - Isaiah 26:3

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." - Philippians 4:8

Romans 12:2 be transformed to the renewing of your mind.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

The great command of scripture. “Fear not” 64 Times, “Be Strong and courageous” 15 times

Experiencing fear is a normal human emotion, and courage is not about not feeling fear, but rather about acting in spite of it

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13

2. THE PEACE OF GOD 

HOW TO EXPERIENCE GOD'S PEACE

1: FOCUS ON GOD'S CHARACTER

2: FILTER YOUR THOUGHTS

3: FACE YOUR FEARS WITH FAITH

4: FORGIVE THOSE WHO HURT YOU

God's joy isn't just a nice feeling - it's the fuel that powers you through life's greatest challenges. (law Lost for 60-100 years) They found it rebuilding the temple, Ramifications of no law is people just did what they wanted… what felt right, what seemed right.

Nehemiah 8:2-10

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ 

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." – Nehemiah 8:10

Happiness depends on what happens to you. Joy depends on what Jesus did for you.

• Happiness is external – it comes from good circumstances

• Joy is internal – it comes from your relationship with Christ

• Happiness is temporary – it changes with your situation

• Joy is permanent – it's rooted in eternal truth

A thermometer vs. a thermostat. Happiness is like a thermometer – it just reflects the temperature around it. Joy is like a thermostat – it actually changes the temperature of the room

• Kellie is a thermostat… not a thermometer.

• Peggy After her husband suddenly died… 22,000 patients visited

• My friend Chuck when he lost his Job… I suppose I will just be working here every day till I get a paying gig….

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence." – Psalm 16:11 ESV

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

3 sources of Joy:

• God’s Presence 

God is the most joyful being in the universe…  Think of some of the most joyful things you can see or here (Tunnelview, beach in Cabo, Lauderbrunene valley in Switzerland, A baby laughing) God experiences those every moment all day…. Everything beautiful and good in the whole univers. He experiences it. The joy is brings….

We pay a lot of money to get it for a moment… a fake version of it… anything that remotely tastes like joy

"All of the good and beautiful things from which we occasionally drink tiny droplets of soul-exhilarating joy, God continuously experiences in all their breadth and depth and richness."Dallas Willard 

• God’s Promises

His promise is a true north when your world gets rocked….

“Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:50

• God’s Purpose

"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete." – John 15:11

How to experience more Joy:

• FOCUS on what God has done, not what you lack

• FELLOWSHIP/COMMUNITY with other believers

• SERVE others sacrificially

• CHOOSE joy daily (Our Value of Fun, Joy in your habits like giving)

Sin, shame life is gravity… it pulls all of us down, but joy is like a rope from heaven we can hold onto when things are trying to take you down. Its hard to hold onto. But every time you hold onto the promises of God, its like you get to tie a knot. And you collect these knots over the years. So the longer you follow Christ, the more knots you have to grip. The harder it is for things and people to tke you down and steal your Joy

The Joy of the Lord is your strength

1. JOY IS DIFFERENT FROM HAPPINESS

2. THE SOURCE OF TRUE JOY 5 min
3. HOW TO EXPERIENCE MORE JOY

JOY is like a ROPE…

Sin, shame life is gravity… it pulls all of us down, but joy is like a rope from heaven we can hold onto when things are trying to take you down. Its hard to hold onto. But every time you hold onto the promises of God, its like you get to tie a knot. And you collect these knots over the years. So the longer you follow Christ, the more knots you have to grip. The harder it is for things and people to tie you down and steal your Joy

Galatians‬

The best use of life is love.

1 Corinthians‬

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But

the greatest of these is love.

The best expression of love is time.

1 Corinthians‬

The best time to love is now.

Matthew 22:34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the

Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him

with this question: 36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the

Law?”

37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all

your soul and with all your mind.’  38This is the first and greatest

commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as

yourself.’  40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two

commandments.”

If you love God first and love God most you’ll love others best.