WestGate Church Teaching

Comparison has, perhaps, never been easier In our age of digital apps that allow us to monitor and compare our lives to other people 24/7. But comparison usually doesn’t lead to joy - it robs us both when we compare downward to make ourselves feel better and it robs us when we compare upwards, neglecting to think about the gifts that God has given to us. We explore the way out of this joy-stealing comparison trap and how to cultivate resilient joy.

“Why can’t you be more like your brother?” If comparison is the thief of joy, then that thievery often starts when we’re pretty young. The Davids (Tieche and Kim) talk honestly about the wounds that caused comparison to become their constant companion - and the Scriptures and experiences that God used to begin to free them of it. BONUS: Also, David talks to one of his two favorite teenagers about the topic of shame - and she shares wisdom beyond her years.

“Why can’t you be more like your brother?” If comparison is the thief of joy, then that thievery often starts when we’re pretty young. The Davids (Tieche and Kim) talk honestly about the wounds that caused comparison to become their constant companion - and the Scriptures and experiences that God used to begin to free them of it. BONUS: Also, David talks to one of his two favorite teenagers about the topic of shame - and she shares wisdom beyond her years.

Comparison has, perhaps, never been easier In our age of digital apps that allow us to monitor and compare our lives to other people 24/7. But comparison usually doesn’t lead to joy - it robs us both when we compare downward to make ourselves feel better and it robs us when we compare upwards, neglecting to think about the gifts that God has given to us. We explore the way out of this joy-stealing comparison trap and how to cultivate resilient joy.

Pastor Tim Keller once wrote that our modern culture is perhaps the worst in history at helping its members face suffering. This is bad news because we all live in this modern culture AND suffering seems to be an inevitable part of life. But! The teachings of Jesus and the lessons of Scripture DO help us not only understand and brace ourselves for suffering, but also provide us with the means to discover not only meaning, but also joy, even in the middle of deep suffering. Jay Kim stops by to discuss this on this week’s AfterWord.

As we continue our exploration of joy, we ask the difficult question: is joy possible in the midst of suffering? This question matters because life involves suffering. Suffering and sorrow are universal and undeniable parts of human experience. And as we examine the Biblical story and the teachings of Jesus, we see that the Scriptures not only tell us what to expect regarding suffering, but show us how to retain a deep sense of hope and a steadfast belief in God’s goodness (joy!) even in the middle of terrible suffering.

The 1940 portrait painting of Jesus by American artist Warner Sallman, called “
The Head of Christ,” has been reproduced more than half a billion times. Yes, billion with a “b.” In this painting, Jesus is looking quite…serious. There’s not even a hint of a smile. This is often how many think of Jesus—dour and glum. Yet Jesus’ own teachings tell us that joy is the mark of someone who follows Him and knows God the Father. Ironic, huh? Andy Gridley and Jay Kim stop by to examine Dallas Willard’s claim that “God is the most joyous being in the entire Universe” and how that reality can change us. BONUS CONTENT: There’s also an attempt by David Tieche and Josh Fox to write the *perfect* modern worship song. If you like heresy and bad singing, well, check it out.

The belief that a “return to normal” post-COVID will automatically take us to new levels of joy is actually a miscalculation. The reality is, many of us weren’t all that joyful before the pandemic and we won’t be all that joyful just because the pandemic is over. As humans, we all tend to chase “sparks”—momentary pleasures disguised as “joy.” But in the Bible, joy is not a passing feelings, but deep and pervasive sense of God and His goodness. And if joy is God’s basic character, then as those made in the image of God, and especially as followers of Jesus, joy must become our basic character.

In Exodus 15, we see a beautiful song that’s sung by the Hebrew people that memorializes the faithfulness of God in rescuing them from Egypt. An in that song, we’re reminded of the power of music and song to remember. We find that singing brings memory to life. And we learn that as we sing truth, we begin to move from simply knowing to embodying and experiencing.

Do you remember the first song that you absolutely LOVED? Of course you do. Because you love it. Music has an almost indescribable power to connect us to ourselves, to moments, to life and to each other. But this week, Jay Kim stops by to talk about the theological and spiritual power of music to shape and form us - to connect us to God. We talk about the first song in the Bible (Exodus 15), why that song is so important, why our weekend services include singing worship songs (and why that matters) and the state of modern worship music. Jay also reveals his first favorite song - and the answer will shock - SHOCK! - you.

BONUS CONTENT: There’s also an attempt by David Tieche and Josh Fox to write the *perfect* modern worship song. If you like heresy and bad singing, well, check it out.