Title: Have You Experienced the Joy of Doing God's Will?
Text:
Hebrews 12:1-4 (HCSB)
1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won't grow weary and lose heart. 4 In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Observation:
We need to remember that we are currently living in the world; this is not heaven. Jesus told His followers then, and He tells us today the reality of life in this present world.
John 16:33 (HCSB)
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."
I read this quote from Tony Evans this morning:
"Peace doesn't mean you won't have problems. Peace means your problems won't have you".
We should never forget that this Christian race is a marathon, and not a sprint. Running a marathon requires endurance; we can make it to the finish line if we keep our eyes on Jesus. He knows the way, He shows us the way, and He has promised that He would go with us all the way.
We have the example of the Old Testament saints to encourage us.
Romans 15:4 (HCSB)
For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.
But, most of all, we have the example of Jesus to encourage us, to help us, to lead us, and to empower us to finish the race, and win the prize. Why not experience the joy of obeying the will of God; to be happy in Jesus; is to trust and obey. Finally, learn to view life through the lens of eternity. Whatever you going through remember it won't last forever.
Psalm 30:5 (HCSB)
For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor, a lifetime. Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning.
Prayer:
Father God, I ask that You give Your people the grace that we need to be the people of God that You want us to be. Lord, by Your mercy may we experience the joy of obedience. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
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Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
4 But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
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