Jumpin’ for Joy!
August 31, 2008
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Text: Psalm 51:12-13
Granny Clampett - singin’ “joy, joy, joy,” while brewin’ moonshine - Tennessee tranquilizer!
Point - The paradox - a mixture of God and the world?
Truth: We are in a constant struggle! Flesh and faith!
Example - “So What?” What do I care? How does that matter to me? What’s in it for me?
How do we keep the joy of God’s salvation? How do we prevent the dreaded “so what?” from ruling our lives?
1) Ask God to keep working on you!
V12
Restore me - bring back - remind me of grace and mercy! Keep working on me! Growing me
I shall not be tranquilized by sin! Guilt!
1) Heal me! Repent! Old cars eroding! The hurts, hang-ups, and habits you have not given to God. Live restored! What model are you?
2) Stretch me! Don’t settle! Life after people? If you settle, you erode!
You have a gift - you have a great capacity!
”The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” - Romans 6:11
2) Ask God to strengthen you!
V12 - ”Grant me . . .” - We have good intentions - start strong - then peter out!
Fight to stay awake
”Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’” - Matthew 26:41
1) Willing spirit - God’s spirit – ”For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”
2) The flesh wants you to sleep! “Me” mentality - ”For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”
How?
A) Faith
“’For nothing is impossible with God.’ ‘I am the Lord's servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.” - Luke 1:38
B) Heavenly caffeine - God’s presence! Prayer, and His word! What strength you will find!
Conclusion
Truth illustration
”Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.’ But the people said nothing.” - 1 Kings 18:21
What will you say? Is the Joy of Jesus in my heart to stay? Let’s be people jumpin’ for joy!
Restored! Sustained! Carrying out our assignment as Christians!