Fullness of Joy

Psalm 16:11  --  You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

This verse probably deserves an entire sermon series all to itself.  First, consider the idea of "fullness of joy."  God has graciously granted us the opportunity to experience joy in this life despite this world's profound brokenness.  Thanks to the Fall and man's sinfulness, this world is filled with heartache and sorrow.  It seems like all news is bad news.  As humans, we have the terrible talent of messing things up.  When God created this world, He looked at all of it and said, "It is good."  Now, we are surrounded with "it is bad."  But, as bad as it may seem sometimes, it could be much worse.  God has granted us many, many gifts that bring us joy in the midst of this broken world.  We should be extremely grateful for that.  

So we know what joy feels like, but we have no idea what "fullness of joy" must feel like.  We won't know that until we get to eternity.  Everything there "is very good."  Sin is gone.  Pain is gone. Death is gone.  Heaven will be empty of all things that steal joy.  So eternity will be wonderful because of what is not there.  But it will be even more wonderful because of what will be there.  Loved ones and all the perfected saints, beauty like our imaginations cannot fathom, activities that will delight us and never grow boring, blessing upon blessing, never-ending.  Incredible joy!  But all of those will still lack the ability to give us "fullness of joy."  There is only one thing that can bring the creature "fullness of joy," and that is the Creator Himself.  Being in the presence of God will bring "joy unspeakable and full of glory."  We cannot imagine the joy that we will experience because of all the things that will not be in eternity and all the things that will be in eternity.  And yet, the joy of being in the presence of God will make all those other things seem dim compared to His glory---far more unimaginable than even the lesser things that are yet beyond our imagination.  "Fullness of joy."  That is the eternal destiny of every believer in Jesus.  But to be separated from God for eternity....that will be the exact opposite---the absolute absence of joy and the unimaginable experience of extreme pain and loss.  Oh friend, make sure you are headed for the presence of God!

Notice that there is a path of life.  Man fell into sin and the path of death, but God has graciously made a path of life.  Proverbs 14:12 says," There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."  So there is a path of life, and there is a path that leads to death.  Man, even when he wants to seek the right path, ends up on a path of death.  It seems right to him!  But he's wrong.  

Also, we observe that God must "show me" the path of life.  Praise God that He made a way to life.  Praise God that He opens our blind eyes and shows us the way to life.  And what is this "life" the psalmist speaks of?  Where is this joy?  It's in the presence of God.  

John 17:3 -- "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

Free Will and Assurance of Salvation?

Salvation is not a one-time event in your life.  It’s not a prayer you prayed sometime in the past.  Salvation is by grace through faith.  Faith is a moment by moment trust in Jesus to save you from the wrath to come.  It’s a constant choosing of Christ as your Lord and Savior.  You don’t choose Christ at some point in your past, but then choose to not follow Him and not trust in Him for your salvation for the rest of your life, and think you’re somehow not in any danger. 

So if salvation depends on you choosing Christ—exercising your will—to constantly trust in Him for your salvation (and it does), two questions arise:

1)      Can I have assurance of salvation?

2)      Do I have something to boast in?

Assurance

“Once saved, always saved” is a familiar adage.  It’s true that salvation cannot be taken away from you.  God will not revoke His offer.  Satan cannot snatch you out of God’s hand.  If you are truly trusting in Him alone for salvation, you are safe, and nothing can change that.  But a possession of faith is far different than a profession of faith.  It’s possible to be motivated to respond to a gospel invitation for various reasons and make a profession of faith, but not actually possess saving faith.  Saving faith is that constant trust in Christ alone to save you.  It’s evidenced by a life of sanctification—an ongoing process of conviction for sin, repentance, and becoming more and more like Christ. 

Now, if salvation involves a consistent faith—a moment by moment choosing of and trusting in Christ; and if our theology says that our will has the ability to make the right choice regarding Christ without the sovereign grace of God providing that necessary faith; then we can have no assurance of our salvation.  If your salvation depends on whether or not you continue making the right choice—don’t change your mind—until your death, then you can have no assurance, because you cannot guarantee yourself that you will not fall from the faith. 

However, if it’s God’s department to give the gift of saving faith necessary to choose Christ; if it’s God’s department to keep you in the faith; then you have every reason to believe you will be kept in the faith, and thus have full assurance of your salvation.  If God has chosen you, your faith will be sustained by His sovereign grace and power, and you will endure to the end. 

   

Boasting

Also, if salvation involves a consistent faith—a moment by moment choosing of and trusting in Christ; and if our theology says that our will has the ability to make the right choice regarding Christ without the sovereign grace of God providing that necessary faith; then we have something to boast in.  We have the ultimate say-so in whether or not we are saved, because we have the ability to choose Christ on our own, and to keep choosing Christ.  So ultimately, our salvation depends on us—our choosing of Christ without any gift of faith from Christ to do so.  We’re not kept by His power, but by our own power, and we have something to boast in.  When we get to Heaven, we can brag to everyone about how we chose Christ, and kept choosing Christ, despite the earthly temptations, pressures, persecutions, etc. 

However, if it’s God’s department to give the gift of saving faith necessary to choose Christ; if it’s God’s department to keep you in the faith; then when we get to Heaven, we will fall down at His feet and thank Him and worship Him forever for saving us.  We will have nothing to boast in, but join with all the saints and say, “All the way my Savior led me!  The only reason I am here is because of Jesus!  I have nothing to boast in except His love, and grace, and mercy, and His choosing of me despite my rebellion against Him.” 

   

Great River, God's Word

 

Behold, a tower of strength by the river

   a tree whose roots drink deep

See its delight as it tastes of the water

   and sways in wisdom's breeze

The water, an anchor that keeps the tree steady

   yet sets the branches free

Great river, God's Word, a flow never ending

   I long to grow in thee

(inspired by Psalm 1)

Adopted By Grace

Shut out the world for a moment, and imagine...

Imagine that you are a 12 year old boy or girl--an orphan. For as long as you can remember, you have dreamed of and longed for becoming the object of someone's love--belonging to someone. But days of dreaming and disappointment have turned into weeks, weeks into months, and now months have turned into years. Common sense tells you to give up on such thoughts of being wanted, but the hope inside of you is a stubborn thread from which your heart hangs.

Time and time again, your orphanage has hosted people looking for a child to adopt, and time and time again you have been passed by. For one reason or another, you have never been what they were looking for. You assume that today will be no different as an announcement is made that others will be entering the orphanage and possibly selecting a child to give their last name to.

Your back is to the door as the first family enters. You know there is no point in turning to face their direction, but you can't help but glance over your shoulder to get a look at the prospective family. Immediately you know there's no chance this family will want you. Their skin is a different color. Sure enough, they glance your way once and never again. Later in the day another family walks in. Again you are instantly sure that this family will go home with someone else. They already have two children younger than you are, and almost never does a family adopt a child that would be older than the children already in their home.

Soon after they are gone, a young couple comes into the room. You quickly discover that they are very energetic, very active, and very athletic. They'll want a child who promises to be very coordinated and athletic. You can barely chew gum and walk at the same time.

As the day draws closer to an end, another family enters. You strain to hear their conversation with others and learn that this family is very gifted and places a high value on excellence in academics. Your very best is normally a C+.

Another day of broken expectations. Another pair of tears down the sides of your cheek. Again you have been rejected...wrong color, too old, too clumsy, not very smart.

But just then, the door opens one more time. Entering is a man, and not just any man. Immediately it is obvious that this man is something special. He's followed by several others who appear to be servants. His stature is intimidating, yet you detect a gentleness in his eyes that you have never seen before. His clothing is the finest than can be found anywhere, and the brilliance of the crown on his head almost makes him impossible for your eyes to look at.

This is a king.

Then you notice by his side is a son -- a prince. He's about your age, and he walks through the room hand in hand with his father. It's clear to everyone that they have a very special bond. Your mind begins to daydream of what it would be like to be that boy, to be a prince, and to have and to experience everything the son of such a father would have and experience. Your heart leaps at the thought, but not for long. Reality rushes in and crushes your moment. Certainly you will be more quickly rejected this time than you have ever been before.

As you turn to hide the next series of tears and walk away, a hand touches your shoulder. You look up into the eyes of the king, and energy races through your spirit. "I want this one," says the king in a voice that is as strong as thunder but at the same time as soft as rain.

To your horror, the director of the orphanage steps forward and declares that the only way the king can take you home is if an exchange is made: the prince must take your place and remain at the orphanage. You know for sure the deal is off now. But to your surprise, the king turns to his son and asks, "Son, will you take the place of this child so that they might become mine?" Your eyes meet with those of the prince. You expect him to say "No way," but you sense a struggle taking place behind those eyes. The prince seems torn between a desire to be with his father, and a desire to please him by staying. You see love for his father in his eyes, but you also sense love in his eyes for you. "Yes, father, I will take his place."
Before you can believe it, papers are signed, the prince has placed his crown on your head, and he takes your place in the orphanage as you take his place in the father's arms.

My friend, if you have believed and received Christ as your Savior and your Lord, then this is not an imaginary story...it's your story. Everyone else may reject you. God should reject you. But oh what love, what grace, what a miracle -- the sovereign of the whole universe has adopted you as His beloved. Live this day and every day in the light of this unfathomable love!

The Lamb is the Light

Darkness... Whether you are talking about it literally or figuratively, darkness is not a positive thing. Darkness is fear, doubt, confusion, delusion, loneliness, dangerous. No wonder the first act of a good and gracious God in creation was to say, "Let there be light." But we learn that God is not just the Creator of light, but the very source of it. "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." [1 John 1:5] Darkness and all that it represents is overcome and dispelled by the Light. The powers of death and darkness, as potent as they may be, have no chance when confronted with the God of light.

In Revelation 21:23 we are told about the glory of our eternal abode: "The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light." Have you ever considered that the pearly gates, the golden streets, the crystal river, every splendid object of Heaven would be absolutely impossible to behold or enjoy if it were not for the presence of the glory of Christ? Without the light of the Lamb, Heaven would be just as dark, just as desolate, just as depressing as Hell.

Praise God that the Light was sent into the darkness of this world. Praise God that the Light conquered the powers of darkness. Praise God that the Light is the way, the truth and the life -- has shined His light on the only path that leads to the Father. Praise God that the Light conquered the grave and is seated at the Father's right hand, there providing the light that exposes the glories of Heaven to the constant wonder and enjoyment of the saints in the light.

The Climax

Hopelessness would crush my soul if it were up to me
To hold on tightly to salvation for eternity
More and more I am convinced I’ve nothing good to gain
If not for that dear spotless Lamb who Calvary has slain

Fear would be my constant state if it were not for this:
Near my Savior came to me; my heart He could not miss
For from the starting of this world His grace at me did aim
And with the price of His own blood my soul He had laid claim

Joy is mine for all my sin He granted forgiveness
And in His hand awaits for me a crown of righteousness
What greater thing could I be given when His face I see?
The climax of my life will be to lay it at His feet

Why do you do what you do?

Ultimately, we all have one underlying motivation behind everything we do. You might ask a thousand people that question and receive a thousand different answers, but all those answers would end up falling into one of two categories: love for God, or love for self.

Moses taught that the highest calling of every human is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength (Deut. 6:5).” Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 22:37 (see also Mark 12:30). Notice that you are commanded to love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. In other words, it is not appropriate (nor is it possible) to love God with a percentage of your life, but love other things with the remaining percentage. Your love for God should be the sum total of why you do what you do. If you “love” God with only a percentage of your heart, soul, mind and strength, then upon close evaluation it is likely you will find that your “love” for God is only a means to loving yourself.

Why do you love God? If someone were to answer that question, “Because of all He has given me,” what does this answer reveal? What if God took away all the things He had given them—would they stop loving God? If they would, then this reveals that they only “loved” God because they loved themselves.

But aren’t we supposed to love other people and not just God? How are we supposed to love God with 100% of our being and still have love left over for others? I think the answer to that question is found again in the area of motivation. For instance, what is the primary motivation behind your love for your spouse? There may be many reasons for why you love your spouse, but the primary reason ought to be because you love God. God created them, brought them to you, married them to you, and then commanded you to love one another as you love yourself (Matt. 22:38, Eph. 5:25-28). Yes, we are to love them, because that’s a part of our loving God. Sometimes I don’t “feel” like loving my wife, yet I choose to love her anyways. Why? Because I love God, and I understand that He expects me to love my wife even when I don’t feel like loving my wife. On some days I don’t feel like working hard, but I do anyhow. Why? Because I love God, and I understand that He expects me to give my best at whatever my hand finds to do even when my love for myself objects to working hard (Eccl. 10:9; Col. 3:23). The only way you can love someone or something else more than you love yourself is by loving God first and fully. He is love. He is the Author of love. He is the source of love. And He is to be the ultimate object of love.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” -- 1 John 4:7-8