What Comes First: The Leaping or the Joy? | Pastor Greg Ford | One Church Columbus

ICEBREAKER:

Who is the greatest athlete of all time, and why?

MESSAGE NOTES:

[Luke 6:20-26]

Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. 24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

Think Better - Do Better - Become Better

[Romans 12:2]

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

[Colossians 3:10]

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

[Ephesians 4:23]

let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

[Ephesians 5:10-11]

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness…

[John 9:1-3]

Now as Jesus was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth, 2and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned…”

When you’re trying to get to where you are trying to go, don’t forget that it matters HOW you get there.

[Luke 6:23]

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

It’s better to act your way into a feeling, than to feel your way into an action.

[I Peter 5:10]

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

QUESTION 1: What is the biggest obstacle that is currently standing between you and daily joy in Christ?

QUESTION 2: Have you ever felt your way into an action vs. acting your way toward a feeling? How do you know the difference?

QUESTION 3: What was your biggest takeaway from this particular text & these events in scripture, and how can you practically apply it to your life today?

GUIDED PRAYER:

God thank you that I am blessed. Thank you that you give joy as a gift, and that it can be my strength in you. Help me to be led by your spirit to have clear perspective on my current situation, and to be able to see it with your eyes, through the lens of joy, as a fruit of the spirit. Amen.

One ChurchMay 1, 2023