Rediscovering Joy #2 | January 15, 2023 | Journey Church | Bozeman, Montana

Rediscovering Joy #2 | January 15, 2023
Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor

“Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.” Philippians 1:18b-26 (NIV)

Big Truth:  Joy is rooted in living for eternity.

1) Living for eternity makes sense.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)

2) We will be held accountable in eternity.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”  2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)

3) What really matters for eternity?

“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2 (NIV)

Reflection Questions:
1) In what ways did the Holy Spirit nudge your spirit from this section of Scripture? What grabbed your attention? What do you sense that God was saying to you?

2) “For to me, to live is ______________ .” How would you complete that sentence for your life? What do you value most in life? Would others observing your life make similar observations?

3) What does it mean to live for eternity or live with an eternal perspective?  How might your life be different if you more fully lived for eternity?

4) Read 2 Corinthians 5:10 and 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. What is the “judgment seat of Christ”? What things in our life would be considered gold, silver, and precious stones? What things in our life would be considered wood, hay, and straw? What is the reward that people with receive from Jesus?

5) How would you say you are investing what God has given you for eternity? What is your next step to grow in your investment in eternity?

6) If the souls of people are eternal? How can we invest our life in the lives of other people?

7) Does revolving your life around serving God and serving people bring ultimate joy to our lives? Explain. Why can it be challenging to make our life about serving other people?

8) What is one thing you can do now to live with a greater eternal perspective?

Next Steps:

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Notes Page: https://journeyweb.net/sermons/notes/2023.01.15.pdf