October 26, 2024 • 8 mins
Feeling lost amidst life's trials and wondering where all the joy has gone? Join us on Beyond Sunday as Pastor Nick unravels the profound teachings of Jesus in John chapter 16, exploring how we can find unshakeable joy even in the darkest times. Imagine hearing Jesus speak of joy just as he's preparing his disciples for the most difficult days of their lives. We explore how this joy isn't tied to our circumstances but is a transformative experience that turns grief into something beautiful, much like a gardener pruning roses for the blooms to come.
Through personal stories and real-life examples, Pastor Nick offers insights into understanding God's purpose during tough times. Reflect on your life's pruning moments and consider what might need trimming to welcome new joy. We delve into the concept of resurrection transformation as a foundation for joy that no one can take away, rooted in the resurrection story. Whether you're facing a flood of confusion or loss, this episode offers hope and clarity, highlighting the importance of seeking God not just for outcomes but for understanding life's trials. Tune in to find inspiration and practical advice on nurturing a heart anchored in faith.
Through personal stories and real-life examples, Pastor Nick offers insights into understanding God's purpose during tough times. Reflect on your life's pruning moments and consider what might need trimming to welcome new joy. We delve into the concept of resurrection transformation as a foundation for joy that no one can take away, rooted in the resurrection story. Whether you're facing a flood of confusion or loss, this episode offers hope and clarity, highlighting the importance of seeking God not just for outcomes but for understanding life's trials. Tune in to find inspiration and practical advice on nurturing a heart anchored in faith.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Beyond Sunday, where we explore how the
truths of Scripture impact oureveryday lives.
I'm Pastor Nick, and todaywe're diving into a topic that
resonates with anyone who'sfaced trials finding real-world
joy, as Jesus describes in Johnchapter 16.
Have you ever found yourselfasking where has all the joy
gone, especially after toughtimes?
(00:20):
Truth is, you're not alone.
Today, we explore how Jesus notonly addresses this question,
but provides a profound answerthat can change how you and I
view every challenge we face.
Imagine the scene for a moment.
Jesus is sharing his finalmoments with his disciples,
preparing them for the hardestdays of their lives his
(00:42):
crucifixion and amidst thesomber setting, he talks about
joy.
Can you imagine that he'stelling them that he's not going
to be around for a while?
He's talking about all thehardships they're going to
endure, and then he begins totalk about joy.
And this isn't just any joy.
It's a joy that transcendscircumstances, a joy that is
(01:03):
complete, a joy that he'sfeeling even though he's facing
the cross.
So let's take a moment andunpack these life-changing
truths.
Let's start by understandingGod's process.
Jesus doesn't shy away fromtelling his disciples about the
tough times ahead, but he alsopromises a hopeful outcome.
In John, chapter 16, verses 16through 18, jesus confuses the
(01:27):
disciples with talk of leavingand then seeing them again.
It's a conversation filled withmystery, but promises clarity
and revelation.
It's interesting because, as hesays this and they're confused,
the first thing they do isbegin to ask each other.
They talk to each other.
What do you think he means?
What do you think he means?
I'm confused.
(01:47):
Are you confused, instead ofstopping and asking Jesus
himself?
I remember when our communityfaced a big flood.
It was confusing and tough andgrappling with loss and
uncertainty, and this happenedrecently.
Yet it was during this timethat many of us found a deeper
understanding of community andGod's unchanging presence.
So, when you face confusingtimes, take a moment to pause
(02:11):
and seek God.
Ask him not just for theoutcomes you want, but for
understanding.
I think we miss that prayer sooften.
Our prayers are usually aboutthe outcomes God, I want this to
happen, I need this to happen.
God, please do this.
But we never stop and say God,help me understand.
Help me understand why thetrial is coming, help me
understand the direction thatyou're taking me and when that's
(02:34):
happening.
When you begin to pray thoseprayers, keep a journal of these
times.
You'll often find clarity asyou look back and see how God
has woven a tapestry of gracethrough your trials.
I think it's one of the biggestthings we miss in this
Christian walk and we see it allthroughout Scripture.
But it's setting those momentsof reminder, it's journaling, so
we can step back and see whereGod did something incredible in
(02:58):
our lives In the midst of thetrial.
We miss it every time, but it'salmost always 2020 that we can
look back and say, yep, Iremember when God did that.
I didn't see it at the time,but, man, it was incredible.
Joy often requires a journeythrough grief, where you and I
let go of what was to embracewhat will be.
John 16, 20 promises that griefwill turn into joy.
(03:22):
It's a powerful reminder thatour pain is not pointless.
It doesn't say that your griefwill be replaced with joy.
So he's taking something awayand giving something to.
He's actually taking that grief, that hard situation, those
tough times, and he's turningthose things into joy.
Consider a gardener pruningroses.
(03:44):
The cuts seem harsh, the losssignificant, yet this very act
ensures the health and beauty ofthe blooms to come.
For you, think about what inyour life might need pruning
Perhaps attitudes orrelationships that drain more
than they enrich.
Making these tough cuts can bethe path to new joy.
Start with one smallintentional change this week Now
(04:07):
.
Next, let's consider theresurrection transformation, a
fundamental basis for our joy.
In John 16, 22, jesus talksabout a joy that no one will
take away, rooted in theresurrection story his and
potentially ours.
I met someone recently who losteverything in a fire.
The rebuilding process wastough, but he shared how,
(04:31):
through the loss, he found a newperspective on what was truly
valuable in his life Faith,family, a renewed sense of
purpose.
Not all the things that he lost.
Even though he mourned thosethings, he grieved, if you will,
for those things.
Yes, jesus took that situationand brought him joy.
So for you, look for a situationwhere you feel there's been a
(04:54):
death, maybe a dream, a plan, arelationship, and ask God to
show you how it can be a doorwayto a new life.
So what new opportunities canthis ending create?
I used to love those books as achild that you've gotten to
pick the story.
I don't know if you rememberthose, I don't even know if they
exist today, but you would readto the end of a chapter and
(05:16):
then it would say what do youwant to happen next?
And it would give you twooptions and, based on what
option you chose, determinedwhat chapter you turn to next.
You didn't just go to the nextchapter, and I think that's a
great analogy for our life.
God can take those things thatseem like they're a dead end or
the end of the book, and he cancreate a new ending, a new
(05:37):
opportunity for you.
Our joy is deeply connected toour prayer life.
Jesus emphasizes the power ofasking in his name.
John 16, 23, and 24 highlightsthat asking in Jesus' name isn't
just about prayer request.
It's about aligning with God'scharacter and desire.
True prayer involves openness,honesty and a willingness to let
(06:02):
God reshape our desires.
So, for you, enhance yourprayer practice by setting aside
specific times for deep,undistracted communication with
God.
Now, I did use the term prayerpractice because the more you
pray, the better you're going tobecome at it, the more
comfortable you'll become withthose conversations with God.
(06:25):
And so set aside time, specifictime, for deep, undistracted
communication with God.
Try starting your day with fiveminutes of silent contemplation
, offering your day up to Godand asking Him to fill it with
His presence and His purpose.
Now, as we close today'sdiscussion on finding real-world
(06:48):
joy, remember that this isn't ajoy that's dependent on
external circumstances, butrather on a deep internal truth
that Jesus shares with us.
This week, I encourage you toreflect on these teachings.
Lean into understanding God'sprocess, embracing the necessary
pruning, seek resurrection,transformation, and deepen your
(07:09):
prayer life.
Thank you for joining me today.
May your week be filled withthe kind of joy that Jesus
promises, one that nocircumstance can diminish Until
next time.
Keep walking in faith andfinding joy in your journey with
Christ.
Welcome to Beyond Sunday, where we explore how the
truths of Scripture impact oureveryday lives.
I'm Pastor Nick, and todaywe're diving into a topic that
resonates with anyone who'sfaced trials finding real-world
joy, as Jesus describes in Johnchapter 16.
Have you ever found yourselfasking where has all the joy
gone, especially after toughtimes?
(00:20):
Truth is, you're not alone.
Today, we explore how Jesus notonly addresses this question,
but provides a profound answerthat can change how you and I
view every challenge we face.
Imagine the scene for a moment.
Jesus is sharing his finalmoments with his disciples,
preparing them for the hardestdays of their lives his
(00:42):
crucifixion and amidst thesomber setting, he talks about
joy.
Can you imagine that he'stelling them that he's not going
to be around for a while?
He's talking about all thehardships they're going to
endure, and then he begins totalk about joy.
And this isn't just any joy.
It's a joy that transcendscircumstances, a joy that is
(01:03):
complete, a joy that he'sfeeling even though he's facing
the cross.
So let's take a moment andunpack these life-changing
truths.
Let's start by understandingGod's process.
Jesus doesn't shy away fromtelling his disciples about the
tough times ahead, but he alsopromises a hopeful outcome.
In John, chapter 16, verses 16through 18, jesus confuses the
(01:27):
disciples with talk of leavingand then seeing them again.
It's a conversation filled withmystery, but promises clarity
and revelation.
It's interesting because, as hesays this and they're confused,
the first thing they do isbegin to ask each other.
They talk to each other.
What do you think he means?
What do you think he means?
I'm confused.
(01:47):
Are you confused, instead ofstopping and asking Jesus
himself?
I remember when our communityfaced a big flood.
It was confusing and tough andgrappling with loss and
uncertainty, and this happenedrecently.
Yet it was during this timethat many of us found a deeper
understanding of community andGod's unchanging presence.
So, when you face confusingtimes, take a moment to pause
(02:11):
and seek God.
Ask him not just for theoutcomes you want, but for
understanding.
I think we miss that prayer sooften.
Our prayers are usually aboutthe outcomes God, I want this to
happen, I need this to happen.
God, please do this.
But we never stop and say God,help me understand.
Help me understand why thetrial is coming, help me
understand the direction thatyou're taking me and when that's
(02:34):
happening.
When you begin to pray thoseprayers, keep a journal of these
times.
You'll often find clarity asyou look back and see how God
has woven a tapestry of gracethrough your trials.
I think it's one of the biggestthings we miss in this
Christian walk and we see it allthroughout Scripture.
But it's setting those momentsof reminder, it's journaling, so
we can step back and see whereGod did something incredible in
(02:58):
our lives In the midst of thetrial.
We miss it every time, but it'salmost always 2020 that we can
look back and say, yep, Iremember when God did that.
I didn't see it at the time,but, man, it was incredible.
Joy often requires a journeythrough grief, where you and I
let go of what was to embracewhat will be.
John 16, 20 promises that griefwill turn into joy.
(03:22):
It's a powerful reminder thatour pain is not pointless.
It doesn't say that your griefwill be replaced with joy.
So he's taking something awayand giving something to.
He's actually taking that grief, that hard situation, those
tough times, and he's turningthose things into joy.
Consider a gardener pruningroses.
(03:44):
The cuts seem harsh, the losssignificant, yet this very act
ensures the health and beauty ofthe blooms to come.
For you, think about what inyour life might need pruning
Perhaps attitudes orrelationships that drain more
than they enrich.
Making these tough cuts can bethe path to new joy.
Start with one smallintentional change this week Now
(04:07):
.
Next, let's consider theresurrection transformation, a
fundamental basis for our joy.
In John 16, 22, jesus talksabout a joy that no one will
take away, rooted in theresurrection story his and
potentially ours.
I met someone recently who losteverything in a fire.
The rebuilding process wastough, but he shared how,
(04:31):
through the loss, he found a newperspective on what was truly
valuable in his life Faith,family, a renewed sense of
purpose.
Not all the things that he lost.
Even though he mourned thosethings, he grieved, if you will,
for those things.
Yes, jesus took that situationand brought him joy.
So for you, look for a situationwhere you feel there's been a
(04:54):
death, maybe a dream, a plan, arelationship, and ask God to
show you how it can be a doorwayto a new life.
So what new opportunities canthis ending create?
I used to love those books as achild that you've gotten to
pick the story.
I don't know if you rememberthose, I don't even know if they
exist today, but you would readto the end of a chapter and
(05:16):
then it would say what do youwant to happen next?
And it would give you twooptions and, based on what
option you chose, determinedwhat chapter you turn to next.
You didn't just go to the nextchapter, and I think that's a
great analogy for our life.
God can take those things thatseem like they're a dead end or
the end of the book, and he cancreate a new ending, a new
(05:37):
opportunity for you.
Our joy is deeply connected toour prayer life.
Jesus emphasizes the power ofasking in his name.
John 16, 23, and 24 highlightsthat asking in Jesus' name isn't
just about prayer request.
It's about aligning with God'scharacter and desire.
True prayer involves openness,honesty and a willingness to let
(06:02):
God reshape our desires.
So, for you, enhance yourprayer practice by setting aside
specific times for deep,undistracted communication with
God.
Now, I did use the term prayerpractice because the more you
pray, the better you're going tobecome at it, the more
comfortable you'll become withthose conversations with God.
(06:25):
And so set aside time, specifictime, for deep, undistracted
communication with God.
Try starting your day with fiveminutes of silent contemplation
, offering your day up to Godand asking Him to fill it with
His presence and His purpose.
Now, as we close today'sdiscussion on finding real-world
(06:48):
joy, remember that this isn't ajoy that's dependent on
external circumstances, butrather on a deep internal truth
that Jesus shares with us.
This week, I encourage you toreflect on these teachings.
Lean into understanding God'sprocess, embracing the necessary
pruning, seek resurrection,transformation, and deepen your
(07:09):
prayer life.
Thank you for joining me today.
May your week be filled withthe kind of joy that Jesus
promises, one that nocircumstance can diminish Until
next time.
Keep walking in faith andfinding joy in your journey with
Christ.
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