Joy in God through Scripture Exceeding Joy in God Series [5] Selected Scriptures June 2, 2013 Pastor Paul K. Kim

SCRIPTURE: CENTRAL TO [RE]KINDLING JOY IN GOD It is because the fight for joy in God is the fight to SEE GOD who has revealed himself in the Bible (2 Cor. 4:4; 2 Tim. 3:16). It is the ONLY OFFENSIVE SPIRITUAL WEAPON in the fight against the evil one (1 Pet. 5:18; 1 Tim. 6:12; Eph. 6:13-17). It is the SPIRITUAL FOOD FOR THE SOUL to be strengthened (Matt. 4:4; 1 Pet. 2:2). It is LIVING AND ACTIVE enough to revive our joy and to equip us for the fight for joy in God (Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12

TEN BENEFITS OF SCRIPTURE TO AWAKEN OUR DESIRE FOR GOD’S WORD 1. Strengthens faith (Rom. 10:17). Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ Rom. 10:17 2. Supplies the Spirit (Gal. 3:5). Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:5

TEN BENEFITS OF SCRIPTURE TO AWAKEN OUR DESIRE FOR GOD’S WORD 3. Sustains life (1 Pet.1:23-25; John 6:63; 20:31) 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1: Gives hope (Rom. 15:4). For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

TEN BENEFITS OF SCRIPTURE TO AWAKEN OUR DESIRE FOR GOD’S WORD 5. Leads to freedom (John 8:32; 17:17). You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 6. Key to answered prayer (John 15:7). If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

TEN BENEFITS OF SCRIPTURE TO AWAKEN OUR DESIRE FOR GOD’S WORD 7. The source of wisdom (Col. 3:16). Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom. Colossians 3:16 8. Gives crucial warnings (Psalm 19:10-11). More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:10-11

TEN BENEFITS OF SCRIPTURE TO AWAKEN OUR DESIRE FOR GOD’S WORD 9. Defeats the devil (1 John 2:14). I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:14b 10. The source of great & lasting joy (Psalm 119:97). Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Psalm 119:97

Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name O LORD, God of hosts. Jer. 15:16 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119:72 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. Psalm 119:162 I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. Psalm 119:127 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth. Ps. 119:103 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. Job 23:12

THREE KEYS IN LEARNING TO DELIGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD 1)A Right VIEW of Scripture  It is God’s infallible Word to us. (2 Tim 3:16; Matt 4:4; John 17:17; 1 Cor. 14:37)  God-centered worldview = Scripture-centered worldview.  Entering into God’s story rather than trying to fit God into our story.  Discernment when counterfeits lure us (i.e., “almost true” things or “broken cisterns”).  Submission to its supreme authority over all beliefs and conduct.

THREE KEYS IN LEARNING TO DELIGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD 2)A Right COMMITMENT to Scripture  Choose the “narrow road” to fight for joy in God through Scripture  God-centeredness = Scripture-centeredness.  Corporately: a Scripturally discerning community for ends and means.  Individually: Daily rhythms of getting into the Word (i.e., commitment to seek be satisfied by God and be happy in the Lord through Scripture).

The Most Important Thing to Do Daily The point is this: I saw more clearly than ever that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished… Now I saw, that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God and to meditation on it, so that in this way my heart might be comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, instructed; and that thus, while meditating, my heart might be brought into experiential communion with the Lord… How different it is when the soul is refreshed and made happy early in the morning, from what it is when the service, the trials, and the temptations of the day come upon one without such spiritual preparation. - George Müller

THREE KEYS IN LEARNING TO DELIGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD 3)A Right ATTITUDE toward Scripture  “Let it be to me according to Your Word” (Luke 1:38) should be the way we ought to approach Scripture—i.e., a priori resolve to believe and obey.  Abandon bad habits. (e.g., like a fridge/fortune-cookie/tax- law/yellow-page; eisegesis)  Acquire good habits. (e.g., a lighthouse/love- letter/mirror/lamp/cow-chewing; exegesis)

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.In what ways am I convinced more of my need for God’s word in my everyday life? What will I do about it? 2.What can I do/change to have a right view of Scripture and a right commitment to the Word of God? 3.How do I fight to have a right attitude and approach toward God’s word each day? What is my first step?