LEARNING DAILY

Hebrews 1:8-9, But of the Son He says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."

Pastor Ed Newton’s message was too long to cover in one page of the blog. Remember he was talking about Jesus walking in joy and He wants all Believers to walk in that same joy. Here is the rest of what he said!

He addresses why Believers might not be walking in the joy only Jesus can give. First, our flesh – earthly ambitions, the desire for affirmation from others, and the drive to be accepted by others – can cause Believers to walk in the joy Jesus gives. Fear! “Fear causes us to do all we can to control these situations because we seem to think we can produce a better outcome than God. The believer’s flesh (self) is always at war with being led by the Holy Spirit” (EN). Pastor said, “What we want, we need is often at war with what God knows we need.” Pastor also said there was nothing wrong with ambition, seeking affirmation, and desire to be accepted; however, one cannot chase these things instead of honoring God.

“There is nothing wrong in having ‘stuff’. Joy is not having stuff, accolades, success, or even striving for this. But joy is not found in these things. Joy is knowing one can have stuff but will not lose their joy when these things are gone” (EN). Here is what Pastor said to remember. You cannot allow the flesh to win. Each day you must get up, “die to self, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus” (Matthew 16:24), put on the armor of God, set your mind on walking and following God.

Walking with God on the narrow way produces visible fruit. Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” The second fruit is highlighted so you would catch the fruit of joy! “Fruit is not the product of anyone working on attaining it. It is the result of walking with Jesus. The closer you walk with Him [on the narrow way in obedience], the more you talk with Him [prayer], and the more time you spend with Him [reading/studying/meditating on His Word], the greater one’s joy becomes [along with the rest of the fruit]” (EN).

As Believers are faithful – being on time, being joyful when things are not going so well, being joyful when all things are lost – others who are watching see and may want what you have. God gives His favor, often placing them in areas where only He can use them to fulfill His plan.

It is up to the Believer to pursue God. Believers need more passion for Jesus! John 15:1-5 tells Believers to “abide in Him.” I really like what Pastor said here. “Are you only in the Word of God on Sunday when in church? Do you only eat once per week? Being in God’s Word is about feeding on the Bread of Life every day.” John 15:9-10 tell Believers that keeping God’s commandments will keep them abiding in His love. “People who say they love Jesus but do not love His Word; it is because it confronts their lifestyle” (EN). I will let you consider that statement.

Pursing God aligns Believers by telling them when their life needs to get back on the narrow way with Him, to live the life He wants them to live. The Holy Spirit may want you to go in a different direction than you are presently heading. Listen to His leading; be obedient!

The takeaway statement on the sermon notes is good to end on today. The world produces madness, the Flesh produces madness, but the Spirit of God produces Gladness.