Central Truth

The indwelling and filling of the Holy Spirit is not only essential, but the centrality of our Christian life. This is how we are able to live with constant consciousness and focus on the glory of God. This is what brings the joy that surpasses all understanding.

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Reflections

"As long as you are happy." I hear this all the time, and I'm sure you do as well. "And the disciples were filled with joy." It seems the disciples actually had that happiness, or joy.

I was in Norway for about four months preparing for a short term mission with a team of 200 people from 45 different countries—a big event! I was very busy with that, and I put in long hours with very little sleep. Someone told me that "Even if we reach only one person, it is all worth it." "Yes," I thought, "it surely is." Then, at the end of it all, it seemed to me that not even one person was reached! That's when God spoke into my heart and said, "Is that one person worth it, or is it Me that is worth it?"

The disciples were being persecuted in today's scripture passage. It seems that no one would have any reason to rejoice and be happy while going through harassment and physical torture. But the disciples did! Yes, they had people coming to know Jesus personally, but that was not their source of joy. Their joy was in God because of their focus on Him and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Many of us know the verse “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” And many of us remember the sermon of last year when Dr. Smith described the brain function that physiologically explains that “joy.”

Perhaps circumstances have overwhelmed you, leaving you to feel that you have no joy at this moment in your life. My mom passed away when I was 13 years old/young, and that is how I felt—joyless. Perhaps there are things in your life that have nothing to do with God’s Kingdom and your role in it. These things could be what are hindering this “joy of the Lord” from filling your life. Go before God and ask that He, by His Holy Spirit, will show you who He is. And you might need a brother or sister to go with you.

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Discussion Questions

1. Are there things in your life that prevent you from experiencing this joy that is not tied to your circumstances?
2. All of us, including me, have things in our lives that have nothing to do with God and building His Kingdom. Search your life and heart to see which things they are. See if they can be handled with a different motivation, which could make them useful for God's Kingdom. Perhaps a change in lifestyle, habit or hobby will be necessary. If so, don't go at it alone! We are a family, so ask for help, and start with God.
3. Take some quiet time, enough time to ask God what filled these disciples, and if He would fill you the same way. Be careful though—it could radically change your life!

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