Joyful Relief

What is this world coming to? Too many changes.! Too many things getting left behind! The influence of a pagan culture!

Living in the midst of a changing culture is challenging, especially when you are trying to hang on to the things that matter, that give you a sense of identity, that tell you who you are. Unfortunately, sometimes in our anxiety, and our desire to protect ourselves, we over react, miss the forest for the trees, and wind up creating the same kind of thing that we resist. Because of our anxiety, we find ourselves going back to the very kind of approach to life that Jesus invites us to leave behind.

This is what was happening in Galatia. Their joy was being lost to anxiety, and they found themselves, out of anxiety, turning back to a way of living that Jesus had just lead them out of. Oddly enough, in an attempt to be more faithful, they were leaving the life of faith behind. They were returning to a life guided by performance anxiety rather than the grace that results in joy.

It is not only the historical believers in Galatia that struggled with these kinds of dynamics. The issues that the Galatians struggled with are still very much alive and well today. When you look around you today, or perhaps within you, do you ever find yourself asking the question, "Where is your joy?"

That is the question that Pastor Pablo explores with us today as he leads us in reflecting on this passage from Galatians. If you would like to explore this some more and listen to the sermon once again, or perhaps for the first time, you can do so by accessing our sermon library by clicking here.

Galatians 4

TNIV

8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you,14 and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.15 Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

As you reflect on the passage above:

Where are the places in your life where you are more motivated by anxiety than joy? What is that about?

Where are the places were you most experience the motivation that comes from grace and results in genuine joy?

What do you sense God inviting you to today?