Sunday morning at Joy
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Are you relentless in your pursuit of Christ, even in the face of adversity? Let's talk about what it means to have True Spiritual Grit.
“The ability to persevere in pursuing a future goal over a long period of time and not giving up… it's having stamina. It's sticking with your future, day in and day out, not just for a week, not just for a month but for years, and working really heard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like a marathon not a sprint.” - Angela Duckworth, PhD. Professor of psychology, The University of Pennsylvania
You may not find the word 'grit' in your Bible, but you'll see true grit in the language used.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
Matthew 24:12-13 NIV
God's Word is full of examples of real people with real grit:
◦Noah spends decades building a huge ship as he waited for God’s wrath to be poured out on the earth.
◦Abraham and Sarah lived like strangers in a foreign land, waiting a quarter century for God's promised child to be born.
◦Jacob serving his devious uncle Laban 20 years waiting for God’s promised inheritance.
◦Joseph languishing in an Egyptian prison as he waited for God to make him a ruler, even over his brothers.
◦Moses leading the stiff necked Israelites in the desert 40 years waiting for God’s promised land (and not getting in himself!).
Don’t forget Gideon, Samson, David, Samuel, the Prophets, Mary, the Disciples, Paul Read Hebrews 11
Examples of Jesus' true grit
Matthew 4:1-2 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
Matthew 8:20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
John 15:18 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
Luke 22:42-44 Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
1. A disciple of Christ must possess true spiritual grit.
1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV
The days ahead hold many trials.
Verse 12: "Do not be surprised..."
Greek: xenizō
To stay as a guest, to be lodged also to be shocked
Instead be armed with the mind of Christ.
1 Peter 4:1 NIV
A mindset of Faith in God vs. a mindset of Entitlement
1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV
2.True spiritual grit is grown in us.
What generates perseverance in us?
James 1:2-4 NIV
Spiritual grit grows in adversity.
1 Peter 4:14-16 NIV
A type of grit can grow by choosing to live apart from God's way. Suffering because of ungodliness doesn't grow perseverance, it's pain that's wasted.
Psalms 66:10 NIV
We're only saved from the fire, by walking through the fire.
Hebrews 12:7-8 NIV
3. True spiritual grit gets results.
Endurance despite opposition
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV
An example of denying self
Matthew 16:24 NIV
A strong finish to our race
2 Timothy 4:7 NIV
Consider this one week devotional from the YouVersion Bible App:
Don't forget about what's happening at Joy!
◦ Never Alone Widow/Widower Ministry - Meet us at COJ this Tuesday, August 21st at 11:30am. We will travel to Maxi's in Barnesville together for lunch.
◦ Youth Parent Dinner - Parents of 7th-12th grade students, make plans to join us next Saturday, August 25th at 6:00pm for dinner in the youth room. We will be sharing the vision for the youth ministry, upcoming events, needs and time for Q&A.
◦ Puppetry 101 - Next Saturday, August 25th from 9am-1pm in the fellowship hall, we will be providing training in the puppetry arts to serve our Venture Children's Ministry. Sign up at the welcome desk.
◦ Men's Breakfast - Next Sunday, August 26th at 8am in the fellowship hall, come ready to get your fill of food and great fellowship.
◦ Christmas Shoebox Ingathering - Next Sunday, August 26th please consider partnering with us by putting together a shoebox for boys and girls in Haiti. See your list of items at the welcome desk.
◦ Joy Work Day - We need your help! On Saturday September 8th we are meeting at 9am and turning our attention to projects that need our attention around the building and grounds.