No Other God's pt3-Re-encountering the Joy

Main Point:  When a Christian places other interests, desires, or priorities before God, it is referred to in biblical teaching as idolatry of the heart, which shifts the primary source of trust, affection, and worship away from God.  Having other things before God leads to fading joy in one’s life.

Foundation Scripture: Exodus 20:1-3.  God requires us to have no other God’s.

4 Things that happen when we have other God’s/Interest before the one true God.

1. Loss of Clarity on what God’s will and plans are for you to impact His Kingdom
2. Diminished Joy and peace
3. Overall Spiritual Stagnation (lack of growth and maturity)
4. Diminished Focus on the most important thing

Pastor’s Thoughts:

• With loss of clarity, joy/peace/growth/Focus, we become more vulnerable to the enemies deception to keep us from impacting God’s Kingdom with power.
• Today I want to focus on number 2 (Diminished joy and peace)
• When other interest has your full passion, overtime your joy and peace begin to fade away
  • Joy fades away because only God’s love can bring eternal joy regardless of circumstances.
    • When God is first your joy remains constant.
    • All other passions and interest can only bring temporary joy and fulfillment.

Why does joy remain constant when God is first place in our hearts?

• Isaiah 61:10. No circumstance can change the fact that we are covered with garments of salvation, we are covered with a robe of righteousness.
  • Isaiah states that ‘my soul shall be joyful in my God’.
• 1 Peter 1:3-10.  Our joy rest in the fact that God has an incorruptible inheritance that will never fade away.
  • Trials and tribulations do not change what God has promised
    • As a matter of fact, trials and tribulations only add to the inheritance awaiting us for eternity (Joseph’s trials lead saving a nation)
• Joy unspeakable is ours to have when we have no other God’s before the one true God.

Pastor’s Thoughts:

• If you lack joy, look in your heart and make sure that God is first.
• Circumstances do not remove Joy that comes from our faith in Jesus.  Trials in life are considered as more precious than gold in 1 Peter 1:7.
• Joseph is a great example of keeping God first regardless of circumstances.

Conclusion:

• Joy begins to fade when other Gods/interest take first place in  your heart
• Commit to taking action the ensures God is first in your heart
  • Secret place, bible study, church attendance, tithes and offerings (4 spiritual food groups)