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Resurrected: Week 2

Resurrected: Week 2

Hope and Joy

• The greatest resurrection has to do with life, but other things can be resurrected as well – Financial situations, Relationships, HOPE AND JOY
• When Jesus came on the scene he resurrected hope and joy in the people who were looking for a Messiah. Most Jews in Jesus’ day did not have hope or joy
• Those that did still hope were waiting for a Messiah described in Isaiah 61:1-3 – One that would comfort the broken-hearted, set prisoners free, bring joyous blessing.
o As Jesus started making himself known, people started wondering if he could really be the Messiah!

John 1:4 (NIV) The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

• The problem was, Jesus didn’t do the things people expected the Messiah to do. Every time he did something different than what they expected it left them wondering if he truly was who he said he was.
o And that is the same with us. When things don’t happen the way we expect or want, we tend to lose our joy and our hope that God is who he says he is
• The fact is, when hard things happen, we tend to lose our joy

Joy: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires

• The Bible says a lot about joy but verses like these are hard to reconcile

James 1:2 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

Philippians 4:4 (NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

• Part of the reason for confusion with the word, “Joy” is a misperception of what joy looks like. We typically picture someone who is uncontrollably smiling and laughing or someone who is carefree and reveling in the moment

• Jesus often talked about how Kingdom of Heaven should be our focus. That Kingdom mission is to bring as many people into the Kingdom as possible.

Luke 15:7 (NLT) In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

• People coming into the Kingdom brings God great joy, as it should us!
• If Jesus could suffer and still have joy; if Paul could write from jail, “Rejoice in the Lord always;” we too can have that same joy! Even if circumstances aren’t what we wish they were.
• A question that inevitably comes up when talking about joy is, “What about sorrow?”
o Sorrow is real. It’s an emotion as much as joy is.
 Not only does God know we will feel sorrow, he actually tells us to join people in their sorrow.

Romans 12:15 (NIV) Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

o Where we tend to be short-sighted is the belief that the only way for us to have joy is to get rid of all the sorrow in our life.
Our joy is intricately connected to our hope

Merriam-Webster definition – Hope: to want something to happen or be true
• That’s not the kind of biblical hope we are talking about

Elpice (Greek): expectation of good, hope; and in the Christian sense, joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation
• It’s believing the promises of God (Romans 12:2, Romans 15:13)
• Our hope needs to be in Jesus and his promises

Week 2 – Resurrected Hope and Joy

Passages to consider: Ephesians 1:17-19; 1 Peter 1:8-9; Colossians 3:1-2, Philippians 4:8
Ice Breaker: What posters did you have in your room when you were young?
Sermon Reflection – What passage or statement was significant to you from the sermon?
Questions to discuss:
1. When you think of hope and joy how do you typically define them?
2. Take a look at Ephesians 1:17-19 & 1 Peter 1:8-9. Or choose a significant passage from the sermon. What do they tell you about hope and joy?
3. Where are you at with hope and joy today? A) How has relationship with Jesus brought joy and/or hope into your life?
4. What can be joy stealers or distort hope and bring worry? (What is it for you at this season?)
5. Look at Colossians 3:1-2 & Philippians 4:8. How do you return to joy when hard things happen? A) What helps you have a confident hope in the midst of uncertain times?
6. In what area of your life do you need to experience some resurrected joy or hope?
7. What relationships, truth, and actions contribute to building hope and joy in your life? A) How can your family, friendships, work place and neighborhood be impacted as you nurture joy and hope?
Note: There are no easy answers for deep hurts, traumatic experiences, and clinical depression. Be considerate for what your fellow group members may be experiencing.