Glorifying God by Enjoying Him
(The Message of the Bible on the Road to Emmaus, Part 3)
May 17, 2006
Pastor Matt Black
Midweek Service
Luke 24:52-53
Discipleship: What are the Ten Commandments of God’s moral law?
(Quote them.)
Catechism Questions
Q1. Who is the first and best of beings?
A. God is the first and best of beings.
Q2. What is the chief end of man?
A. To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
Q3. How do we know there is a God?
A. The light of nature in man and the works of God plainly declare that there is a God, but His Word and Spirit only do effectually reveal Him unto us for our salvation.
Q4. What is the Word of God?
A. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, being given by divine inspiration, are the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and obedience.
Q5: How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?
A: The Bible reveals itself to be God's Word by the heavenliness of its doctrine, the unity of its parts, its power to convert sinners and to edify saints. But the Spirit of God only, bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in our hearts, is able fully to persuade us that the Bible is the Word of God.
Q6: May all men make use of the Scriptures?
A: All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted, to read, hear, and understand the Scriptures.
Q7: What do the Scriptures mainly teach?
A: The Scriptures mainly teach what man is to believe about God and what duty God requires of man.
Introduction: Open your Bibles tonight to Luke 24. The title of our message tonight is: “Glorifying God by Enjoying Him.” We are going to see that the more joyful we are in God, the more He is glorified. It is God’s will that our only pleasure to be found in Him. All other pleasures are idolatry.
1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
The love, or pleasure in Christ is our motivation
2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us
God wants you to be joyful! He wants you to find pleasure in Him! If you have never known joy in Christ, then you are not a Christian! That’s what Paul said to the Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
Remember the second question of the catechism?
Q2. What is the chief end of man?
A. To glorify God
and
to enjoy Him forever.
Do you see that the ONE chief end is actually TWO things? Actually what we find out in Scripture is the ONE way we glorify God is BY enjoying Him forever! Do you realize that we are to glorify God by having pleasure in Him?
The blessed man’s “delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:2-3).
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
I Peter 1:8 calls us to make Christ our joy, “having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”
Oh, that we could understand that we are called to a life of joy in Christ. Here we have Christ confronting an obvious problem. It is clear. Look at verse 17: “And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?”
Why were these people sad? Let’s listen to their response to the Lord in verse 18: “Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
So their sadness they said came from a circumstance. First of all they were believing lies about the circumstance. That brought unhappiness. Whenever we lack joy, we are believing a lie. Remember the words of Jesus?
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
OBJECTION #1: You say, “Well it is not happy to be joyful all the time.” Is this a true statement?
Answer: No it is not. Not only is it not possible, it is commanded. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 to Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. We are commanded to “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2).
OBJECTION #2: You say, “But you don’t understand my situation. My circumstances will not allow me to rejoice. It is impossible.”
Answer: What is the worst situation ever brought to the earth? The crucifixion of the Son of God. How did He handle it? With the crucifixion looming before the Saviour, He looked beyond it to the glory of redemption it would achieve, and counted it joy. That is exactly what Hebrews 12:2 tells us. “For the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Look at verse 11. What happened when the women came back and reported seeing the resurrected Christ? Verse 11 tells us that “their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.”
The barrier to joy is always unbelief. At the root of all unbelief is the UGLY lie!! Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). Remember Jesus’ promise in John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Your heart is a factory of lies. Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Think of all the lies they believed:
1. Lie #1: Christ was supposed to redeem Israel, and He didn’t. They thought Christ failed! Verse 21, “But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel”. Why did they believe that lie? Because they thought redemption was political.
They missed the truth: Christ redeemed Israel! Redemption deals with the soul, and is spiritual. He takes away our sins, not our outward slavery to Rome. That is why a prisoner can be free in Christ!
2. Lie #2: Christ was supposed to rise from the dead, and He didn’t. Look at the last part of verse 21, “and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.” The implication is, “We are sad because Christ said he would rise from the dead after three days, and He didn’t.”
Look at the shocking truth: Who were these two foolish men talking to? The risen Christ! The truth is Christ had risen from the dead and they were talking to Him!
Of course you see what happened in verse 31, “their eyes were opened, and they knew him.” He had to do the same thing with the rest of the disciples when he appeared in their midst. Look at verse 45, “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”
Once again, believing is knowing the truth. John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Slavery is the epitome of sadness and sorrow. He could have just as well have said “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth will make you ‘joyful’”.
A. Faith sees beyond the circumstance which leads to joy. Look at verse 45-53, “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 ¶ And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”
Now look at how they believe the truth and how it creates joy. Remember that they believed that the two in Emmaus thought Redemption was only about Israel? (verse 21). What was the truth Jesus told them? Verse 47, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
Remember how they believed the lie that Christ was not risen? Look at verse 46, “thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:” In fact he had to “opened he their understanding” verse 45.
And what did this believing of the truth bring? JOY
52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”
Explanation: So think of their BAD circumstances. They were under Roman rule. They did not have a king. Things were tough. This could go on forever! Woe is me! Now think of the joy that faith brings.
1. They are free and redeemed in Christ even if they are under Roman rule, or in a prison, or in slavery. They are free!
2. They do indeed have a king for Israel, for Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of Lords! 3.
3. And even though the Roman rule could go on for a very long time, it most certainly will not go on forever, because there is coming a day
B. Faith values God above all things which leads to joy.
Why could these disciples who were once sorrowing now be filled with “great joy” and be “continually in the temple, praising and blessing God” (verses 52-53)?
They let go of their love for temporary things:
1. Physical or emotional Comfort is nothing since Christ gives comfort regardless of physical or emotional pain.
· The Answer to Physical Pain:
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
What does Paul mean by “circumcision”? He means Israel. A Jew. Who are Jews? Who is Israel? Those who “worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Comfort means nothing. Worship (or adoring joy to God) means everything. Having pleasure in God, not my flesh is valuable!
Philippians 4:4 to Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. We are commanded to “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2).
· The Answer to Emotional Pain:
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
2. Political success is nothing because Jesus is King of kings.
Revelation 11:15 The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
3. Worldly accomplishments compared to the work that Christ has done.
Philippians 3:4-8 I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
4. The Pleasure of Sin is nothing because it lasts for a very short time, but Pleasure in Christ is infinitely stronger and lasts forever!
Hebrews 11:25—Moses esteemed the “riches of Christ” of greater value than the “pleasures of sin for a season.” And what did God do through Moses? He could have been Pharoah! Do you know who the Pharoah was during the time of Moses. How about the Pharoah before him or after him? No?! The Pharoahs are insignificant. But we are still talking about Moses and how he hung on to the riches and pleasure of Christ.
C. Faith is arrived at through spiritual love and truth (i.e. heart and head)
John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Worship is what the disciples were doing in the temple.
52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”
1. Worshipping in spirit is the opposite of worshipping in merely external ways. It is the opposite of empty formalism and traditionalism.[1]
2. Worshiping in truth is the opposite of whoship based on an inadequate view of God. Worship must have heart and head! Worship must engage emotions and though. Truth without emotion produces dead orthodoxy and a church full of artificial admirers…On the other hand, emotion without truth produces empty frenzy and cultivates shallow people who refuse the discipline of rigorous thought. But true worship comes from people who are deeply emotional and who love deep and sound doctrine. Strong affections for God rooted in truth are the bone and marrow of biblical worship.[2]
Listen to what Paul said to Timothy:
2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Again, Paul speaks to Timothy’s church in Ephesus:
Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Conclusion: We adore and praise only what delights us! Are you happy in Jesus today? “There is no such thing as sad adoration or unhappy praise.”[3] In order to delight in God you must be fully committed to His agenda and convinced that it is not only right, but best and truly functional and practical. After telling us to “Delight in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4), David tells us to “Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass” (verse 5).
C.S. Lewis said, “…it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and [immoral pleasure] and ambition when infinite joy [in God] is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”[4]
We do not seek pleasure in God with nearly the resolve and passion that we should. And so we settle for the temporal pleasures of the world instead of infinite delight in God.
“We have a name for those who try to praise when they have no pleasure in the object. We call them hypocrites.”[5] If we do not praise God out of the motive of pleasure and gladness in Him, we are hypocrites. The highest end of man is to drink deeply of the pleasure found in God alone.
As we close, listen to the voice of those who knew true joy in God:
Psalm 42:1-3 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Psalm 63:1-2 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
Psalm 36:7-8 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. 8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalms 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalm 43:4 tells us that we should go to “go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy.”
Matthew 13:44-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Closing Hymn: 619 Joy in Serving Jesus
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