You’ve Lost it. Get it Back. Restoring the Joy of Your Salvation.

(Message 2) Have you lost your sense of wonder or joy? When you think of God, do you see Him as a joy-giver or a joy-taker? How you answer that will reveal a lot about your relationship and understanding of Him. It may also indicate how much our modern culture has captured your heart. Join us for our next message, “You’ve Lost it. Get it Back. Restoring the Joy of Your Salvation.” #GCGetItBack

Satan’s Weapons To Steal Our Joy:

Our media choices
Secret sin

What Now?

Repentance
Talk to someone
Gratitude

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Key Scripture:

John 10:10 (NLT)

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Proverbs 4:23-27 (NLT)

23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. 27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

Psalm 32 (NLT)

1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! 3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Interlude

5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord .” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude 6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

7 For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude 8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” 10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord . 11 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

Acts 3:19-21 (NLT)

19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.

Galatians 5:16 (NLT)

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

Have you ever had anything stolen? Describe that experience and how it made you feel.

Start sharing. These questions are to help get your group thinking and to create openness.

Read John 10:10. What did Jesus come to give us? Who is the thief and what is his purpose? Why is that his purpose?
On a level of 1 to 10 how joyful are you? What do you think is stealing your joy most days?
Read Proverbs 4:23-27. Pastor Troy said the mind informs the heart and the heart determines the direction of our lives. Are your media choices (apps, music, movies, etc.) affecting your life for good or bad? Are your media choices bringing joy to you or stealing it from you?
Some churches and some Christians try to govern media choices by restricting certain music or movies. What’s the danger in doing this?
How do Galatians 5:16 and Psalm 32:8-9 inform our choices better than rules?
Read Psalm 32. What was unconfessed sin doing to David’s life and joy? What happened when he confessed his sin and finally gave it up?
Have you ever tried to hide sin from God and others? What did it do to your level of joy and happiness?

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

1 John 1:9 says “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” If you have unconfessed sin and desire to be freed from its hold, take time this week to confess.

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

Pray that each person in your group desires to live a life of joy in salvation through Jesus Christ. And that you all confess your sins and repent of them, so that you may experience the richness and refreshment of His presence.

Start digging. For further study.