5/5/2021 – Pastor Brian’s Blog –
For me, as a child (although there were many to choose from), there was only one real Superhero: Superman. I am not talking about just one of many Supermen, I am talking about the real Superman, George Reeves! Now that information probably reveals much more about my age then having anything to do with this blog!!
Anyway… as a child I used to watch Superman, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olson, Perry White, and Inspector Henderson faithfully every week. It brought me great joy to sit in front of that black and white TV and watch my favorite superhero, knowing that every time I saw that “S” on the front of Superman, something good was going to happen.
There are moments when my mind drifts back to that time as a child. Life was much simpler then, when the good guys always won, when kids spend much more time outside playing together, when joy seemed to be much more prevalent, especially when Superman showed up to save the day!
Real lasting joy seems to be lacking in our society today. I am not talking about happiness that comes and goes based on my circumstances. I am not talking about security that comes when I have everything I think I need to feel secure. I am talking about a joy that remains no matter what is happening around me. A joy that stays with me, no matter if things crumble around me.
This joy that I am talking about is supernatural; it comes from the biggest and greatest Superhero of all time: God! It is a joy that becomes reinforced every time we take advantage of these 3 “S” words.
The Sovereignty of God
The sovereignty of God means that He is supreme, above everything and everyone. It means that God is also supreme in power, above everything and everyone. God is not only supreme and more powerful than Superman, God is supreme over everything and everyone in all the universe. It means that because God is sovereign, not only does He have a plan for your life, He has everything needed to bring that plan to completion.
The Bible is not silent when it comes to this “S” word…
I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.
Psalm 135:5-6
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
Ephesians 1:11
The Sanctification of God
Not only is God sovereign to do what He wants, He also has the ability to use everything and anything for our benefit. God wants to sanctify us, or change us into the image of His Son. This “S” word “sanctification” may sound like a word “for theologians only,” but in its most basic sense, it means that God is preparing us or getting us ready to be used for a special use and purpose. A special use and purpose that God designed just for us.
God is the one who does the work of making us more like Christ. We participate by choosing to turn away from sin, and allowing God in the form of the Holy Spirit to use the circumstances (both good and bad) that He allows into our life.
Paul was so confident in our first two “S” words, that he could write with certainty…
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.
Romans 8:28-29
The Saints of God
In God’s sovereignty, as He performs His work of sanctification, God brings people into our lives that He wants us to do life with. It’s when we allow these people into our lives that we also find real joy. As God brings people into our lives to help us change, we then can turn around and help others change. As we allow people into our lives, we experience that “Iron sharpens Iron” effect. We experience the joy of rejoicing with those who rejoice, but also weeping with those that weep. We are able to comfort others, with the comfort that God has given us.
God has created us not to isolate ourselves from one another, but to be part of something greater. Solomon (the smartest man that ever lived apart from the “God Man” Himself) wrote…
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12
Running empty on God’s supernatural joy? Maybe it’s time for you to refocus, or focus for the first time on the “S” words. When you focus on who God is, His commitment to change you, as well as the Godly people He has purposefully brought into your life, you will find that supernatural joy, because you are becoming more like Him.
God’s joy cannot be purchased, nor are you able to will it or wish it upon yourself. Real and lasting joy has only one source: God. So today if your “Joy Meter” is running on empty, or you feel like “Kryptonite” is taking away your strength, then may the joy found only in God be your strength…
