Sermon Recap: Defiant Joy
Group Leader Discussion Guide
Read: Luke 19:28-44
Group Questions:
What speaks to you as you review this message?
What does the term “being anchored” symbolize to you?
What are some ways people “abandon ship” when in the midst of a storm?
In the midst of this coronavirus storm, what have you honestly seen in yourself? What has been revealed in you?
How would you, in your own words, describe what joy is or what it looks like when one has joy?
Which of the holes described cause your joy to seep out of your bucket?
What does the phrase, “If we cannot trace God’s hand, we can always trust His heart,” mean to you?
Sermon Recap:
Paul and several other prisoners were aboard a boat when a storm arose. The sailors threw out four anchors but some of the men lowered a lifeboat and were about to abandon the ship when Paul advised them to stay aboard lest they die. This was not Paul’s first storm. His life had been filled with many different storms.
Yet in the midst of his circumstances, he writes the Book of Philippians, referred to as his manifesto on how to live a life full of joy. We are led to wonder how one who had experienced such devastating storms could speak of a life of joy. The secret to his joy was tied to what he believed and how he thought. If we are to be people who live with joy, what we believe and are anchored to is critical. But sometimes to hold on to a joyful state of mind, seems as pointless as trying to carry water in a rusted through bucket. It may work for a while, but it’s never enough to keep joy from seeping out. The following are some holes in our buckets that may keep joy from being our continual feast:
(1) Circumstances – As humans we have the idea that when things go our way we will be a lot happier on the inside. But we have no control over the weather, traffic, people, certain things or other circumstances. We actually have very little control, and if our joy depends on ideal circumstances, we’re going to be miserable for life. Circumstances are like changing winds and we cannot anchor our joy to circumstances.
(2) People – No one can be a sustaining factor of joy in our life. People will disappoint us by what they say or do, for they too are like changing winds. People may add to our happiness, but cannot be the anchor of our joy.
(3) Things – Many people think the more they possess, the more joyful they will be. But the more things one has, the more they have to manage or keep up with. Jesus tells us in Luke 12:15 (MSG) that life is not defined by what you have. No possession will last or satisfy. Things are like changing winds and can never be the anchor of our joy.
(4) Worry – Worry is the silent voice begging to control. It is the voice that plays out our worst nightmares. If anyone should have worried, it should have been Paul. But instead he tells us in Philippians 4:4-7 not to be anxious about anything, but to present our prayers and petitions to God.
This story reminds us that we too will have storms and prompts us to consider what we would do in such situations. It is inevitable that in this life, we will go through storms. Like the sailors who threw out anchor lines, we need to be anchored. But we must ensure that we are anchored to something that is immovable and unshaken.