Elements of Joy, Part 2 B

What Paul is saying here is this here is my joy folks that no matter what goes on in your church, the work that God began.

He will complete.

If you focus on what's wrong with the church. Now you get the print cartridges one. If you focus on what the church is going to become smart phone, your tablet goes into sleep mode. If you don't use it for several minutes.

You have to hit a key or click the mouse or touch the screen for the device to wake up and work for you. You know joy is something like that. If you're Christian, there's a supernatural joy that is ready to go to work in your life. But it's not automatic.

There are steps of obedience you need to take to tap into that joy. John MacArthur is looking at those steps in his current study because it joy rules and with that, here's John. And today's lesson it is important that you understand that salvation is a work of God. It is essential that you understand he who began a good work is God look at verse 29 of chapter 1 Paul says to the same Philippians for to you it has been granted or it has been given you are the passive recipient of a gift from God for Christ's sake not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake.

In other words, God gave you faith and God has given you suffering.

It has been granted for Christ's sake, that you should believe. Chapter 2 verse 13 to the same Philippians is God who is at work in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. It is God who saves sovereignly listen to John 112 but as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe on his name. Listen, who were born born again, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but God salvation is God's work.

God's work in acts 11 very very important statement is made in verse 18 and when they heard this, the report of Gentile conversions. The people quieted down and they glorified God, saying, listen to the statement. Well, then God has granted or given to the Gentiles. Also the repentance that leads to life, God gave them the repentance God gave them the faith God gave them the salvation God opened their hearts because he chose them before the foundation of the world. That's why an exit says as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

It's a work of God. It's war is where God works out his eternal plan. Listen to second Thessalonians 213, we should always give thanks to God for you always. Why give thanks to God because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation Any clearer than that in verse 14 and it was for this he called you through our gospel God chose you.

God called you. God gave you repentance God gave you faith God saved you all his work.

Titus three but when the kindness verse four of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared verse five says he saved us. As you get that when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to his mercy he saved us. James tells us in chapter 1, and I think it's verse 18 by the exercise of his will, he brought us forth by the word of truth was his will, his work he did it. He saved us, he redeemed us now is go back to flipping the pointer Paul is making in verse six is this. I am confident, assured, persuaded, absolutely convinced of this very thing that God who saved you and started noble work. The word good means noble and it is a noble work.

Salvation starts the process of sanctification and brings it to glorification the God who started that good work in you, there comes will what perfected tremendous thought epi telling really perfected the compound completed, bring it to its full conclusion and honor this bring it to its complete and now Paula's essay, I hope this works out because I'm confident I am assured of this. I am absolutely convinced of this.

I am fully persuaded of this one thing that God who saved you and began the noble sanctifying work will complete it.

The great state God, who began the work of salvation and sanctification will bring it to full completion will bring it to full completion FB Meyer years ago, wrote we going to the artist studio and find their unfinished pictures covering large canvas and suggesting great designs but which have been left either because the genius was not competent to complete the work or because paralysis laid the hand low in death. But as we going to God's great workshop we find nothing that bears the mark of haste or insufficiency of power to finish and we are sure that the work which his grace has begun the arm of his strength will complete that great through what God begins. He completes this is the perseverance or the preservation of the saints. This is what we call eternal security that the God who saved you by his power will keep you by his power. Romans five has a marvelous insight into that. Paul says this listen if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be being saved by his life. What is it what is that mean just this. Listen if, when you are an enemy, you could be saved by Christ's death, how much more. Once you are a son, can you be kept by his life tremendously if his death can save you then his living can keep you and he ever lives to intercede for us. So Paul says luck.

I have the joy of anticipation. You may have problems in the church. You may have anxieties in the church. You may have difficulties in the church there may be failures in the church. But this very thing will not be altered, that the God who saves is the God who glorifies in Romans chapter 8, Paul says it in marvelous terminology that is very familiar to us whom he foreknew he predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren, whom he predestined, these he also called whom he called these he also justified, whom he justified, these he also glorified, and who will separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword. In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through him that loved us. I am convinced neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing to change the one who saved us will perfect us the perseverance of the people of God. The preservation of the people of God, the reality that salvation or justification leads to glorification Jesus said in John 637 all that the father gives to me shall come to me and I have lost none of them, but shall raise him up at the last day. Nobody is lost in the process, and then he says this until the day of Christ Jesus until the day of Christ Jesus. What does that mean to.

What does that have reference. Listen carefully. This is an interesting thing the day of the Lord is a common Old Testament term. I think the Jews about 19 or 20 times in the Old Testament the day of the Lord always refers to divine judgment on sinners. It always refers to the outpouring of wrath.

The ultimate expression of the day of the Lord will be at the return of Jesus Christ. When God pours out his wrath on the ungodly of all the ages but in the Old Testament there were other days of the Lord any day in which God moved in severe judgment on sinners could be called the day of the Lord the final day of the Lord is the day when he comes to judge the ungodly at the second coming of Christ is also called in first Thessalonians 5 verse for the day. It is called in second Thessalonians 110 that day, and in both cases refers to the day of judgment, a day of wrath, the day of vengeance the day of punishment of sinners, but this is different. This doesn't say the day of the Lord. It says the deity of Christ Jesus. How does that differ. What's interesting if you do a study of it as I did, you'll discover some fascinating things in this verse the day of Christ Jesus obviously refers to some time when believers will be glorified right he's going to perfect you in the day of Christ Jesus. It speaks of the day when believers will become perfect when salvation will become complete when justification and sanctification will become glorification. You will notice also verse 10 please. At the end of the verse. He says that believers are going to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ and begin to talk about believers in verse six. It was the day of Christ Jesus in verse 10, it's the day of Christ, and that too is a time when believers will be presented to God is blameless. Chapter 2 verse 16.

Paul says, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ.

I may have caused the glory here the day of Christ, has to do with some positive event where a believer will rejoice. So in Philippians alone day of Christ day of Christ Jesus have positive reference to a believers glorification in first Corinthians chapter 1. Let's go back to verse seven, we are awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall also confirm you to the end, blameless, here comes in the day, our Lord Jesus Christ, that's interesting. So now we have the day of Christ Jesus, the day of Christ.

Twice in Philippians and now the day of the Lord Jesus Christ and this one also refers to believers being blameless, obviously referring to their glory.

At time of reward for them at time of blessing for them in second Corinthians chapter 1 verse 14 it says we are your reason to be proud as you also are hours in the day of our Lord Jesus is another term. First, the day of Christ in the day of Christ Jesus than the day of the Lord Jesus Christ and now the day of the Lord Jesus and again is referring to a time of joy, but time to be proud. Time to rejoice and there's one other reference that are to be drawn to your mind. First Corinthians 55 and this is a discipline situation. The sinning believer is delivered to Satan for the destruction of his flesh that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus hears what you have, the day of Christ, the day of Christ Jesus, the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, the day of our Lord Jesus, and the day of the Lord Jesus in every one of those places. It refers to a time of the glorification of saints. So whenever you see the day of the Lord, you know you're talking about judgment on sinners.

Whenever you say see the day of Christ Christ Jesus the Lord Jesus the Lord Jesus Christ you're talking about the glorification of St. and the Lord makes a distinguishing characteristic clear by introducing the personal names of Jesus Christ celebrating intimacy in the unique relationship we have, to God through Christ.

Now that in my go back to Philippians chapter 1, I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will fulfill it.

Grant to completion in the day of Christ Jesus. He's going to carry right on out to the time when we meet Christ tremendous, God will finish his work of grace. Beloved that is such a great truth.

God is not like men.

William Hendrickson said men conduct experiments, but God carries out a plan."

We are divinely preserved is now wonderful. That is so exciting. We are divinely preserved.

Psalm 8933 says we are under a divine faithfulness that will never be removed.

John 316 says we have an eternal life that will never end and we will never perish. John 414 says we drink from a spring of water that will forever bubble up. John 637 and 39 says we have taken a gift that can't be lost. John 1028 says we are in the hand of the good Shepherd out of which hand we can never be snatched Romans eight 2930 says we are bound by a chain that cannot be broken. Romans 839 we are loved with a love from which we can never be separated.

Romans 1129. We are the recipients of a calling, which can never be revoked.

Second Timothy 219. We are built on a foundation which can never be destroyed. First Peter one, four and five, we have an inheritance that can never fade. That's confidence in what Paul is saying here is this here is my joy folks, my joy is that no matter what goes on in your church, the work that God began. He will complete and so is the joy of anticipation. It's very much like those marvelous words of Jude now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling to make you stand in the presence of his glory blameless with great joy.

God's going to get you all. There is a what's the implication was this way, please. If you focus on what's wrong with the church. Now you get depressed all our churches want to be all over not doing no but if you focus on what the church going to become. You get excited, you can take your joy as you can moan and groan and mumble around about what isn't the way it ought to be.

Or you can just look at what is going to happen you know what's first exciting about that nobody will get lots is not like when I was playing football, you are in the locker room after the game the coach today you are the reason we lost again if I'm about 1/3 year and three are not about laptops guy ran for a touchdown about your fall bed never going to happen to me in heaven. Lord is near.

You said you realized that because of your unfaithfulness. 250 people didn't get here a better put you in the funny farm. You thought you that responsibility you get really distressed about the church and it really worked out all the snow will not be. We know that you know what you want to be so Holland you that what you are be mega church. It is what it ought to be added that leaders are not what they ought to be and you wonder why it's like it is. This is it folks. But you can you can decide you can just focus on what it is and or you can rejoice in what is going to be I choose to do the letter. 10. It's wonderful.

You're going to get their fill of Christ if you belong to him Robin to get and Paul has the sense of joy this overwhelming triumphant joy that says in the end, the church is going to be exactly what God wanted to be a take a lot of pressure off boy no sense to spend your whole life in a state of depression over what the church is not when you could still spend your whole life in a state of joy over what the church will be right. You're to be all you supposed to be God's plan. So if you look at what the church can become its exciting, thrilling, exhilarating is the joy of anticipation on a wide is it some people want to mumble around all the time about what isn't the way they like it. We can sit back and wait'll it's going to be the way God wants it to be in eternal glory. I'll tell you that does take a lot of pressure off if I thought that I had either the basic tool and generator of salvation. If I was responsible to get people saved and then once they were saved.

If I along with the other pastors and the rest of us were responsible to keep people safe house you like to have that responsibility as you like.

The responsibility for example for your children who come to Christ and of God to you.

Hey by the way I save them but you better keep him saved what that responsibility as frightening. You don't have the responsible one know some lords going to bring his church to fulfill marvelous and it so want to enjoy the process sure were not all that we are supposed to be.

But this is no place for perfect people. This is the hospital for people to lease another sick and they know where the cure is there so I want to be in the church are too many hypocrites, you feel right at home since last visit but did listen little deal. Thank God he's not finished with me yet. Be patient a try anymore not done when we are down will be perfect.

That takes all the pressure out so you can enjoy your ministry and you can enjoy your church you can love what you do say what I want you doing to me if God saves him, and God keeps him and God get some to have a why you doing it because I love the thought that he's using me as a part of the process and I can serve it out of joy and out of gratitude and because he's called me to and I love him and I obey him, but it doesn't rest on my shoulders only wants me to do is share in the joy. Why should I let my joy be stolen because I've become unable to focus on what the church will become so Paul has the joy of anticipation. I understand that I understand.

I look at my children sometimes when I realize that their lot like appearance.

They're not all are supposed to be there and I could fret and worry and fuss, but I know that all of Christ and the thing is I know what they will ultimately become built all of the lead be like Christ, you realize how satisfying it.

So I might as well enjoy my ministry a muzzle. Enjoy life. My mother's will pour my heart out in service, out of sheer joy and gratitude and obedience and love for Christ and be thrilled to be a part of the process, but I'm not going to become a basketcase because I'm worried that somebody was supposed to get there might not make it because I'm not doing my my job. I don't take that responsibility and neither should you.

So enjoy it. Enjoy the church will never be all that it ought to be. It'll never be all you wanted to be until we get the glory. Sometimes I think the beast. The only disappointment in heaven will be people who can't find anything negative. They may frustrate themselves through all eternity. But hey, you want to be so thrilled.

This is so temporary you want to have the joy of anticipation that's John MacArthur, Chancellor of the Masters University in seminary is also featured Bible teacher here on Grace to you and John's current study is titled joy. Rules John you talk today about the sovereignty of God in salvation and the idea that those who are saved are the elect. That's what Scripture calls us and I know that's a great comfort to some of us, and yet for other people. It raises very difficult questions and along that line. We have a question from our Q&A line that I want you to listen to and then please respond hi my name is.

My question is found in Matthew chapter 20 verse 16 specifically the part that says, many called and feel are chosen.

I believe in predestination, it's biblical and I have no problem with that, but it's confusing me is why would God call some but not all are children. Why would he call them and not if they're not chosen.

I've been wondering about that for a long time and it's really puzzling to me. I'm sure there's an answer that I just don't know what it is. Thank you for your answer to that.

Well thank you that is a very thoughtful question and we do know that many are called, because the Lord commissioned us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. We are to preach the gospel.

We are to offer what is called a general call to faith and salvation to the entire world. But in the end the only people who will respond to that call are those whom the father has chosen and draws to himself, but at the same time that that may raise a very important question and you've you've identified it. Why does God call people that he does not save and that doesn't have a simple answer, but what the answer is simply that when people reject that call. They are held accountable. In other words, there is a tension in the fact that those who are saved are saved because God saved them. Those who are unsaved are unsaved because they rejected the gospel. The greatest tension in all of theology I think in all of the Bible is harmonizing the fact that those who are saved are saved because God chose them. Those who are lost are lost because they chose to reject but those two truths are clearly laid out in Scripture. Jesus says why will you die. Jesus says you will not come to me that you might have life. Jesus says you will not believe in me, Jesus says, search the Scriptures were there they would speak of me.

He indicted the Jewish people over and over and over again for their unbelief. In fact, the gospel of John says he was in the world.

The world was made by him in the world knew him not. He came unto his own and his own received him not all sinners will have culpability and guilt for rejecting the gospel, all who believe. Believe.

Because the power of God came upon them for salvation how those two things come together is beyond our understanding, but both are true and the Bible doesn't make any kind of excuse saying we know this is complicated. It's just stated as a fact those who are saved are saved because of sovereign grace. Those who are lost are lost because they reject the gospel. Those are hard for us to resolve. They fit perfectly into the purpose in mind of God. Thanks John, that is not an easy question to answer, and friend. If like Leah you have a Bible related question you'd like to ask John just call our Q&A line. You can leave a message with your question and then stay tuned. You may hear John answer it on a future broadcast.

Contact us today. The Q&A line number 661-295-6288.

Make sure you leave your first name with your question. And again, John may answer it on a future broadcast the Q&A line number one more time. 661-295-6288. Now if you're looking for a more immediate answer to your question, I would encourage you to get our newest at simply titled the study Bible. This free app gives you the text of Scripture in the English standard King James and new American Standard version and also instant access to thousands of resources designed to help you understand the Bible, and answer the questions that you may have about the Bible.

Also, for a nominal price you can add the notes from the MacArthur study Bible. That's 25,000 detailed explanations covering virtually every verse of the Bible to download the free app again. It's called the study by visit our website TTY.org that's TTY.org now on behalf of John MacArthur in the entire grace to you staff, I'm Phil Johnson encouraging you to be here tomorrow when John continues his series joy with another half hour of unleashing God's truth one verse at a time on wasting