2023.10.08.Sermon Notes. Simchat Torah – The Joy of GOD’s WORD - Torah
William Akehurst, HSWC
BIG IDEA: Simchat Torah – the Joy of GOD’s WORD (Torah).
How do you respond to GOD’s WORD? Is it an integral part of your life? Do you find Joy in it? Or is it a burden to read it? GOD’s WORD gives joy, and is a treasure chest that must be searched out and cherished. Allow GOD's WORD to change you forever!
The Fall Feasts, The Joy of GOD’s Word. How do you receive GOD’s WORD? Do you find Joy in it?
SCRIPTURES: John 1:1, Psalms 19:7-11, Jeremiah 15:16, John 15:11, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 13:44, Isaiah 55:8, Matthew 5:6, Matthew 13:16-23, Hebrews 4:12, Isaiah 55:11, Joshua 1:8, Psalms 119:1-176
Simchat Torah!
The Joy of Torah (God’s Word)
IS GOD’s WORD a joy and delight to your heart?
Are you digging in to find new truths and being encouraged by it?
If it’s difficult to find joy in GOD’s WORD, perhaps you need to look for it specifically.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Psalms 19:7-11
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.
GOD’s WORD is Perfect, Sure, Right, Pure, Enduring Forever, True and Righteous in itself.
DESIRABLE more than riches
SWEETER than pure honey.
A WARNING that if heeded, bring GREAT REWARD.
KEY VERSE: I LOVE THIS VERSE!
Jeremiah 15:16 (NLT) When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies.
TREASURE – Unearth Heaven’s treasure
God’s Word is a treasure from Heaven to Earth in which we can find golden nuggets and precious jewels.
Psalm 19:10 “More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”
JESUS said that HIS Words would give us joy.
John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
So to find a treasure, you have a map, the bible, and all that is needed is to dig in and mine it.
Search the scriptures and find that joy. That nugget, that precious gem.
What Scripture(s) do you carry in your heart?
Do you not realize what you have before you when you open the WORD OF GOD?
OBEDIENCE BRINGS JOY AND REWARD
Psalms 19:8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
GOD’S WORD tells us that by following and obeying HIS WORD, that we can find Joy and Great Reward in it.
Psalm 19:11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(NLT) 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
GOD gave us HIS commands as an instruction manual to having a happy life. HIS laws are meant to lead us to a joyful and abundant life.
DESIRE GOD’s WORD
Matthew 13:44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
THE MAN WAS HAPPY TO GIVE UP EVERYTHING he owned because he knew that what he had found was so much better!
ASK THE LORD to help you give up the things that really don’t give joy (even though you might think you need them to be happy).
ASK THE LORD to open your understanding to HIS Ways and Thoughts, so that HE would satisfy you with what really brings joy.
Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
SEARCH OUT GOD’S WORD to find the desires and heart attitudes that He wants for you and me.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. (satisfied)
DIVE IN and IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GOD’s WORD
ASK HOLY SPIRIT TO OPEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE JOY OF SALVATION AND GOD’s WORD.
GOD’S WORD is full of joy. We can find that joy daily when we search the scriptures and find THAT WORD that seems to jump off the page into our hearts. That’s HOLY SPIRIT at work, instilling GOD’S WORD in us. A WORD to encourage, a WORD to obey, a WORD of comfort, a WORD that will bring us JOY.
JESUS EXPLAINS THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
Matthew 13:16-23
16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;
17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
FIRST OF ALL, You are blessed to see and hear and know what others in times past were unable to understand, because prophecy has been fulfilled in CHRIST JESUS.
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower:
THOSE WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
THOSE WHO ARE JOYFUL, BUT WHEN THE NEXT TRAGEDY STRIKES…
20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
THOSE WHO HEAR, BUT ARE DROWNED OUT AS THE WORLD CALLS LOUDER…
22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
THOSE WHO HEAR, UNDERSTAND AND BEAR FRUIT…BY THE POWER OF HOLY SPIRIT IN YOU!
23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
AND THE IMPACT OF GOD’S WORD SHOULD REACH BEYOND YOU, AND TO YOUR CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE AROUND YOU. SOME HAVE BIGGER CIRCLES THAN OTHERS, BUT WE ALL SHOULD BE SHARING GOD’S WORD TO THOSE AROUND US.
GOD’S WORD IS ALIVE AND POWERFUL. IT CUTS THROUGH TO OUR PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL CORE.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
GOD’S WORD ACCOMPLISHES IT’S PURPOSE.
Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
I LOVE THIS VERSE!
Jeremiah 15:16 (NKJV) 16 Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.
(NLT) When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies.
I DISCOVERED AND DEVOURED GOD’S WORDS!
DO YOU HAVE A RAGING APPETITE FOR HIS WORD?
THE SECRET TO SUCCESS – I call this “The Joshua Principle” and have written much regarding this verse.
Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
(NLT) 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
PSALMS 119 CONTAINS MANY NUGGETS REGARDING GOD’S INSTRUCTION THROUGH HIS WORD. TAKE TIME TO READ AND MEDITATE ON IT THIS WEEK.
Psalms 119:1-176 (Below are some selected verses pertaining to GOD’s WORD)
1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD!
2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!
3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways.
4 You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently.
5 Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes!
6 Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments.
7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.
25 My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD—Your salvation according to Your word.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.
57 You are my portion, O LORD; I have said that I would keep Your words.
65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word.
76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant.
77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For Your law is my delight.
81 My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word.
89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.
97 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.
123 My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation and Your righteous word.
125 I am Your servant; Give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies.
133 Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts.
135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes.
140 Your word is very pure; Therefore Your servant loves it.
143 Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights.
147 I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word.
148 My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.
151 You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word.
160 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
162 I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.
169 Let my cry come before You, O LORD; Give me understanding according to Your word.
170 Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word.
171 My lips shall utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes.
172 My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.
173 Let Your hand become my help, For I have chosen Your precepts.
174 I long for Your salvation, O LORD, And Your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; And let Your judgments help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.
Let’s Pray,
FATHER, give me a raging hunger, thirst and desire for JESUS and YOUR WORD. HOLY SPIRIT, open my understanding to the scriptures as JESUS opened them to the disciples. Speak to me of the TRUTHS contained therein and apply YOUR LIVING WORD to my heart. Let me be forever changed, by YOUR WORD and PROMISES, in JESUS Name, Amen.
Song: Standing on the Promises
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Bill
