Joy in Christ
Isaiah 55:1-7
August 18, 2024
This is our 3rd week talking about joy. Next Sunday I kinda sorta promise that we will finish talking about joy. Actually, I’m not really sure if I will or not, because I’m not sure what I’m going to read, study, or how God is going to lead me next week. One thing I will try to do next week is not use Isaiah 55 as my focus.
I don’t think I’ve ever used the same verses for 3 weeks in a row. But as I study Isaiah 55, I’m finding more and more nuggets, so today, I’m going to use those first verses of Isaiah 55 - - - - again - - - - as the basis for my message.
In the end I’ll try to tie this all together, but no promises! There’s simply too much and the issue of joy is so important in our lives.
Last week, I mentioned that I was going to talk about mud pies. The idea of mud pies comes from a book written by C.S. Lewis. In his book called, Weight of Glory, Lewis wrote this - - - -
It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak.
We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us,
like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum
because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.
We are far too easily pleased. - C.S. Lewis
Now, if you made mud pies as a child and enjoyed it, that’s great. That’s NOT what C.S. Lewis is talking about. Think of it this way — — if you had the opportunity to make mud pies (in the slums — — and he’s not being critical of the poor) or if you have the opportunity to go to the beach and build sand castles in the sun, which would be more appealing? I would think going to the beach would be the winner.
Lewis believes that all too often we settle for the less than experience. It could be for a multitude of reasons, but the bottom line is we settle for something less than we could and should be experiencing.
That can be a haunting thought. Am I settling for less than? It’s what Isaiah 55:2 was asking us, which is a haunting question - - - -
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Why are you doing what does not satisfy you? Of course, you don’t just drop everything and disappear. It doesn’t mean you give up on relationships that are struggling. But it should point us in the right direction, because underneath this question is the deeper question of JOY.
Another way to ask this - - - -
Why are you not experiencing joy
in what you’re doing?
That goes deeper for us. And that’s often a more difficult question to answer. We settle for the mud pies, when the beach is around the corner.
Have you ever been going to the beach and suddenly you can smell the beach? It’s as if the beach is around the corner, you can smell it, but you’re satisfied with what you have . . . mud pies.
Most folks in here would identify as a Christian. So, let me ask you, without giving me the answer verbally, are you experiencing the “fullness of joy” of being a follower, disciple of Jesus?
For most of us, finding the fullness of joy seems elusive. We have our moments, but those seem so few and far between. Sometimes we feel stuck. We want more.
Maybe you’re stuck too. Maybe you feel like life during the height of Covid. You feel locked up, stuck and not a lot of hope in moving out. Businesses were closing. Fear was rampant. Unrest and conflict was the norm. Everyone was on edge. It was like being in a horror movie.
This is not how you hoped your life would turn out. And Lewis didn’t have financial hardship in mind when he wrote that paragraph. You don’t have to be wealthy or poor to experience the half-hearted life. In fact, the wealthy are often the first to watch their hope collapse.
The famous author, John Cheever wrote, “The main emotion of the adult American who has had all the advantages of wealth, education, and culture is disappointment.”
Oh man! That’s brutal, but I think he’s onto something.
Actor, Jim Carrey once said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” WOW!!
When you finally catch what you’re chasing and discover the end of the rainbow, you don’t find a pot of gold — you often find disappointment. Then comes depression, regret, resentment, and a despondent resignation. You look up one day and find yourself making mud pies in the slum.
I know, this is really uplifting! Right? I simply want you to see where we’ve been and where we’re headed if we don’t accept God’s offer. We’re going to get to joy in a bit.
Think about the hours spent watching netflix, or youtube videos. How many hours do you spend on social media? Does it take an extra drink to quiet the noise, or viewing a few more risque websites to deaden the pain; are you stuck in what you call ‘justifiable addictions’ . . . . then just maybe you’ve settled for mud pies.
If you’re making mud pies, don’t give up, it’s not over.
But to experience real, lasting change, we have to do something really difficult. We need to face reality. We need to take inventory. We need to admit where we’re at and then open ourselves to God’s grace.
God’s offer still stands. A holiday on the beach awaits those who are willing. So how do we get in on this?
Well, glad you asked, because that’s where Isaiah 55 comes in again.
God gives a shocking promise to those in captivity. That was Isaiah’s offer to a people who were being attacked and about to be taken into captivity. Yet, God shows up with an amazing and surprising offer — a holiday at the sea! Listen again to Isaiah 55:1 - - - -
1 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
I was talking to a good friend this week, and in the conversation we were talking about accountability vs. grace. Sometimes it’s easier to hold someone accountable than to offer grace. Yet, God isn’t doing that with the people. He’s not doing that with us.
God doesn’t come at us with “I told you so.” He doesn’t taunt us with “serves you right.” That may be our response to those who betray us, but it’s never God’s. And it doesn’t work. Sarcasm doesn’t really lead us to repentance. God’s not snarky or capricious.
He is serious about our joy.
God offers us this refreshing meal, even when we’re at our worst. Even when we can’t fathom joy! It’s an offer God has for us, but it means we need to admit and accept who we are. It means we take those intentional steps toward God.
And if we go back to last week, that’s what John Piper was trying to get at in his book, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist.
Piper reminds us the chief end of humanity is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. Think of it this way . . . . whatever you treasure, that’s what’s going to grab your heart. Jesus told us - - - -
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21
Your heart will always follow whatever it is that you treasure. If you treasure fine dining, then that’s what you’ll do. If you treasure reading the Bible and communion with God, then your heart will also be there.
If we don't treasure Christ, we cannot enjoy Him and won't glorify Him. Christianity is not about asceticism (the denial of pleasure), but hedonism (the pursuit of pleasure).
The Christian life is one of Christian Hedonism ---- our greatest joy comes in and through God’s glory.
This is what we’re created for, it’s what we long for, it’s what we hope for. Our lives are meant to passionately celebrate the power and presence of God in our lives. God created you! You’re created in His image.
Consider this question . . .
if God is love, all love, 100% love, then would God create you and destine you to a life of misery?
This question occurred to me as I was writing this message. Consider it! Yes, we all go through difficult times, yet inspite of them, we can still experience the power and the presence of God and praise Him as we walk through the valleys.
And we can only do this because we know God! If you don’t know God and that’s the Hebrew word YADA! It’s an intimate knowing. It’s the knowing that a husband and wife have. It’s that kind of closeness and because of it, we can’t help but be filled with joy - - - because we know God.
When I consider what Jesus did for me . . . when I know He sacrificed His life for mine; when I can accept that on my own I can’t earn eternity, but only through the grace of God can I enter; - - - -
- - - - and when I really take it in, that God not only forgives me, but He causes Himself to forget my sinfulness and on judgement day - - - He freely and willingly embraces me as the Father embraces His lost child.
That should lead me to be filled with joy!
I hope that does for you right now! I hope you’re thinking to yourself . . . YES! YES! YES! That’s what I believe, that’s what I want.
We love to praise what we enjoy because the praise completes the enjoyment. Think about it — — when you’re super excited about something that happened in your life, you can’t wait to tell someone.
When you get a new job, meet someone new, get engaged, when it’s a loved one you’re proud of — — you want to tell others. You want to brag on them, because in a sense that’s part of the joy you’re experiencing.
God wants nothing more than to give Himself to us. He didn’t come to condemn us, but to love us and give us life.
And when we receive Him, our hearts should be leaping for joy. It should be part of our worship. When we come here, we’re excited to praise God for His blessings. Even more than that, it should be part of our everyday lives.
So, the question from God from verse 2 is that haunting question. Why are you working so hard at being miserable? You know people like that, don’t you? They’re miserable.
It would take a few changes and you can see the answers to all of their problems, but they seem to enjoy being miserable and unsatisfied. It makes no sense! But sometimes we look in the mirror and we see ourselves being that very person.
Our plight is obvious. This path is not working for us. Idolatry is exhausting — and expensive. It promises us a good time but leaves us tired, broke, and hungry. We’re dried up. Empty. Done.
And that’s really the secret of change. When we finally recognize the greatest need of all, our thirst, now we’re ready to move toward God. That’s why I believe God begins with the powerful longing of thirst in 55:1 - - - -
1 “Come, everyone who THIRSTS, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!
If you’ve been living a life and wanting to have this joy, I believe God sees you. He does! And He comes with hope and promise. He doesn’t come to scold us. He doesn’t come to pity us. He comes with a better deal: a holiday at the sea, freely offered.
2 Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, - Isaiah 55:2–3
Look at those verbs. They’re all intense. But here’s the beauty of God, none are burdensome. We are called to - - -
“Listen! Eat! Delight! Incline your ear! Come! Hear!”
God wants our whole being. He’s calling!
Who wants chicken nuggets, when a feast is being offered?
Refreshing water. Sweet wine. Fresh Milk and bread. This isn’t cheap box wine or skim milk. It’s not unsalted crackers either. This is the good stuff. But come only if you thirst and are hungry.
We were created to feast with God! We don’t have to settle for mud pies, we were created to build sand castles at the sea. The only requirement is this — ADMIT YOUR NEED
Only one thing keeps people from experiencing this “holiday at sea.” They refuse to open themselves up to God. I’m not only talking about unbelievers. Christians do this.
We get stuck. We get hardened. We forget that Jesus is the most understanding and forgiving person in the universe — and the most approachable. He draws near to saints and sinners, alike with a surprising offer.
My door is open. My table is prepared. Come. Sit. Eat. Drink. Enjoy my feast. Your need is deep. My provision is rich. My invitation is too good to refuse and too urgent to delay.
This is the heart of God. It’s how he closes out the last chapter in the Bible. John tells us - - - -
17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.”
And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. - Revelation 22:17
How cool is that? John, at the end of the Bible, is making that same offer. It’s for the one who desires it. Take the water, drink it, bathe in it, because it is the water of LIFE. And there is no cost, just like in Isaiah, it’s without price.
God is inviting us. This is the message He wants every member of the human race to hear — right now. Don’t forget this: God is not afraid to come to you in the mud puddles. Stretch out your muddy hands to God.
God’s feast — this holiday at the sea — is FREE to you. It cost God dearly. Jesus paid the price. Jesus covered all the expenses. That’s the beauty of the Gospel. That’s why it’s truly “good news” to us, Jesus paid it all, and this feast is all about His goodness and love.
Let me leave you with these words from Jesus, from the gospel of John, Jesus said - - - -
35 I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst …
AND
37 If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink” - John 6:35; 7:37
What are you thirsting for? Draw near to Jesus. Draw near to the only One who can help you! He is calling you. Will you open the door and let Him in so He can eat with you and you with Him?
