Taking The Focus Off Of Ourselves Series

What am I Missing Here?

Steps to Recovering Your Joy

October 24, 2010

Calvary Baptist Church

Hebrews 12:2

SERMON 4: Taking the Focus Off of Ourselves

What am I missing here? What is wrong with me? Why am I not finding joy in the Lord?

• First, may I say to you, that it is good that you have noticed this.

• It is only by the Holy Spirit’s work in your life that you even care.

• Furthermore, it is a good sign of genuine conversion.

• For the lost man or woman, there is no thought of this.

• To them, they are just fine and see no need of the question.

• But to you, whose spirits resonate with this preacher’s question, you know that something is missing.

• You see in the faces, in the lives of others, a light, a joy, a power.

• And as you honestly evaluate yourself, you must admit that you do not have this light, this joy, this power!

REVIEW OF PREVIOUS MESSAGES

1) Dispositions differ

2) Emotions are not the test of our spiritual state.

• #1: FAILURE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN HIS STANDING (OR POSITION IN CHRIST) AND HIS CIRCUMSTANCES.

• #2: PERHAPS YOU LIVE TOO MUCH IN YOUR FEELINGS, TOO LITTLE IN YOUR WILL.

• #3: PERHAPS YOU HAVE DISOBEYED SOME CLEAR COMMAND

• TODAY: PERHAPS YOU LOOK TOO MUCH INWARD ON SELF, INSTEAD OF OUTWARD ON THE LORD JESUS

INTRODUCTION

The healthiest people do not think about their health; the weak induce disease by morbid introspection. If you begin to count your heartbeats, you will disturb the rhythmic action of the heart. If you continually imagine a pain anywhere you will produce it. And there are some true children of God who induce their own darkness by morbid self-scrutiny. They are always going back on themselves, analyzing their motives, reconsidering past acts of consecration, comparing themselves with themselves. In one form or another self is the pivot of their life, albeit that it is undoubtedly a religious life. What but darkness can result from such a course? F.B. Meyer

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I. The Place for Focusing Upon Our Life (2 Cor. 10:12)

NOTE: Before we begin, let us note one examination that is clearly prohibited!

2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

A. Self-Examination

There are certainly times in our lives when we must look within, and judge ourselves that we be not judged. But this is only done that we may turn with fuller purpose of heart to the Lord.

1. In Salvation (2 Cor. 13:5)

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

2. In Sanctification (1 Cor. 11:28, 31)

1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

QUOTE: Yes, there are certainly times in our lives when we must look within, and judge ourselves that we be not judged. But this is only done that we may turn with fuller purpose of heart to the Lord. And when once done, it needs not to be repeated. "Leaving the things behind" is the only safe motto. The question is not whether we did as well as we might, but whether we did as well as we could at the time. F. B. Meyer

B. Divine Examination (Ps. 26:2; 139:1,23; 1 John 3:20)

• How much better to let the Lord do the searching?

Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

Psalm 139:1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

• God is much better at a genuine examination that we could ever be!

1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

II. The Priority of Focusing on the Lord

A. Bible Instructions

1. Trust the Lord (Ps. 28:7, Jer. 17:7; Mic. 7:7)

Psalm 28:7 * The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.