The Joy of Jesus and Heaven

The Joy of Jesus is praying for all people to know the fullness of God in Christ Jesus. We are living under difficult times. People are suffering. We need your support. Visit our sponsors. This helps our ministry help others without cost to you. We pray that our message of love will move you in The Name of Jesus to help. God Bless you. Our focus is above; Heaven with Jesus.

Maintaining a heavenly focus
By Steve Kimmel

Colossians 2:20a; 3:1-10, 12-14, 17
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, August 13



American jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes famously complained, “Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” That’s a cheap and glib criticism that usually overestimates the heavenly mindedness of ineffectual people and underestimates the heavenly mindedness of truly effectual people.

In our focal passage we see that Paul is urging us to maintain a heavenly focus. Paul is writing to the believers in the church in Colosse (a town in modern day Turkey) from prison in Rome, in about A.D. 60. He was writing, primarily, to refute what has come to be regarded as “The Colossian Heresy.” Paul never explicitly describes the false teaching, but we can infer the heresy’s principal characteristics from his letter.

• Ceremonialism. This is an over-investment in the value of rules and regulations, including circumcision (2:11, 16-17, 3:11).

• Asceticism. The denigration of comfort and pleasure and the elevation of discipline, discomfort and privation (2:21, 23).

• Angel worship. Don’t let this confuse or distract you (2:18).

• Diminishment of Christ. This is implied in Paul’s strong emphasis on the supremacy of Christ (1:15-20; 2:2-3, 9).

• Secret knowledge. The Gnostics believed that knowledge was the key to salvation. Paul stresses that we need only “know” Christ, in whom the fullness of God is revealed (2:2-3, 2:18).

• Reliance on human wisdom and tradition. False teachers emphasized that salvation was the result of the combination of faith in Christ, secret knowledge and adherence to man-made regulations. Paul would emphasize that Christ plus nothing equals salvation (2:4, 8).



How can you maintain a heavenly focus?

Look up. The criticism of Oliver Wendell Holmes, et al, notwithstanding, it’s important to emphasize that we must maintain a heavenly focus. So, this is the first thing in maintaining a heavenly focus. Recognize that it is not only legitimate and desirable, but also imperative. The command is clear, “Set your hearts on things above where Christ is …. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (3:1-2). In other words, look up.

C.S. Lewis said, “If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven” (The Joyful Christian, p.138). In other words, to be of earthly good, maintain a heavenly focus. Look up.

Answering the call to follow Jesus is no small thing. In fact, Paul describes it in terms of death. “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (3:3). The startling reality is, we are welcomed into relationship with Christ through death. It is the only way.

Look back. This of course means that you must not only look up, you must look back. Look back at your old, sinful ways and determine to be rid of them. “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed. …Rid yourselves of these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language. Do not lie to each other” (3:5, 8-9).

Paul doesn’t engage in any psychobabble. Instead, he simply says, “Stop doing these things.” Because of your upward look and your confidence in Christ, you have died to sin. Look back at your old way of life and exercise the discipline necessary to be rid of these old, destructive patterns.

Elia Zedeno was on the 73rd floor of Tower One on September 11, 2001. When the plane struck, she actually felt the building lurch, as though it might topple. You might think that her next instinct would be to flee. But it wasn’t. She said, “What I really wanted was for someone to scream back, ‘Everything is okay! Don’t worry.’” But fortunately, at least one colleague responded differently. The answer she got was another co-worker screaming, “Get out of the building!” The directness startled her into action, which saved her life.

Paul is equally direct and equally urgent. Get out of this old way of life! Stop doing these things. They are inconsistent with the upward look and your new position in Christ.

Look ahead. The look up and the look back are meaningful only insofar as they lead to a look ahead. If our loving look up teaches us anything, it is that it’s not enough simply to put off the old; we must also put on the new.

Paul tells us, “Clothe yourselves” (3:12). Then he lists the several Christian graces we are to conspicuously wear (3:12-13). What he is describing is a person who has been transformed. In the gospel of John, Jesus would describe it as being “born again.” It describes a change (the things you’ve put off and the things you’ve put on) so complete, so fundamental, that the only reasonable way to describe it is to use the imagery of death, and beginning again.

Paul lists numerous specifics with which we are to clothe ourselves, but he summarizes them by telling us, “Over all these virtues put on love” (3:14). Paul deals with the idea of “putting off” and “putting on” in Romans 13. There he describes the cohesive nature of this love by repeating the rule, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Rm. 13:9).

How can you go about getting these three looks in proper order in your life? Well, be guided by the adage that says, “Be smart comes before be strong.” Therefore:

Insert yourself into positive surroundings. Simply refuse to put yourself in situations that obscure your look back and wash out your bright look ahead. “Don’t go there” not only has a figurative meaning; it has a literal meaning, too.

Expose yourself to positive messages. Decide now to reduce your exposure to the corrosive effects of popular media – movies, television, music, Internet. And increase your exposure to those things that are uplifting and affirming.

Involve yourself with positive people. You can only take so much of whiny crybabies who constantly complain. Avoid them. On purpose. Determine to spend more time around happy people.

Copyright © 2010, The Christian Index, All rights reserved, Unless otherwise noted.

Give to The Joy of Jesus Today...

Sermon Praise God and Thank God Today

Psalm 100
A Psalm of Thanksgiving.
1 Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;[a]
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations

Sermon: Thank God and Praise God for The Joy of Jesus.

Today our hearts and souls are filled with the glory of God. Why is this the case given all of the misfortune in the world? God is still on His throne. Jesus is alive in the spirit. The Holy Spirit is burning in our hearts to do the perfect will of God.

Whe Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world and shed His blood for our salvation, this is a time for complete joy. The joy of the Lord is our salvation.

We praise god and Thank god for spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. We pray for all people. We know that Jesus will return with all power, honor and glory. God raise Jesus from the grave so that we may join Him in paradise. glory to God in The Highest. We ask in Jesus name that you will share and bless this ministry from your heart. A-men

Prayer for Love

Dear God of Heaven and Earth,

We love Thee in Christ Jesus Your Son
and The Holy Spirit.

We pray for Love today.
Jesus died for our sins as an act of love.
God raised Jesus from the grave with all
Power, Honor and Glory.

We need love so much today.
There is violence,poverty, and sickness all over the world.

We believe that your love can make all things right.

Lord we continue to pray for The Joy of Jesus. We pray that you will continue to bless us with need members.

We thank God for all of the blessings in Christ Jesus. We praise God for all of oue faithful members and pray that they are always blessed with Your love.

We pray for love in the name of Jesus for all of our situations. Glory to god in The Highest and Love for all people. In Jesus name we pray.

Convocation 1 million Strong for The Joy of Jesus

The battle line for good and evil are becoming clearer each day for the people of faith. There are so many problems in the world that give us signs that mankind can not handle in a conventional sense. Our prayer is simply and clear. We pray for love.

The Joy of Jesus is growing each day to the glory of God. Our faith is in The Power of God in Christ Jesus. God is Love.

We believe the more we find love in our hearts the closer we are with God in The Joy of Jesus. All Jesus wanted to do was the will of god. This is all we ask in prayer.

We need your support. Do share our site with your contacts. Visit our sponsor, obtain our toolbar and pass it on to your contacts. We pray for 1 million people to join The Joy of Jesus today. We are asking that God bless you and everyone with everything they need in the Lord. In Jesus name we pray....
http://thejoyofjesuschurchonline.blogspot.com/

Prayer for People in Poverty

Dear God, our Father of The Lord Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit.

We pray for all people lost in poverty. We pray that their is food to eat and water to drink. We pray for warmth at night. We pray for their needs to be met.

Lord we thank You for all that You do. We praise Thee all in Christ Jesus. Lord open our hearts and give us love and peace in Your name. The Joy of Jesus needs Your Power to touch those who can give to make this world a better place until Your return to set all things right. Glory to God all in Christ Jesus we pray. A-men..

The Joy of Jesus is Calling

The challenges for civilization today are overwhelming. The Joy of Jesus is seeking to bring into sharp focus the need and source of love. We are looking for one-million people to join this movement with any obligation.

The Joy of Jesus has so many services for people to access. We offer centers in; education,health,jobs,peace,green technology,business, and parenting. There is also a Christian Education Center as well.

The Joy of Jesus On-line Church needs one-million people to place their best hopes in love. Join this group by visiting http://thejoyofjesuschurchonline.blogspot.com/

Bible Study Christian Comfort

No Condemnation

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus"

Romans 8:1

"There is therefore now no condemnation." The eighth chapter of the epistle to the Romans concludes the first section of that wonderful epistle. Its opening word "Therefore" ("There is" is in italics, because supplied by the translators) may be viewed in a twofold way. First, it connects with all that has been said from 3:21. An inference is now deduced from the whole of the preceding discussion, an inference which was, in fact, the grand conclusion toward which the apostle had been aiming throughout the entire argument. Because Christ has been set forth "a propitiation through faith in His blood" (3:25); because He was "delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification" (4:25); because by the obedience of the One the many (believers of all ages) are "made righteous," constituted so, legally, (5:19); because believers have "died (judicially) to sin" (6:2); because they have "died" to the condemning power of the law (7:4), there is "therefore now NO CONDEMNATION."

But not only is the "therefore" to be viewed as a conclusion drawn from the whole of the previous discussion, it is also to be considered as having a close relation to what immediately precedes. In the second half of Romans 7 the apostle had described the painful and ceaseless conflict which is waged between the antagonistic natures in the one who has been born again, illustrating this by a reference to his own personal experiences as a Christian. Having portrayed with a master pen (himself sitting for the picture) the spiritual struggles of the child of God, the apostle now proceeds to direct attention to the Divine consolation for a condition so distressing and humiliating. The transition from the despondent tone of the seventh chapter to the triumphant language of the eighth appears startling and abrupt, yet is quite logical and natural. If it is true that to the saints of God belongs the conflict of sin and death, under whose effect they mourn, equally true is it that their deliverance from the curse and the corresponding condemnation is a victory in which they rejoice. A very striking contrast is thus pointed. In the second half of Romans 7 the apostle treats the power of sin, which operates in believers as long as they are in the world; in the opening verses of chapter eight, he speaks of the guilt of sin from which they are completely delivered the moment they are united to the Saviour by faith. Hence in 7:24 the apostle asks "Who shall deliver me" from the power of sin, but in 8:2 he says, "hath made me free," i.e. hath delivered me, from the guilt of sin.

"There is therefore now no condemnation." It is not here a question of our heart condemning us (as in 1 John 3:21), nor of us finding nothing within which is worthy of condemnation; instead, it is the far more blessed fact that God condemns not the one who has trusted in Christ to the saving of his soul. We need to distinguish sharply between subjective and objective truth; between that which is judicial and that which is experimental; otherwise, we shall fail to draw form such Scriptures as the one now before us the comfort and peace they are designed to convey. There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. "In Christ" is the believer’s position before God, not his condition in the flesh. "In Adam" I was condemned (Rom. 5:12); but "in Christ" is to be forever freed from all condemnation.

"There is therefore now no condemnation." The qualifying "now" implies there was a time when Christians, before they believed, were under condemnation. This was before they died with Christ, died judicially (Gal. 2:20) to the penalty of God’s righteous law. This "now," then, distinguishes between two states or conditions. By nature we were "under the (sentence of) law," but now believers are "under grace" (Rom. 6:14). By nature we were "children of wrath" (Eph. 2:2), but now we are "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6). Under the first covenant we were "in Adam" (1 Cor. 15:22), but now we are "in Christ" (Rom. 8:1). As believers in Christ we have everlasting life, and because of this we "shall not come into condemnation."

Condemnation is a word of tremendous import, and the better we understand it the more shall we appreciate the wondrous grace that has delivered us from its power. In the halls of a human court this is a term which falls with fearful knell upon the ear of the convicted criminal and fills the spectators with sadness and horror. But in the court of Divine Justice it is vested with a meaning and content infinitely more solemn and awe-inspiring. To that Court every member of Adam’s fallen race is cited. "Conceived in sin, shapen in iniquity" each one enters this world under arrest – an indicted criminal, a rebel manacled. How, then, is it possible for such a one to escape the execution of the dread sentence? There was only one way, and that was by the removal from us of that which called forth the sentence, namely sin. Let guilt be removed and there can be "no condemnation."

Has guilt been removed, removed, we mean, from the sinner who believes? Let the Scriptures answer: "As far as the east is from the west so far hath he removed our transgressions from us" (Ps. 103:12). "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions" (Isa. 43:25). "Thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back" (Isa. 38:17). "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb. 10:17).

But how could guilt be removed? Only by it being transferred. Divine holiness could not ignore it; but Divine grace could and did transfer it. The sins of believers were transferred to Christ: "The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isa 53:6). "For he hath made him to be sin for us" (2 Cor. 5:21).

"There is therefore no condemnation." The "no" is emphatic. It signifies there is no condemnation whatsoever. No condemnation from the law, or on account of inward corruption, or because Satan can substantiate a charge against me; there is none from any source or for any cause at all. "No condemnation" means that none at all is possible; that none ever will be. There is no condemnation because there is no accusation (see 8:33), and there can be no accusation because there is no imputation of sin (see 4:8).

"There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." When treating of the conflict between the two natures in the believer the apostle had, in the previous chapter, spoken of himself in his own person, in order to show that the highest attainments in grace do no exempt from the internal warfare which he there describes. But here in 8:1 the apostle changes the number. He does not say, There is no condemnation to me, but "to them which are in Christ Jesus." This was most gracious of the Holy Spirit. Had the apostle spoken here in the singular number, we should have reasoned that such a blessed exemption was well suited to this honored servant of God who enjoyed such wondrous privileges; but could not apply to us. The Spirit of God, therefore, moved the apostle to employ the plural number here, to show that "no condemnation" is true of all in Christ Jesus.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." To be in Christ Jesus is to be perfectly identified with Him in the judicial reckoning and dealings of God: and it is also to be one with Him as vitally united by faith. Immunity from condemnation does not depend in any-wise upon our "walk," but solely on our being "in Christ." "The believer is in Christ as Noah was enclosed within the ark, with the heavens darkening above him, and the waters heaving beneath him, yet not a drop of the flood penetrating his vessel, not a blast of the storm disturbing the serenity of his spirit. The believer is in Christ as Jacob was in the garment of the elder brother when Isaac kissed and blessed him. He is in Christ as the poor homicide was within the city of refuge when pursued by the avenger of blood, but who could not overtake and slay him" (Dr. Winslow, 1857). And because he is "in Christ" there is, therefore, no condemnation for him. Hallelujah!