J & COVID19

…sowing and reaping during a crisis

ABD AL-RAHMAN III

■ was an emir and caliph of Córdoba in 10th-century

Spain. He was an absolute ruler who lived in
complete luxury

■ “I have now reigned above 50 years in victory or

peace; beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my
enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and
honors, power and pleasure, have waited on my call,
nor does any earthly blessing appear to have been
wanting to my felicity.”
ABD AL-RAHMAN III

■ “I have diligently numbered the days of pure and

genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot: They
amount to 14.”
Challenges around us..

■ Getting infected and die of Coronavirus

■ Job loss
■ Family struggles
■ Stress
■ Anxiety
■ Almost no hope
JOY IN TIMES OF CRISES
…sowing and reaping
WHY IS JOY SO IMPORTANT?
…sowing and reaping
Why is JOY so important in a crisis?

1. The Joy of the Lord is our Strength

■ Neh. 8:10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet
drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This
day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is
your strength.”
Why is JOY so important?

2. Joy is the second part of the fruit of the Spirit

■ Gal. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Why is JOY so important?

3. Jesus wanted his disciples to have it

■ John 17:13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I
am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my
joy within them.
Why is JOY so important?

4. It’s a mandate

■ Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
■ 1Th. 5:16 Rejoice always,
Why is JOY so important?

5. Joy is one of the credentials of our faith

■ EGW: “It is our privilege to carry with us the credentials of our

faith,—love, joy, and peace. When we do this, we shall be able to
present the mighty arguments of the cross of Christ.” ML 14.4
Why is JOY so important?

6. Curses were promised to Israel if …

■ Deut. 28.45 All these curses will come on you...

■ Deut. 28:47 "Because you did not serve the LORD your God
joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity,"
WHAT IS JOY?
What is joy?
■ Joy is not a requirement of Christian discipleship, it’s a
consequence
■ Joy is the produce of abundance, it’s the overflow of vitality
■ Joy is not feeling good all the time. That is impossible

■ Rick Warren:
– Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the
details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately
everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to
praise God in every situation.
What is joy?
■ It’s the consequence of trusting God

– EGW: You will ever find with the true Christian a marked
cheerfulness, a holy, happy confidence in God, a submission
to His providences, that is refreshing to the soul. 3T 377.1
Joy according to our world…
■ ‘Happiness”
■ Entertainment
– Fun, excitement, kill boredom
■ Movies
■ Video games
■ …
WHAT IS JOY?
A Biblical Perspective
Psalm 126
■ Past verses 1-2
■ Present verse 3
■ Future verses 4-6
Psalm 126 - Joy - Past
1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,

our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
Psalm 126 - Joy - Present
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126 - Joy - Future
4 Restore our fortunes, a LORD,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
Psalm 126 - Joy - PAST
1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”

■ Joy borrows from the past

■ Joy builds on the past, on what God has done
■ It remembers, it cherishes, it’s certain it was real
■ Usually people think and look for reasons to be joyful only in today, the
circumstances around me, what is taking place now.
■ But Biblically, true joy is built on the past, in remembering, in knowing who
God has been in the past.
Psalm 126 - Joy - Present
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

JOY in PRESENT
■ Because of the past,
■ Because of God’s faithfulness
■ Because of what I have experienced
■ Because of who God is!
■ Because we trust God, and we have faith and know who He is
Psalm 126 - Joy - Present
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

JOY in PRESENT
■ EGW: Faith in God's love and overruling providence lightens the
burdens of anxiety and care. It fills the heart with joy and
contentment in the highest or the lowliest lot. Religion tends
directly to promote health, to lengthen life, and to heighten our
enjoyment of all its blessings. It opens to the soul a never-failing
fountain of happiness. ML 158.8
Psalm 126 - Joy - Present
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

JOY in PRESENT
■ Joy is not about circumstances,
– or if there is abundance of resources, money, or family is
doing well, and all are healthy.
– That’s how Paul can say “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say
it again: Rejoice!a “ Phil 4.4
Psalm 126 - Joy - Present
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

JOY in PRESENT
■ Joy It’s the response to the abundance of God and
■ Joy is not allowing our own desires and needs to be the dictators
of our lives and trusting God
■ Present joy borrows from the past deeply, but also looks forward
to the future
Psalm 126 - Joy - Future
4 Restore our fortunes, a LORD, like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying
sheaves with them.

■ Joy expects some things to happen

■ And rejoices in them already
■ Jesus said he went to prepare a place for us (John 14.1-3) and
that our hearts should not be troubled because He will come
back to take us home.
Psalm 126 - Joy - Future
4 Restore our fortunes, a LORD, like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying
sheaves with them.

■ Adventists know
– WHAT is coming
– WHO is coming, and
– HOW it will happen
■ Adventists know the end of the story of this world, of sin, and of
our lives
Psalm 126 - Joy - Future
4 Restore our fortunes, a LORD, like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying
sheaves with them.

■ Adventists know
– Rom 8.28 28 And we know that in all things God works for the
good of those who love him, who have been called according
to his purpose.
Psalm 126 - Joy - Future
4 Restore our fortunes, a LORD, like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying
sheaves with them.

Joy and sorrow

■ Joy doesn’t negate dark side, sufferings, pain
■ v 5-6 talk about tears and crying. That is part of life.
– Joy comes because. We know God will wife away our teas
– Because we know how the movie ends!
JOY IS THE RESULT
…sowing and reaping
Sowing and reaping …

■ Gal. 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A

man reaps what he sows.
■ 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will
reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from
the Spirit will reap eternal life.
How can we sow for joy?
Sow by…

1. Knowing how God feels about you!

EGW "Let me know that Jesus smiles upon me; let me know
that he approves my actions and my course, and then let
come what may, let afflictions be ever so great, I will be
resigned to my lot and rejoice in the Lord" - RH December
21, 1886, par. 2
Sow by…

2. Placing the Word of God in your mind

16 When your words came, I ate them;

they were my joy and my heart’s delight,
for I bear your name,
LORD God Almighty.
Sow by…

3. Keeping you mind focused

Your present happiness and your future, eternal

happiness depend upon your fixing your mind upon
cheerful things, looking away from the dark picture,
which is imaginary, to the benefits which God has
strewn in your pathway, and beyond these, to the
unseen and eternal. 1T 703.1
Sow by…

4. Making God first

EGW: Those who in everything make God first and last

and best are the happiest people in the world. ML 161.3
Sow by…

5. Trusting God

EGW Words cannot describe the peace and joy

possessed by him who takes God at His word. Trials do
not disturb him, slights do not vex him. Self is crucified.
Day by day his duties may become more taxing, his
temptations stronger, his trials more severe; but he does
not falter; for he receives strength equal to his need. ML
51.3
Sow by…
6. Serving, blessing others

“Seize every opportunity to contribute to the happiness of

those around you, sharing with them your affection. Words
of kindness, looks of sympathy, expression of appreciation,
would to many a struggling, lonely one be as a cup of cold
water to a thirsty soul. A word of cheer, an act of kindness,
would go far to lighten the burdens that are resting heavily
upon weary shoulders. It is in unselfish ministry that true
happiness is found. And every word and deed of such
service is recorded in the books of heaven as done to
Christ.... Live in the sunshine of Christ's love. Then your
influence will bless the world.” ML 165.3
Sow by…
6. Serving, blessing others

“Angels are ever engaged in working for the happiness of others.

This is their joy... Those who feel no special pleasure in seeking to
be a blessing to others, in working, even at a sacrifice, to do them
good, cannot have the spirit of Christ or of heaven; for they have no
union with the work of heavenly angels and cannot participate in
the bliss that imparts elevated joy to them… If the joy of angels is
to see sinners repent, will it not be the joy of sinners, saved by the
blood of Christ, to see others repent and turn to Christ through
their instrumentality? In working in harmony with Christ and the
holy angels we shall experience a joy that cannot be realized aside
from this work.” 3T 381.3,4
Sow by…
6. Serving, blessing others

“Angels are ever engaged in working for the happiness of others.

This is their joy... Those who feel no special pleasure in seeking to
be a blessing to others, in working, even at a sacrifice, to do them
good, cannot have the spirit of Christ or of heaven; for they have no
union with the work of heavenly angels and cannot participate in
the bliss that imparts elevated joy to them… If the joy of angels is
to see sinners repent, will it not be the joy of sinners, saved by the
blood of Christ, to see others repent and turn to Christ through
their instrumentality? In working in harmony with Christ and the
holy angels we shall experience a joy that cannot be realized aside
from this work.” 3T 381.3,4
And your tears and weeping will
become JOY!

5 Those who sow with tears

will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
 BE A SOWER AND
AMBASSADOR OF JOY
(sowing and reaping joy in times of crisis)