Young People's Group

HAVING JOY IN LIFE AND MINISTRY

by Pastor Mitch
February 07, 2010

Rejoicing In Finding Success In Ministry

Serving the Lord can be a most joyous experience. Despite all the challenges that the disciples of Jesus had to face, they still found joy in ministering for the Lord. The Lord Jesus had just sent out seventy disciples to the “harvest field”. When they returned to Him, they reported of their ability to wield tremendous spiritual powers. They were able to cast out demons in the name of Jesus. They greatly rejoiced in this.

“Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.'” 
Luke 10:17

Finding power and success in ministry should bring joy to the heart of any servant of God. However, this should not be the primary source of our joy.

Rejoicing In Our Salvation

“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” 
Luke 10:20

In the text of Luke 10:1, the Lord Jesus had given great power and authority to his seventy disciples to stand against the powers of the enemy. They did great things for God that even Satan stood up and noticed. And yet, rejoicing in having power in ministry should not be our focus. Our main focus should be on rejoicing in the salvation we have in Christ. The Lord commanded his disciples to find joy in the fact that their names were written in heaven. A long time ago, God had already inscribed our names in heaven. We too can rejoice in the hope of going to heaven one day. Let’s always make our eternal life in heaven the primary source of rejoicing.

Rejoicing In God Revealing Truths To His People

“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes.'”
Luke 10:21

The Lord Jesus showed to His disciples what it meant to find great joy. He gave thanks to the Father that He had revealed deep hidden truths to His disciples. This revelation of truths was indeed a great privilege. Great kings and prophets had desired to see what the disciples saw. These spiritual insights were not given to the wise nor the prudent. However, it was given to “babes” … people who were insignificant and with no personal standing in this world. The Lord Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit that God His Father had opened the understanding of His disciples. Spiritual insight should always bring joy to our hearts. Life and ministry can be tough. Let’s not focus on the challenges that we are facing. Instead, let’s follow the example of Jesus in rejoicing that God reveals deeps truths to His people.

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