The Joy of God; Luke 10:21-24

Delivered during the Sunday morning worship service, 6/4/2023. As Luke's discussion of the "sending of the seventy-two" draws to a close, Jesus launches into one of the most unique and revealing soliloquies in the Synoptic Gospels. Overflowing with joy, Jesus praises His Father for the wisdom and grace of His selective revelation according to His sovereign will. We will ponder the paradox that what seems to be a difficult doctrine for most Evangelicals to accept, is to God a source of infinite joy. Then Jesus reaffirms His preeminence by describing both the universality and exclusivity of His relationship with the Father. And finally He turns to His disciples to emphasize how blessed and privileged they are to have seen what they have seen. As we process these great principles we will stay true to Luke's emphasis by celebrating God's sovereignty in election rather than defending it. Ultimately we will consider the amazing privilege the preeminent Christ has afforded to those of us saved by His blood, to witness and benefit from the glorious and unfathomable Joy of God.