A Call for Joy…(even this week!?!)
by Brenda Vassaur Taylor
August 21, 2024
In the spirit of yesterday’s offering of a reading alternative to this week’s all-consuming media obsession with those who hate our country (and themselves), I challenge you to take 50 minutes to argue with this sermon rather than CNN or MSNBC or Barack Obama or even friends or family.
In late 2022, John MacArthur told his congregation to view this time of desperate cultural decline as a call for “joy”. Personally, I find this a real challenge. It seems that everywhere we turn today, there is confusion, chaos, and strong disagreement.
So, the fact is—I need to be reminded how I am to view our circumstances. This sermon is a good place for me to do that.
For background, in July 2021, Grace Community Church won a lawsuit against the state of California which was aggressively trying to assess fines against the church, put its pastor in jail, and close its doors as “not essential”. This sermon delivered only 22 months ago was the continued response to believers trying to do their best to live in today’s world and fight the good fight.
I invite you to listen to all of it. Let us know if you have questions or want to discuss the contents. I believe you will be better edified spending this week arguing with this text and these doctrines than watching the reality of our country’s decline on TV or even on Instagram reels.
Below are the main verses from his message. (If you are a believer and disagree with the Christian doctrines MacArthur teaches, then I suggest you go to yesterday’s article, note the asterisk title, and read the biography of George Whitefield.)
Enjoy! And you are welcome!
1 Peter 1:3-9
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”
