Young Adults' Group

The Joy Of Our Salvation

by Pastor Mark
November 17, 2016

The joy of doing well in ministry

When we experience some success in ministry, it is most natural to respond with joy. The Lord Jesus sent out 70 disciples to reach out to the people. They were able to find some success in ministry and they returned to the Lord with joy, “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” (Luke 10:17)

The disciples were able to cause demons to become subject to them. This was done in the power of the Lord’s name. They were involved in great spiritual warfare and they were able to have the victory. They were truly excited about reporting what had happened to the Lord. It was only natural to respond with joy in their hearts.

The spiritual perspective of the Lord

The Lord Jesus had a far deeper perspective from the disciples, “And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” (Luke 10:18) The Lord Jesus saw beyond what the disciples saw. They saw demons become subject to them. Jesus saw Satan fall like lightning.  He was defeated with regard to this battle. It showed that Satan can be defeated.

The Lord Jesus gave the disciples power…power to have special authority over demons and protection from all harm. They were able to be victorious in ministry through this power.

Focusing on the greater joy of 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)

There is a greater joy to focus on. The Lord sought to change the perspective of the disciples

There was nothing wrong with having joy in their success in ministry. Indeed, it must have been a thrill to see that the spirits were subject to them.

But there was a greater joy that they should focus on. The disciples should be focusing on rejoicing in their salvation. The phrase “are written’ is written in the perfect tense. This means that their names have already in the past been written down in heaven. The continuing effect is for them to rejoice. The word “rejoice” is written in the present imperative. The challenge for them is to continue to rejoice as they are secured in their salvation and in their place in heaven. Salvation should always bring to us the greatest sense of joy

Finding joy in our salvation

While we may not have the kind of powerful ministry that these disciples had, the Lord has given us power to minister. As we seek to reach out, we would be able to find success in our ministry.

Yet, let us be challenged to see beyond the joy of the success of ministry. We should have a greater focus as the Lord Jesus did.

Let’s be challenged to discover the greater joy of our salvation. Our names have been written in the book of heaven. This is a similar thought that we learnt from Hebrews, “to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven,” (Heb 12:23) No matter what we have to encounter through the course of life and ministry, this is one joy that will truly last. Let us continue to rejoice that our name have been written in heaven.

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