Joy to the World
Notes
Transcript
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Christmas is a Joyous embrace of God's Sovereignty in Christ (v.45-49)
Christmas is a Joyous embrace of God's Sovereignty in Christ (v.45-49)
Mary celebrates the election of God in her life. Mary was chosen, before the beginning of the world, to be the mother of Messiah.
In a joyous celebration of God's Sovereign grace, Mary proclaims that "he who is mighty has done a great thing!"
Our source of joy is in this. The mighty God of the universe, who is sovereign and faithful, has done a great thing.
In the same way, God has chosen to save men and women by his gracious mercy in Christ. We have joy today because Christ has come and because He has saved us from our sins.
Christmas is a Joyful reminder of God's Character Revealed in Christ
Christmas is a Joyful reminder of God's Character Revealed in Christ
We're Joyful Because God is Merciful (v. 50)
We're Joyful Because God is Merciful (v. 50)
God is merciful. What a blessed truth. We are joyful because the sovereign God of the universe is merciful to those who fear him from generation to generation.
I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
We're Joyful Because God is Just (v. 51-52)
We're Joyful Because God is Just (v. 51-52)
God's justice is another source of our joy this year.
Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.
We're Joyful Because God is Generous (v. 53)
We're Joyful Because God is Generous (v. 53)
God doesn’t just give us what we need. He also longs to provide for our deepest desires, beyond our greatest hopes.
and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”
We're Joyful Because God is Faithful (v. 54-55)
We're Joyful Because God is Faithful (v. 54-55)
God promised Israel, he promise Abraham, Jacob and Isaac, that he would provide for them a land, a people, and an inheritance.
Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise! Jesus is the true King of Israel whose kingdom
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
Christmas is a Joy-Filled promise of God's Presence with Christ
Christmas is a Joy-Filled promise of God's Presence with Christ
We have great joy because of Christ.
And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
Every Christmas, as we look at that babe in the straw we are reminded of a truth:
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Christ came to give us eternal life and his presence.
John at the presence of Jesus, leapt for joy.
And now we have the presence of Christ among us.
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
So how is Christ with us?
He is with us in his Holy Spirit promised us.
He is with us in his Holy Spirit promised us.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
He is with us in his Body the Church.
He is with us in his Body the Church.
In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
He is with us as he indwells his people
He is with us as he indwells his people
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
But...The Greatest Joy is Still to Come
But...The Greatest Joy is Still to Come
Our Joy is Partial
Because in his presence is full joy Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
But we only see him in part 1 Cor. 13:9-12
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.