The Wonder of His Joy!

Introduction

How has your life unfolded? How is it unfolding right now? Are you in or facing retirement reflecting on a life you tried to live well? Are you facing hurts and problems you don't know if you can handle? Whatever you're facing I wonder if the last line in the video might apply to you?

“The journey was always leading you to Jesus.”

I want to propose today that the greatest joy of Christmas may be the wonder of knowing that the road of your life intersects a savior who was born for you. A savior who cares for and about you. He's worthy of being pursued and everything we have to offer him.

That's really what the wise men were chasing after when they travelled miles and spent a wealth of resources following a star in the night to find a saviour born in a stall. I wonder what emotions they were overwhelmed with when they finally found the baby. Let's read their account, their story in Matthew's gospel.

Matthew 2:1–12 ESV

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Think about what it would have been like for those wise men traveling home excited about what and who they had seen. Excited about the experience they had went through. They probably shared their experience with anyone who would listen. They had set out on a long journey with a great purpose and accomplished it.

The wise men had stories to tell

you know, in a far greater sense Jesus came to earth with a purpose he did so with you on his mind. Part of what you were created for was to experience a relationship with God and that's part of the reason that Jesus came to earth. We celebrate Jesus this year or rather this time of year.

Like the wise men setting out on their journey to find Jesus, Jesus came to earth with a purpose—You!

Perhaps what God calls you to do today is to pause for a moment and think about the reality that God wants to connect with you and to know you. He wants you to know him deeply. Are you willing and able to walk and talk with God?

Perhaps some of you have experienced times in your life when you've taken a detour. Perhaps you have friends and family who have taken detours away from their faith in God.

I love how God uses moments in our life like he used a star to guide the wise man.

God uses moments in our life (And people) to guide us to Him.

But don't be intimidated by Paul's credentials …there is a very real sense where each and everyone of us are meant to be like stars pointing people towards Jesus.

—Paul pointed people to Jesus.

—We can point people to Jesus.

Let’s take a look at one time Paul pointed people to Jesus

Acts 13:14–15 ESV

14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”

Customary at that time for leader of synagogue to ask visitors to speak.

How would you like that here? :)

Paul takes this opportunity to show them how God has been leading them to Jesus.

Acts 13:16–25 ESV

16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

Paul shows how God lead the people of Israel to him.

"Paul is setting up a system of signposts, from David a thousand years to John a mere 15 or 20 years earlier.” -NT Wright.

Israel’s history pointed to Jesus.

In the same way the star pointed the wise men to Jesus.

In the same way our lives ups and downs can point people to Jesus.

God is working through History to point people to Jesus.

Notice this verse.

Acts 13:17 ESV

17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.

God chose their ancestors to be a spotlight pointing to Jesus.

God chose the kings of the OT to be pointing to Jesus.

God choose the judges in the bible to be pointing to Jesus.

God wants us to be pointing to Jesus.

In the story of Jewish history

The people wanted a king

God chose Saul to point the people forward to His Messiah.

Saul chose selfish glory over God honoring obedience so God removed and replaced him with David.

Acts 13:22 ESV

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’

David was by no means perfect But he was available to be used by God and he relentlessly turned back to God.

You can be part of God’s history by in a sense being like David. Be relentless in turning back to God and be willing to be used by God.

See what Paul said about david

Acts 13:23 ESV

23 Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.

David was faithful and so God used David to point people to Jesus.

The ultimate gift of God that Paul is pointing to is found later in this passage.

Acts 13:38–39 ESV

38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

Paul used a historical way of painting signposts pointing to Jesus

Because He understood his audience.

He showed them how history pointed to a reality in their day. And in ours.

The Jewish people wanted to know.

Is it true?

they had a huge knowledge of history and wanted paul to prove wheter it was true Jesus was the messiah.

Perhaps though, the question more people ask today is, does it work? Does Jeuss work in your life?

Does following JEsus make a difference for you?

Does following Jesus make youre life work more joyfully and more fulfilled.

Does it work?

That’s why people read reviews before they buy something.

My cell phone repair company lives and dies based on reviews. People want to hear from other normal people whether I actually do a good job.

People want to see in our lives whether our faith really works. People want to see in our lives whether Jesus gives us joy.

Story of ER visit.