"Good News of Great Joy"
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(All I Want for Christmas)
Luke 2:10-11; Jn 15:11
Introduction:
- Joy and rejoicing are integral aspects of the celebration and proclamation of the birth of Christ and the Gospel. Regrettably, the joy that many accept as their norm, seems much less than Christ promised, and the Scriptures explain.
- Might the answer be that:
- Some are lacking in joy because the earth has not received her King.
- Every heart has not prepared Him room, welcomed His reign/His ruling the world with truth and grace, rejoiced in the glories of His righteousness and the wonders of His love?
The promised joy that is inherent in the Gospel of Jesus Christ loses its meaning when extricated from the context and completeness with which it was promised. “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all of the people. For unto you this day is born in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord. …” (Luke 2: 10-11)
When welcomed by faith, the message of the Gospel is not only cause for rejoicing, it was a wondereful ongoing source of inner joy that was not eclipsed by otherwise crushing circumstances. That is still the case.
The joy that we have in Christ helps us see past the people and circumstances that hurt us. Rather than pretend we don’t hurt, we acknowledge that they/we hurt and look beyond the hurt to God’s promises and what He has called us to do.
The Scriptures are clear. The Gospel is good news of great joy. Jesus promised His disciples His/my joy – Jn 15:11. For that reason to understand the joy of Christmas we need to consider what the Scriptures teach re:
1. Christ’s joy
a. What was Christ’s joy?
Before we consider the immediate contexti in John 15, that begins to explain Christ’s joy, recorded events in the last week plus of our Lord’s earthly ministry might have been expected to overwhelm Christ’s joy. Some had happened behind the scenes. They were all known to Jesus.
The religious leaders wanted to arrest and kill Jesus- Jn 11:57.
Rather than rejoicing with Mary and Martha after Christ restored Lazarus’ life, the chief priests and the Pharisees have orders that if any one knew where Jesus was, they should let the religious leader could arrest Jesus, with the purpose of Jesus being killed.
One of His disciples, Judas, would betray was also a thief - Jn 12:4-8.
While Martha served, Mary annointed Jesus’ feet with expensive ointment.
Judas question not because he cared for the poor but because he was in charge of the money bag and helped himself to funds. He was a thief.
“Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
When Judas stealing became known, but the disciples must have suspected and said nothing.
The disciples said nothing to offset Judas reproof of Mary.
The chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death - Jn 12:10.
Some , most refused to believe .
Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him,
Before the feast of the passover, Jesus knew His hour was come.
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
Jesus knew one of them was not clean and would betray Him.
When Jesus washed the disciples, He knew that not everyone was clean - Judas.
Jesus knew and twice told the disciples one of them would betray Him - Jn 13:18, 21, the disciples did not recognize the betrayer even when Jesus stated, it is the one to whom I give the bread - Jn 13:26.
Jesus repeatedly warned the one of them would betray him, With the sense that he was know for who he was and what he would do, Judas of his own will took the morsel of bread and Satan entered him.
Jesus knew that even at such an intimate time with His disciples, Satan was on the attack and had gained a human instrument for evil.
Peter would deny Jesus - 3 times - Jn 13:36-38.
Although Peter affirmed that he would lay down his life for Jesus, he did not - Jn 18:25-27.
After three years, the disciples still did not understand/know where Jesus was going and how to get there - Thomas .
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jesus repeatedly promised that He would leave them but come again. They did not understand.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
The disciples did not see the Father when they saw Jesus. Philip asked, show us the Father, it is enough for us. - Jn 14:8.
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
Jesus knew that what He was trying to explain to His disciples was filling their hearts with sorrow. He also knew their sorrow would be turned to joy.
But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
What was Jesus joy?
Joy - Chara- joy, gladness, SOURCE OF JOY
Obeying His Father’s commandments – loving deferment to the Father and a relationship with Him. In so doing, there is an intimacy and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit become evident.
While some obedience seems more mechanical. What God’s said is done but not necessarily with love.
CC TEA WITH MILK VERSUS TEA POURED WHEN THE MILK IS ALREADY IN THE CUP.
Christ has explained what is in the cup not added to it.
Being part of the vine:
Abiding in Christ.
Clean because of the word - Christ’s words abide and evident.
Regular evidence of pruning.
Bear much fruit as evidence that Christ’s disciples.
Keep Christ’s commandments abide in His love
JUST AS I HAVE KEPT MY FATHER’S COMMANDMENTS AND ABIDE IN HIM.
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
Abiding in His Father’s love is a byproduct of keeping Christ’s commandments as Christ kept His Father’s commandments.
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
Being the Son of His Father – Lk 10:21; Jn 5:20-21. Jesus rejoiced in their intimate relationship.
For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.
In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
Rejoicing in the Holy Spirit and His Father’s will – Lk 10:21-22; Jn 5:30; Jn 8:28; 12:49.
In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!
IF THE WITNESS THAT WE BEAR IS ONLY ABOUT OURSELVES, IT IS NOT TRUE.
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.
I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” As he was saying these things, many believed in him.
For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
b. What did Christ’s joy enable Him to do?
- Endure the cross, despising the shame – Heb 12:2.
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Persevere in His Father’s will for Him – Acts 2:25; Ps 16:8-9, 11.
this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
- Keep His Father’s commandments – Jn 15:10.
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
- Abide in His Father’s love – John 15:10.
- LOVE AND HEARTFELT OBEDIENCE ARE INSEPARABLE.
c. What did Christ’s joy set before Him – Heb 12:2
- Being seated at the right hand of the throne of God – Heb 12:2; 1:3, 13; Rom 8:34.
- 1 Pet 3:22
who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
2. Our joy
a. What is our joy?
- Christ’s joy – Jn 15:11.
It should be Christ’s joy. Life is not about us.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
- Full joy – Jn 16:24; 17:13.
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
b. What should our joy enable us to do?
- Cherish and savour Christ, the very word of God – Jn 17:13; Heb 1:2; Rev 19:13.
But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.
- Imitate Jesus when afflicted – 1 Thess 1:6; Rom 14:17.
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes relatiolnships cause pain.
Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
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- Persevere with joy – James 1:2-4.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
- Obey the Lord/keep His commandments/testimonies – Jn 15:10; Ps 119:2.
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
c. What our joy should set before us?
- Our reward in heaven – Matt 5:12; Lk 6:23; 10:20.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
- Seeing our Saviour and eternity devoid of sin – 1 Jn 3:2.
i Jn 3:2
This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
- Entering the joy of our master – Matt 25:21, 23.
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
- Everlasting joy – Is 35:10.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
ONE SONG WRITER, MUSICIAN, WHOSE NAME(S) i WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM PUT THESE BEATIFUL, EXPRESSIVE VERSES TO SONG.
“Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return,
And come with singing unto Zion;
And everlasting joy shall be upon their head.
Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return,
And come with singing unto Zion;
And everlasting joy shall be upon their head.
They shall obtain gladness and joy;
And sorrow and mourning shall flee away”
This Christmas, every Christmas, every day until our Lord returns or calls us home, is our joy His joy?
- We have been reminded that the joy that Christ promised us is His joy in us. When we understand that with the result that we abide Him, He abides in us, His word permeates our whole being, our joy is no longer circumstances or how we feel, but what God is doing in us and has promised us.
- When that is true, Isaac Watts beautiful hymn shifts from a sing of advent to a 365/12/7/24 walk with our Lord.
- “Joy to the world! The Lord is come; let earth receive her King.
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing …
Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns; let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plain repeat the sounding joy …
No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found, …
He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove.
The glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love.”
AWV/Dec 17/23