Advent of Joy | God Brings Joy

INTRODUCTION: Gift illustration. Giving a gift to my kids. Joy. God gives us a gift. Then sad when we don’t get what we want. What makes Christmas is about the family, it matters more about being with the people you loved more than what they give you.

TENSION: the % of americans who said they were very happy dropped from 32% in 2018 to 12% in 2023. We let outside circumstances determine our joy, but that isn’t right. It matters who you are with.

When God is your everything, You will find everlasting joy.

Psalm 16:1–2 (ESV)

1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”

Preserve me - keep me and watch over me. Why? For I take refuge in you. I run to you.

ILLUSTRATION - Parent watching over their child. Their child is actively trying to hurt themselves. Wife vs Husband. Husband forgets that he has kids.

Lord you are my Lord - Yahweh you are my addoni. - My master. You are in control. I am not. I do what you say.

I have no good apart from you - Memorize this. Repeat this to yourself every day. Not treasure, not sex, not prestigious. The only thing good is God. We are fine to say God is good, but we also have other stuff being good.

HAHA - Micah illustration. Hey they scribbled on it.

Every Gift From Him Brings Joy:

His People give us Joy

Psalm 16:3–4 (ESV)

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.

Saints in the land - the people of God.

all my delight - the people of God brings him joy. This is different from God this is a gift from God. You want to live a joyful life? Then be surrounded by his people. Get involved in a group, put yourself out there.

Matthew - means gift from God. You’re welcome.

Church hurt - 9% of self identified Christians actually have a Christian worldview that believe that they are sinners that needing saving…etc.

Even still hurt can happen, but when it does you have the awesome responsibility to love like Jesus and forgive them as Christ has forgiven you.

sorrows - Are you running after another god? Some of run after money, pleasure, etc…Guess what that will bring? Sorrow. It will feel good for a second, but not for long.

Show empty gift.

drink offerings of blood take their names on my lips - Those are speaking about worshipping those false gods.

Our inheritance of Himself.

Psalm 16:5–8 (ESV)

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. 6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

chosen portion and my cup - ILLUSTRATION - Picking out something at dinner table/kids having to cut a cookie in half.

you hold my lot - God is control. Dice/lots etc…God is in control.

the lines have fallen for me in pleasant places - These seems like he is getting a physical land, but that word for pleasant is the same word for pleasures in verse 11. I think it should be more the lines have fallen for me in pleasures. Meaning God’s path, god’s way of life is ultimately going to bring us pleasure.

ILLUSTRATION - child discipline is for their joy, (running in the street?)

I have a beautiful inheritance - ILL- Subsequential child story. Notice, what is he getting, His portion is the LORD! The inheriticance is more of God. If that dissapoints you, you might not love him like you claim. A child rather have a day with his father than a gift devoid of his father.

His Counsel

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

I bless - Because of the wonderful gift that he has given us, what is our response? Bless the Lord

gives counsel - like a good parent who gives counsel. Helps the child.

in the night - The dreams and thoughts he has led him to rightousness.

before me/right hand - God is everywhere these are metaphors. Saying that God is at the forfront of his mind. He is at the right hand meaning hte place of honor.

I will not be shaken - the result of having the Lord giving yu counsel and the Lord with you.

Our Everlasting life

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

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.

Therefore - Becaue the Lord is with me and I will not be shaken.

My heart is glad - I am joyful.

MY whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure for you will not abandon my soul to sheol or let your holy one see corruption. - we can rejoice because both in life and death God is with us. He will not abaondon. Sheol means grave, frequenely speaks to eternal judgement of hell

path to life -

fullness of joy - The fullness of Jyo

pleasures forevermore! -

CONCLUSION:

Peter - Acts 2

Joy - chara

final conclusion: you know what you want to do on your day off: play with Dadddy. Spend time with your father.

put 100 dollars bil in box.