Know Christ Konw Joy

Meditation

The shepherds hear the angel’s proclamation, and indeed are filled with both awe and joy. They are mere shepherds, considered by some as the lowest of the low. But the angel comes to them. No one else, but to them and gives them the news of a momentous event, the birth of the Messiah. Filled with joy they careen down the hills into the town, find the stable and manger, and kneel before the Christ Child. Joy is an emotion of exaltation that comes from a new realization, an event of blessing, a state of blessedness. And surely the shepherds feel that. But as the years progress and they tell the story to their children’s children, the sense of wonder and joy remains. An angel has spoken to them! The angel spoke of a physical birth. But there is also a spiritual dimension – the joy that breaks upon us when we finally grasp that Jesus loves us in spite of ourselves, forgives all our sins and past failings, and takes up residence in our lives. Then the initial joy melds into an enduring joy of companionship with the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for the joy the angels experienced, the joy of Jesus’ birth, and the joy of the new birth that we can experience day by day until we see you in glory. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Intro: When I was in Collage. I asked one of my teachers to be a mentor. because I saw the Joy he had not just in sermons but in life. and I wanted Joy in My life.

An analysis released Tuesday from scientists behind a research initiative called the BIG JOY Project finds that people who commit daily "micro-acts" of joy (Kindness) experience about a 25% increase in emotional well-being over the course of a week. when we seek to bring happiness to others. it helps our emotional status.

Question: what do we need to do to have Joy?

Prop: our Joy Is grounded in Christ!

Trans: we will see this through 2 Rejoicing Rs

Rejoicing through Embracing

1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Romans 8:15–17 ESV

15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Peter is writing this to people that were in exile.

Born again: into a new life

Living hope: compared to the hopeless death that we once earned

Inheritance: Joint heirs with Christ

Salvation: Accepting What Christ has done for us

Ill: do you have some thin that will always

Trans: having our Joy Is grounded in Christ! we see we need to Rejoicing through Embracing by embracing Jesus

Rejoicing with Exertion

1 Peter 1:6–9 ESV

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

even though you may go through, persecution, poverty, slander, attracts, you name it.

v 8Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

John 15:9–11 ESV

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 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. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Its only by yielding to God that we get full and complete Joy

JOY. The experience of deliverance and the anticipation of salvation provide the most significant occasions for rejoicing among the people of God in the OT. The coming of the Messiah, who delivers his people and brings salvation becomes the basis for rejoicing in the NT. The response of joy, gladness, or happiness is not only a deep inward feeling, but is expressed in celebration when God’s people gather together.

Conclusion: