Joy - Always

The theme of our day today… has been joy - having joy that only comes through knowing Jesus… and I am VERY glad that we have that joy tonight!

But do we understand that this joy… is not a seasonal joy or a circumstantial joy like we talked about this morning? It is an everlasting joy. It is a joy that cannot be found in anything of this world.

In His letter to the Thessalonians Paul says, “Rejoice always.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) And, in case you hadn’t already guessed, the word rejoice means; feel or show great joy or delight. Even in adversity, trial, and tribulation we are encouraged to rejoice!

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” is the encouragement of James 1:2. In fact, the apostles rejoiced in Acts 5:41,“because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

When we know Jesus… we can even know joy in the times of hardship. You may be wondering how… HOW can these people rejoice in suffering? How can they look into the face of adversity and consider it pure joy?

The answer of course is Jesus.

And believe me when I say Jesus understands suffering. And He understands the times and seasons in your life when it’s difficult to rejoice.

During the darkest part of his life King David wrote psalm 51. Listen to what he says, and let his plea resonate with you today;

Psalm 51:10–12 NIV

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

It’s okay to need God’s help. In fact, if someone like King David needed it then I can guarantee we will too. Joy is available to all of us. There can and will be long seasons where the journey is difficult and there will also be long stretches of indescribable joy and excitement.

My encouragement tonight is to rejoice always, and to count everything as joy. Even the seasons when it’s difficult, even when adversity finds its way to your doorstep. There is no amount of difficulty or trouble that can steal Christ from you. You are His and He is yours.

The Best Christmas Ever is Cause for Great Joy

If material possessions could give deep and abiding joy then why aren’t all the millionaires and billionaires the most happy and positive bunch on planet earth?

If joy could be purchased from Walmart or Amazon and delivered to your front door then why doesn’t everyone have it?

If indescribable joy could be found in likes, follows, and digital friends then why aren’t all the social influencers teaching the rest of us courses on how to get it?

I’m pretty sure we all know the answer… and yet, many of us keep looking in the same old places for joy.

And that my friends is why the Christmas season is such a special one.

Of course the presents and the potlucks are great, but deep down we know the most wonderful and amazing part of Christmas is the opportunity to refocus our energy on what matters most. During Christmas we remember who Christ is and why He came for us.

We have eternal hope in the promises of God made alive in Christ.

We have unshakable peace in Christ who will return for His church.

We have the gift of deep, abiding, and resilient joy through our love for and understanding of Christ.

He is the same yesterday, today and forever… Our great high priest… The prince of peace - wonderful counselor. He is the Friend of sinners. Immanuel. God with us.

So I pray this evening as we continue to lift our voices and praise the King… that His joy would fill our hearts. If you are deep in the struggle… REJOICE… for Jesus is with us. If all is good REJOICE… for Jesus is with us! Amne?