A Promised Joy

Introduction

Christmas morning joy.

Expectation - hard time sleeping on Christmas Eve.

Tradition for Eve’s Eve. So tired so I can sleep.

Excitement for the next morning!

Just a time of Joy!

And a different joy as a parent.

Christ Brought Joy

vv. 11-12

“Grace has appeared.”

Longing and looking is done.

What did it do? It brought salvation!

Salvation is the greatest gift.

Salvation bring a practical joy.

Not just theoretical or hypothetical joy.

So many things in life that destroy joy.

Yet, salvation offers for us the power to overcome those things.

We’ve all experienced this and have watched others.

The great promise of sin - but what it really brings is despair.

And Jesus came to overcome despair!

Christ Bought Joy

vv. 13-14

Paul recognizes the current situation, between the two advents.

He came in the past and we look to His second arrival. (v. 13).

“Blessed hope” when all suffering is gone.

I think this is the appearing of the “glory of our great God…”

This light so bright it cleanses away all evil.

But this joy has a cost.

Certainly not all gifts have a price tag.

But most do…

Even things we make, those resources cost something.

And as we consider the greatest gift of salvation, it certainly cost something (v. 14).

But as any gift, it is not a cost the receiver pays, but the giver of the gift.

This gift of salvation, this gift of joy cost Jesus His life.

The gift that is paid for completely.

Spoof commercial.

This gift, however, is purchased and gifted.

Conclusion

Christmas is not always a joyful time.

It comes back to what we meditate on.

Advent season is meant to cause us to

Look back and look forward.

We are in the midst of the Kingdom of Christ.

Regardless of temporary afflictions, there awaits eternal glory.

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 ESV

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.