Advent Week 3 - Joy
Advent 2024 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 10 viewsWeek 3 of the Advent Series for 2024
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
We are at week 3 of Advent
Week 1 was Hope
Week 2 was Peace
Week 3 is Joy
How many of you have felt over looked.
Have you ever felt unseen?
Or like you were considered less than?
Maybe Marginalized?
If that describes you then I have good news that will bring great Joy.
We just had our verses read for us
Luke 2:8–15 (NIV)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
1. Shepherds: Bearers of Joy
1. Shepherds: Bearers of Joy
Luke 2:8-10
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
Shepherds
The life of a shepherd was a difficult one.
Always living in the elements
Always moving from place to place to find good grazing for the sheep
Generally a Marginalized group
The sheep owner was probably rich
But the shepherd out in the field was probably lower middle class at best, and most likely poor.
Away from the news of what was going on Due to their nomadic lifestyle.
Angels
Luke 2:9 (NIV)
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
The angels were messengers
Angels were almost always messengers
Note the Glory of the Lord is surrounding them
There is one Angel
I know the stories always show multiple
They show up in verse 13.
See where it says
Luke 2:9 (NIV)
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Imagine that you are sitting around the camp fire just chillin and have a good time
Maybe telling stories
Maybe singing campfire songs
But it is dark except for the light of the fire
When all of the sudden there is a person standing in your camp.
And then the Glory of the Lord Shines all around you.
It is no wonder Luke says they were terrified.
The Angel Speaks
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
The first words out of the Angels mouth
Do Not Be Afraid.
To late for that buddy
But thanks.
I bring you good news, that will cause Great Joy for all people.
If we go ahead and pop verse 11 up
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
the Good news is the Messiah has been born
and He is the Lord.
The news is going to bring joy because He is the Messiah
The one who will take away the sin of the World.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
You Joy is not a result of our earthly circumstances.
True Joy is found only in Jesus.
It is found in the assurance that I have eternal life in Heaven because of what He did for me on the Cross.
And what He did for me on the cross started in Bethlehem when the Messiah was born.
2. Joy Because of Jesus Sacrifice
2. Joy Because of Jesus Sacrifice
You see we are all sinful
Paul said
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Sin is missing the mark.
The mark set by God
Not the mark set by your parents
School
Government
But the mark set by God.
Just to illustrate Raise your hand if you have ever told a lie?
I mean a big one, or even a little one.
The Law says
Leviticus 19:11 (NIV)
“ ‘Do not steal. “ ‘Do not lie. “ ‘Do not deceive one another.
So if you have told a lie you have missed the mark set by God
You have broken the Law
And because of that you deserve death.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Oh we don’t get killed the moment we sin.
If that was the case there would be no human life on the planet.
No the death we have earned as a result of our sin is eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire
You see that is why Jesus Came
That is why the message from the angel to the shepherds would bring Good news that would cause great Joy.
Because God loved you enough to Send Jesus to die in your place
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
And if you are willing to accept Him as your Lord and Savior He is willing and able to forgive you of your sins and purify you of all unrighteousness.
But you have to call on Him, you have to accept Him.
for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Calling on the name of the Lord is more than just Jesus I want you.
Paul said a couple verses earlier
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
It is saying that Jesus is Lord
Lord of your life
Lord of the universe
Lord of Heaven and Earth
He is the
Lord of lords
King of kings
He is the almighty God, and there is no other name under heaven by which we may be saved except for that name of Jesus.
3. Wrap Up
3. Wrap Up
So what about you?
Do you have Joy this Christmas Season?
Have you declared Jesus is Lord
Have you believed in your heart that God raised Him from the Dead?
If not what is stopping you?
If so make sure you are spreading the Joy of the Good news this season.
