Joy is a SILENT strength.

December 14, 2025 // “Joy” // Scripture: Matthew 1:18-19

Main Idea: Joy is a SILENT strength.

Introduction:

Have you ever had a moment when you were tempted to hit “post” before you prayed? A moment when someone hurt you, embarrassed you, or disappointed you—and the easiest thing would’ve been to defend yourself, tell your side, and make sure everyone knew you were right?

We live in a world that celebrates loud strength—strength that claps back, shouts down, and proves a point. But the Christmas story begins with a man who didn’t speak loudly… yet showed unbelievable strength. His name was Joseph. And his quiet choice changed everything.

Transition:

Christmas is a season filled with noise—music, gatherings, shopping, schedules, and constant busyness. But if you listen closely, the Advent story begins not with noise—but with quiet strength. Strength that doesn’t shout. Strength that doesn’t rush. Strength that doesn’t retaliate. Strength that trusts God even when life doesn’t make sense.

Let’s talk a look at…(CUE SLIDE)

The quiet strength of Joseph.

Matthew tells us in…(CUE SLIDE)

Matthew 1:18 ESV

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

Joseph’s entire world collapses in one sentence.

His future. His reputation. His trust. His plans.

He has every reason to feel betrayed, humiliated, even angry.

And that’s when Joseph shows us something powerful.

(CUE SLIDE)

Matthew 1:19 ESV

19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

Lean into the words unwilling and resolved.

Here’s what Joseph could have done:

He could have publicly shamed Mary.

He could have cleared his name.

He could have chosen vindication over compassion.

But Joseph chooses a different way—a quiet strength. A strength rooted in humility, not ego. A strength that protects Mary’s dignity, even though, at this point, he believes she has hurt him.

Think about that.

Joseph resolved to be seen as the one who wronged, cheated on, disrespected, and dishonored than drag Mary’s name through the mud. That’s righteousness. That’s compassion.

That’s Christlike character before Christ is even born.

C. Applying Joseph’s Quiet Strength to Our Lives

Joseph teaches us that:

Righteousness begins in the heart before it becomes action.

When we face unexpected disappointment, we pause before we react.

When social media tempts us to facebook bash / instagram insult, vent, or prove we're right—we choose restraint.

When someone hurts us, we choose dignity over vengeance.

Quiet strength isn’t weakness—it’s Spirit-formed character.

Transition: Joseph’s quiet strength foreshadows…(CUE SLIDE)

The quiet strength of Jesus.

A. Jesus Before Pilate — Strength in Silence

Jesus stood before Pilate accused, slandered, lied about. Yet Scripture says He answered nothing.

Not because He lacked a defense—but because His strength didn’t depend on others believing Him. Real strength rests in identity, not vindication.

Do you know who you are? Are you a Christian? Do you believe Jesus died for your sins with God’s help are you living in response to that? If the answer is YES to all three then you are a sincere Christian.

Is the answer NO to any of these questions? Are you not sure you are Christian? Do you not believe Jesus died for your sins? Do you not believe He rose from the grave? Are you not desiring to live in response to God’s actions for you? If the answer is NO, you may want to cry out to God today and say SAVE ME! And HE WILL!

Application: You know who you are! When you know you are a child of God, you know your identity, there is the ability to stand firm in your identity in Christ when you know it! If you are unsure, it is hard to have the quiet strength we see in Joseph and Jesus.

B. Jesus in Gethsemane — Strength in Surrender

Jesus wrestles with the cup of suffering. His sweat becomes like drops of blood. He prays, “Father, not My will but Yours.”

This is quiet strength: Obedience in anguish. Trust in turmoil. Submission in suffering.

Application: The fact of the matter is that we are going to face things. Hard things. And Hard temptations. As we face them, we are going to need to seek the Lord’s will and NOT the preferences or advice of people.

Dave Ramsey has this great quote…”The moment you stop caring what other people think is the moment you start making progress.” His specifically talking about finance and building wealth.

But I’d like to add this…when you stop caring about the opinions of people and only on the will of the Lord is when you will start making real progress.

Friends might say, this is really hard take the easy way out. The Lord might say, obey and I will get you through this hard time. Friends might say, hears a copy of the answers for the test. God might say study hard all night and be okay with a C.

C. Jesus Withdraws to Pray — Strength in Solitude

After feeding 5,000, He slips away.

Not to escape people—but to stay aligned with the Father.

Quiet strength isn’t always doing more; sometimes it’s stepping away to reconnect with God.

Application: I am telling your right now…the business of life is now just as much as an addiction as drugs for many people. I have this event. I have this party. I have this meeting. I have this job. I have this task. And we are addicted to busy. And the busyness makes us feel successful for a short while, but then we crash hard right after it. Like a toddler who has eaten a bunch of candy…the crash is real. Feels good in the moment.

We have GOT to get away and be alone with the LORD!

D. Jesus with the Woman Caught in Adultery — Strength in Calmness

Chaos swirls. Stones are in hands. Voices are shouting.

Jesus kneels and writes in the dust.

Strength through calm. Wisdom through stillness. Grace over reaction.

Jesus shows us that quiet strength is often the difference between reacting in emotion and responding in the Spirit.

The quiet strength of Joseph and Jesus would not be possible without…

The quiet strength of Joy.

A. Joy as Strength (Nehemiah 8:10)

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Joy is not the denial of reality… It is the confidence that God is still writing the story.

B. Joy in Trials (James 1:2–4)

James says: “Count it all joy when you face trials…”

Why? Because trials deepen roots like storms strengthen trees. Joy grows through resistance.

C. Joy in Pain (2 Corinthians 6:10)

Paul says he is:

“Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.”

Joy and suffering can live in the same heart. Joy is not the absence of hardship—it’s the presence of Christ.

D. Practicing Joy in Everyday Life

Families: If you've been feeling overwhelmed by household responsibilities, take a moment each morning to recognize the small joys in your family life. Start a gratitude journal where, daily, you write three things that brought you joy the previous day, no matter how simple. This practice can help shift your focus from stress to thankfulness, cultivating a quiet strength that breeds patience and resilience. Share your findings with your family during dinner once a week to encourage a collective mindset of gratitude, fostering both joy and cooperation within the household.

Teens: As a teen navigating the pressures of social media and peer expectations, finding quiet strength in joy can be tough. When you feel the urge to compare yourself to others, practice the ‘three good things’ exercise. At the end of each day, list three highlights from your day or three personal qualities you appreciate about yourself. This practice strengthens your self-esteem and helps you recognize that joy can be found regardless of external circumstances, allowing you to respond to peer pressure with strength.

Fellow Servants/Ministers: While serving others, it can sometimes feel like a tireless obligation, remind yourself to focus on the joy of service. Before you attend your next community event, take some time to reflect on why you chose to give back. Share a heartfelt, uplifting story or testimonial during the group’s briefing or before starting the service. Connecting your work with the transformational impact it can have on individuals builds a sense of joy and purpose, providing a quiet strength as you engage with the community positively.

Conclusion:

Advent means the arrival of an anticipated person, place, thing, or event.

And Jesus arrived into our world through quiet strength:

Joseph’s quiet obedience

Jesus’ quiet trust

Joy’s quiet power

In a world obsessed with being heard, seen, and validated—Advent invites us to a different way.

A way of humility. A way of compassion. A way of surrender. A way of joy.

Quiet strength is choosing God’s way when everything in you wants to react your way.

May we walk in Joseph’s dignity… Jesus’ peace… And the Spirit’s joy… As we await the arrival of our King.

Amen.