Looking Forward to Joy
Notes
Transcript
Praise and Prayer
Praise and Prayer
Who do you know that always seems to be full of joy? They are always looking on the bright side of things?
Luke 2:4
Billy Bray was a coal miner in West Virginia in the 1800’s. He was a drunk, living a wild life when at 29 years old He gave his life to Christ, and everything changed. He became so full of Joy people started calling him, “God’s glad man.” His life personified joy, but he showed it in some very unusual ways.
Whether he was in the coal mines of West Virginia or in the pulpit preaching the gospel, he would spontaneously begin to shout, dance and jump for joy. That sounds very weird to us as conservative Christians, but Billy was saved in a radical way and he celebrated it in a radical way. Until the moment he died he claimed Jesus as his source of joy.
That is what Christmas is all about. It’s about radical joy, and when we think about the gift of salvation that God gives us, is it really weird to celebrate it the way Billy Bray did?
The Point; Jesus has come, giving us a cause for joy.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Throughout history people have celebrated the birth of Christ in some of the most beautiful ways. We sing songs, we put up lights, we hang wreaths and Christmas trees, but when you look at this story you see Joseph and Mary running into nothing but problems.
It all began with the government. I remember it was Ronald Reagan that said, “the nine must terrifying words in the English language are; I am from the government and I am here to help.” Joy and the government do not go together.
But notice the problems Mary and Joseph faced. 1. there was a census taken. But unlike the census taken today the government didn’t go to Mary and Joseph, they made Mary and Joseph come to them.
2. Mary was pregnant, and that was a problem because she wasn’t married, and people in the culture could be stoned to death for being pregnant and not married.
3. Mary was ready to deliver and yet she had to travel to Bethlehem to take part in this government census.
4. When they arrive in Bethlehem there was no where for them to stay. No room at the Inn.
But the good news is God had all of these things worked out and Jesus was born. And of course this wasn’t just a happy moment for Joseph and Mary but it was the most important moment for the world. And we celebrate it with great joy because even though there are a lot of problems in the story, His birth was the solution to the greatest problem facing mankind; our separation from God!!
All of the problems that surrounded the birth of Christ were an example of what He would endure from the world. He knew what it meant to be rejected, but He also knows what it means to be cherished. The story of the journey of Christ from Bethlehem to the cross is a story of God’s love.
We have all heard people who say, “I don’t need to be forgiven.” I don’t do anything wrong, I’m a good person.” “There is no sin in my life.” I don’t need to be saved.” These are people who are going to find it very difficult to get to heaven, because they think they can get there on their own. They are convinced they don’t need what Christ has done.
That is why Martin Luther once said, “The gospel tasted best to those who know they lie in the straits of death.” It is not until we come to realize how much we need the grace and mercy of God, that we can really live in the joy of our salvation.
When did this passage become more than just a story to you? (when my daughter was born)
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
We are all so familiar with this story we forget the surprises along the way. You would think God would let the important people in Israel know about the birth of His Son. You would think it would be announced to Kings and priests and all the religious people in Jerusalem but that is not what happened.
Instead God sent His angel to shepherds out in the fields. He sent them to the unimportant people the rejected people of society. And completely ignored the religionist. Maybe the point is God doesn’t consider what we think of as important, as important. Maybe the point is God gives greater glory to those who feel rejected the way He was rejected.
Or maybe, because of the chaos and confusion going on in the world, the shepherds were the only ones available to receive the good News of God’s great Son. I can’t help but think of how many times we miss out on serving the Lord because we are to busy and unavailable.
I can’t help but think especially at Christmas are we so caught up in all the things we need to do that we don’t have time for Christ!!
Let me ask you this, what was the first thing the angels said to the shepherds? Have you ever noticed that every time an angel appears to someone in the scripture the conversation begins with “Fear not?” It must be heavens protocol, because I have no doubt I would be afraid if an angel appeared to me.
I think the message though for us is; God is not trying to scare us in to faith. God doesn’t force us to believe. He draws near to us and tears down the walls of separation because He loves us and wants to be there for us. He is Emanuel, God with us, and He will never leave us or forsake us.
Most people think of God in heaven as a bully who wants to steel our joy and make sure you follow all the rules. But the Christmas story teaches us that God wants to bring us great Joy.
Notice the joy was good news for everybody, no one was excluded. It reminds me of when I was growing up. I had five brothers and sisters and every Christmas there was always one gift that was for the whole family. Maybe it was a puppy, or basketball rim, or a swimming pool we would put up in the summer. Whatever it was, it was for everybody and so was Jesus. He came to bring good news of great Joy for everyone.
A natural result of Joy is thankfulness. What are you thankful for this Christmas? (I am thankful for you)
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
After the angel appeared and brought the good news of the birth of Christ to the shepherds Luke describes the floodgates of heaven opening up and a host of angels pouring out into the sky.
The word “host” that Luke uses is the same word that would be used to describe a large military presence. In other words God sent the best and the brightest of the army of heaven to bring this good news. It wasn’t just a handful of angels but it was a regiment!! One angel could have done the job but God pulled out all the stops, and lit up the night sky!!
It was all for the glory of God and the peace of the world!!Peace and joy are linked in this announcement of the birth of Christ!! If we want joy we need God’s peace. If we want peace we need to dig down deep and seek God’s joy.
1 John 3:1 “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God;
John encourages us to look at how much God loves us that would be called His children!! And when Christ was born God wasn’t just spooning out teaspoons of His glory, He was pouring out like a tidal wave!!
And what the shepherds recieved was just the beginning of the story. What Christ would do was even more incredible. The blind would see, the lame would walk, the deaf would hear, and the dead would be raised!! But even greater than all of that, salvation would be offered to the world. Reconciliation with God and the forgiveness of our sin. Grace upon grace!!
What are some ways we can bring this kind of joy into our Christmas celebration?
The Messiah was born into the world and the shepherds couldn’t just stand there trembling in fear, they responded with action. They went to see the child and spread the news. They became participants in the story.
And that should be our reaction. We should become participants in the story of Christ. We should share the good news that Savior has come.
This Christmas season we have an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of these very first witnesses. We get to celebrate this baby born in a manger and experience the power and the presence of God. It is up to us to take time and celebrate the great Joy of the birth of Christ!!
What are some ways we can share Christ that reflect the good news of great joy?
We can reflect by spending a moment thinking of what God has done in our life and when we received salvation.
We can celebrate by writing someone a personal note our giving them a gift. Letting them know you appreciate them and the joy they bring to your life.
We can give. 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” So many research studies have shown that the most joyful people in the world are givers.
Maybe take some time and give to a mission or the Gideons birthday of Jesus campaign. (I recently had a man show up at the church asking to be baptized)
