Joy the World Cannot Give (I)

A PASTORAL WORD BEFORE THE SERMON

Why We Open the Scriptures This Way

Church family, before we begin today, I want to take just a few minutes to explain how and why I approach the preaching of God’s Word the way I do.

I know many of you come from a strong Methodist tradition—a tradition rooted in rich liturgy, sacred rhythm, prayer, confession, Scripture reading, and the church calendar. That is a beautiful heritage, and it is one I deeply respect.

Liturgy teaches us something vital: Worship is not about us—it is about God.

It grounds us. It reminds us who we are. It places us within the great story of the Church across generations.

So let me say clearly—I am not here to replace that heritage or diminish it. I am deeply grateful for it.

But I am here, for this season, as a pastor whose calling is shaped by expository preaching, which I see not as a replacement for liturgy, but as a companion to it. And I want you to understand why.

WHAT IS EXPOSITORY PREACHING?

Expository preaching simply means this: We allow the Scripture itself to set the agenda.

Instead of asking, “What do I want to say today?” We ask, “What is God already saying in His Word?”

We open a passage. We look at it carefully. We ask what it meant then—and what it means now.

We slow down—not because we doubt Scripture—but because we revere it.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

Because the Bible is not just a devotional book. It is God’s self-revelation.

Paul tells Timothy:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16

Notice what Paul does not say. He does not say Scripture is merely comforting. He does not say it is only inspirational.

He says it teaches, corrects, and forms us.

And that requires exposure—bringing the text into the light.

LITURGY AND EXPOSITION ARE NOT ENEMIES

Let me be very clear about this.

Liturgy and expository preaching are not opposites. Historically, they belong together.

When Jesus entered the synagogue in Luke 4, He:

Read the Scripture

Sat down

Explained it

“He opened the book… and began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’” — Luke 4:17–21

That is expository preaching inside a liturgical setting.

The early church did the same:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…” — Acts 2:42

The Word was read—and then unfolded.

WHY GO DEEP?

Because surface reading produces surface faith.

The Scriptures were written:

In a different language

In a different culture

To people facing different pressures

If we do not dig, we will:

Miss the weight of God’s promises

Miss the depth of Christ’s work

Miss the beauty of redemption

Jesus rebuked the religious leaders not for reading Scripture—but for missing its meaning:

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.” — John 5:39

They read. They memorized. But they did not see Him.

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR YOU

Expository preaching is not about information. It is about formation.

It helps us:

Know what we believe

Why we believe it

How it shapes our lives

It guards us from:

Building faith on feelings

Making Scripture say what we want

Confusing tradition with truth

And most importantly—it keeps Christ at the center.

A PASTORAL REASSURANCE

Let me say this gently and clearly.

I am not asking you to stop loving liturgy. I am not asking you to abandon the church calendar. I am not asking you to become something you are not.

I am simply asking you, for this season, to walk slowly with me through the Word. To listen carefully. To think deeply. To let Scripture speak for itself.

Because when we open the Bible carefully, we do not lose reverence— We deepen it.

CLOSING THOUGHT BEFORE THE TEXT

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” — Psalm 119:130

So today—and in the weeks ahead—we will open the Scriptures together. Not to impress. Not to argue. Not to change tradition. But to see Jesus more clearly.

And wherever He is seen clearly, lives are changed.

TEXT

Luke 2:8–11 (ESV)

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”

BIG IDEA

True joy does not come from religion, comfort, or circumstances—it comes from the Savior, Jesus Christ, the Man of Joy.

MOVEMENT ONE

THE ILLUSION OF JOY IN ISRAEL

Before Jesus was born, many Jews believed they were joyful.

From the world’s standards—and even from religious standards—they were doing well.

They were not pagans. They were not ignorant of God. They were not without structure.

In fact, many were comfortable.

What Did Their “Joy” Look Like?

They were physical descendants of Abraham

They followed the Law of Moses

They kept the Sabbath

They observed religious festivals

They raised their families in Jewish tradition

They believed themselves to be God’s chosen people

Outwardly, they appeared spiritually alive.

But Jesus later exposes the reality:

“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” — Matthew 15:8

They had religion without relationship. They had appearance without life. They were alive in appearance but dead in expectation.

John Wesley himself warned that it is possible to have the form of faith without the power of a transformed heart.

Why Did This Feel Like Joy?

Because worldly joy does not require life—it only requires comfort and control.

Their joy was rooted in:

Religious identity (“We are Abraham’s children”)

Moral performance (“We keep the law”)

Cultural tradition (“This is how we’ve always done it”)

Paul later describes this condition:

“Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” — 2 Timothy 3:5

This kind of joy feels safe. It feels settled. It feels complete.

But it is vain, because it is disconnected from redemption.

A Crucial Expository Insight

The Law of Moses was never meant to replace the Messiah.

“The law was our guardian until Christ came.” — Galatians 3:24

The Law pointed forward. The sacrifices anticipated forgiveness. The Sabbath foreshadowed rest in Christ.

But many stopped at the shadow and missed the substance.

They believed they had joy—but their joy was lifeless, because salvation had not yet been embraced.

TRANSITION

And here is the tragedy: They were surrounded by prophecy… yet blind to fulfillment.

MOVEMENT TWO

MISSING THE MAN OF JOY

For centuries, Israel lived under promise.

They knew the Scriptures:

The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)

He would come from the line of David (2 Samuel 7)

He would be a suffering servant (Isaiah 53)

He would bring righteousness and peace (Isaiah 9)

They memorized these truths. They sang them in the Psalms. They taught them to their children.

And yet—when He came—most missed Him.

Why?

Because worldly joy dulls spiritual hunger.

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” — Mark 2:17

They did not think they were sick. They thought they were fine.

They wanted a political savior. They wanted comfort preserved. They wanted religion reinforced.

Instead, God sent a Savior.

A Sobering Reality

After the birth of Jesus:

Few believed

Fewer followed

Even fewer surrendered

This does not mean there were no faithful Jews—but it does mean that true joy was recognized only by those willing to let go of false security.

The ones who recognized Him were not the religious elite.

They were:

Shepherds

Sinners

The poor

The broken

Those who had nothing recognized everything. Those who had everything missed Him.

Illustration

“The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light.” — John 3:19

The tragedy of Israel was not ignorance—it was satisfaction without salvation.

TRANSITION

And before we distance ourselves from them, we must look honestly at ourselves.

MOVEMENT THREE

THE SAME ILLUSION TODAY

Many today are just like the early Jews.

They are surrounded by worldly joy and convinced it is enough.

They have:

Stable careers

Loving families

Financial security

Moral values

Church attendance

Religious language

They are not hostile to Jesus. They are simply indifferent to Him.

Because they believe, “This must be all there is.”

What Is Worldly Joy?

Worldly joy is:

Circumstantial

Temporary

Fragile

Dependent on control

“You rejoice in your boasts… yet your joy is fleeting.” — James 4:16 (paraphrase)

Worldly joy fades when:

Health declines

Relationships break

Money disappears

Death arrives

And it always does.

Jesus’ Warning

“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” — Mark 8:36

Worldly joy can fill a calendar. It can fill a house. It can fill a bank account.

But it cannot fill the soul.

TRANSITION

And this is why the angel’s announcement is so powerful.

MOVEMENT FOUR

THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF TRUE JOY

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy…” — Luke 2:10

Notice the order.

Before joy is announced, fear is addressed.

Fear ruled the world:

Fear of death

Fear of judgment

Fear of oppression

Fear of God’s silence

The angel declares that fear no longer has the final word.

Why?

Because salvation has arrived.

A Key Textual Insight

“Great joy” describes kind, not intensity.

This is not emotional joy. This is redemptive joy.

Joy tied to:

Forgiveness

Reconciliation

Eternal life

Joy that does not depend on circumstances.

MOVEMENT FIVE

THE SOURCE OF TRUE JOY

“For unto you is born this day… a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” — Luke 2:11

Joy does not come from changed conditions. It comes from a Savior.

The angel does not announce peace first. He does not announce prosperity.

He announces salvation.

Because joy cannot exist where sin reigns and death rules.

Worldly Joy vs. True Joy

Worldly joy:

Comes from what you have

Depends on what happens

Disappears when life hurts

True joy:

Comes from who Christ is

Is rooted in redemption

Grows even in suffering

Paul could write from prison:

“Rejoice in the Lord always.” — Philippians 4:4

Because joy was no longer circumstantial—it was Christ-centered.

Jesus: The Man of Joy

Jesus is not merely joyful. He is the Man of Joy.

“For the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross.” — Hebrews 12:2

Joy did not come after Jesus. Joy came with Jesus.

CONCLUSION

SEEING TRUE JOY CLEARLY

Church family, the Jews missed Jesus not because they were evil—but because they were satisfied.

And many today are missing Him for the same reason.

If your joy depends on circumstances, If it fades under pressure, If it cannot survive suffering—

Then it is not true joy.

And the invitation of Advent is not to abandon joy—but to exchange a fragile joy for a full one.

True joy entered the world in humility. True joy was laid in a manger. True joy walked to a cross. True joy walked out of a tomb.

And His name is Jesus Christ.

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” — John 15:11

Joy has a name. And He is here.