Advent 2025: Joy

Introduction

Luke 2:9–11 “9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 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; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Hope

Peace

Joy

Love

Joy vs Happiness

Rejoice - to feel or show great joy, delight, or happiness

Matthew 2:10 “10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”

John 16:20–22 “20 “Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy. 21 “Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. 22 “Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”

Philippians 4:4 “4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 “16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Message Title:

Bible Passage: Psalm 16:11

Rejoice in His path

“You will make known to me the path of life...”

Proverbs 14:12 “12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” (Pro 16:25)

Matthew 7:13–14 “13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Rejoice in His presence

“...In Your presence is fullness of joy...”

Fullness=satisfying and endless

Psalm 21:1–6 “1 O Lord, in Your strength the king will be glad, And in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice! 2 You have given him his heart’s desire, And You have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah. 3 For You meet him with the blessings of good things; You set a crown of fine gold on his head. 4 He asked life of You, You gave it to him, Length of days forever and ever. 5 His glory is great through Your salvation, Splendor and majesty You place upon him. 6 For You make him most blessed forever; You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence.”

Psalm 23:4 “4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

1 Chronicles 16:11 “11 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually.”

Rejoice in His pleasures

“...In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

Elihu’s Discourse

Job 36:10–11 “10 “He opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they return from evil. 11 “If they hear and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity And their years in pleasures.”

Romans 8:17–18 “17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Revelation 21:1–7 “1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” 5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. 7 “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.”

Conclusion

Joy = full of God

John 15:4-11

The Lord’s Supper - 1 Cor 11:23-32