Joy to the World

Luke 2:10–11 NKJV

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Danny had recently passed his driving test and decided to ask his clergyman father if there was any chance of him getting a car for Christmas, which was yet some months away. 'Okay.' said his father 'I tell you what I'll do. If you can get your 'C' level grades up to 'A's and 'B's, study your bible and get your hair cut, I'll consider the matter very seriously.' A couple of months later Danny went back to his father who said 'I'm really impressed by your commitment to your studies. Your grades are excellent and the work you have put into your bible studies is very encouraging. However, I have to say I'm very disappointed that you haven't had your hair cut yet. 

Danny was a smart young man who was never lost for an answer. 'Look dad. In the course of my bible studies I've noticed in the illustrations that Moses, John the Baptist, Samson and even Jesus had long hair.' 'Yes. I'm aware of that...' replied his father '... but did you also notice they walked wherever they went?'

The Promise of Joy

Notice that the promise is not happiness. Happiness is a transient emotion. Happiness is your emotions, while joy is your soul.

Genesis 12:3 NKJV

3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Isaiah 49:6 NKJV

6 Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

The Commutation of Joy

Somebody needs to share the news.1 Cor 1.21

1 Corinthians 1:21 NKJV

21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

But, to share the joyful news of Jesus, we must know it.

The Dispersion of Joy

To both the Jew and Gentile.

It has been said that Joy is J.O.Y. Jesus, Others, and , Yourself.

Hope is future.

Faith is Now.

When joy and hope collide it enables us to persevere and overcome.

Proverbs 13:12 NKJV

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

The Reason for Joy

Jesus

It was coming up to Christmas and Sammy asked his mum if he could have a new bike. So, she told him that the best idea would be to write to Santa Claus. But Sam, having just played a vital role in the school nativity play, said he would prefer to write to the baby Jesus. So his mum told him that would be fine. Sam went to his room and wrote ' Dear Jesus, I have been a very good boy and would like to have a bike for Christmas.' But he wasn't very happy when he read it over. So he decided to try again and this time he wrote 'Dear Jesus, I'm a good boy most of the time and would like a bike for Christmas.' He read it back and wasn't happy with that one either. He tried a third version. 'Dear Jesus, I could be a good boy if I tried hard and especially if I had a new bike.' He read that one too, but he still wasn't satisfied.  So, he decided to go out for a walk while he thought about a better approach. After a short time he passed a house with a small statue of the Virgin Mary in the front garden. He crept in, stuffed the statue under his coat, hurried home and hid it under the bed. Then he wrote this letter. 'Dear Jesus, If you want to see your mother again, you'd better send me a new bike.'

Forgiveness of sin

Eternal life

Serving the Lord.

Myra is a blessing cleaning the church.

Those who worked to setup, teardown, and clean after all of the holiday services.

Let me take this opportunity to remind you that we should respect the church facilities. I know you have your water and coffee, and thats fine, but remember that this is a place dedicated to worshiping God. It is probably wise to leave your pet fish at home. The church is not a doggie daycare. Nor is it a place to be entertained. It a place where the bride pf Christ gathers to to give praise and homage to our Saviour.

Starting the new year, we are going to begin walking through the book of Ephesians and examining what the purpose of the church is. Let me give you a sneak peak, it is not a country club where the members desires are paramount. It isn’t a corporation where a board control its direction. It isn’t a museum where we memorialize the past. Neither is it a humanitarian organization (even though we may do humanitarian work.) The church is an embassy of a heavenly kingdom, where God reigns supreme. He is the sole controller of the organism and the church exist for His glory alone. As long as He is glorified, then the church is accomplishing what it is called to do. God alone determines the purpose of the church and His word declares that its mission is to give God praise, evangelize the lost, and disciple the believers.

And, when we are focused on what we are called to do, and we recognize what we have been gives, we have reason for joy.

Let me say, there is joy in serving the Lord.

Galatians 5:22 NKJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

The fruit of the Spirit is Joy.

Have you ever met someone that was always without joy? They may seem to always have an unpleasant disposition.

Some people will always tell you what they are against, but never tell you what they are for. Usually this is because they have no joy. But, for the true Christian, joy is a fruit of the spirit and should be evident in our lives.