Joy for United Christmas
United Christmas 2018 • Sermon • Submitted
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Joy is Elusive
Joy is Elusive
On the night of Jesus’ birth, an angel of the Lord visited a group of shepherds and said, “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.” So, the angel told the shepherds that the good news of Jesus’ birth was that he was the Savior through whom all people could find joy. But, the difficulty is that we find the pursuit of joy, even as people who follow Jesus, to be an ever present battle, don’t we?
Joy is elusive in a broken world. Joy is elusive because suffering is pervasive. Joy is elusive because there are bitter tears and lonely tables and cold beds and rebellious children. And, joy is elusive because there’s always a carrot dangling in front of our faces that we never seem to be able to reach as we run on the treadmill of the American Dream. No matter what we buy or what promotion we get or who we’re in a relationship with, we find ourselves without the joy that we thought that we’d have if we’d just reach that goal or have that thing.
Joy is Possible
Joy is Possible
Although joy is elusive, although our joy is under threat in this broken world, the Good News is that it is really possible to have true and abiding joy. The Angel had told the truth to the shepherds that night. Christ had come to bring joy to all peoples. Not fleeting joy or bought joy or temporary joy. But, durable, persevering, eternal joy.
English Standard Version Chapter 15
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Christ came to us so that we would abide in his love. Christ came to us so that we might keep his command. Christ came to us so that we might come to him and be kept by him. That is, Christ came to us so that we might have joy and joy to the fullest!