Advent 2018: Why Joy?
Advent 2018 • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 2 viewsThe visit of the Magi provides a strong basis for the joy of the gentiles at Christmas.
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
What is joy?
Oftentimes, we hear that there is a difference between joy and happiness.
Joy - The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good. Emotions caused by success or good fortune. Possessing what we love or desire.
It is fundamental to the OT’s understanding of joy are God’s acts in history.
Israels deliverance from Egypt ()
Return from Babylonian exile. ()
Psa
1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Psa
This joy is carried over into the NT.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Magi or “wise men” are mentioned in .
Word is translated into “medicine men”.
We don’t know how many there were.
Were not present at the manger. Some time after.
Were not Jews.
They came from east of Jerusalem, from Persia, or Arabia.
Why was joy fulfilled in the wise men?
1. Heavenly guidance.
1. Heavenly guidance.
While the Magi may have tried to search for astronomical parallels to a divine communication, this would not have been profitable.
The star “went before” lit. means ‘came and stood’ - the star itself moved to guide the magi.
How it led them to the house can only be left to the imagination.
The language is very strong, expressing meaningful transport.
Their reaction implied that the star had disappeared and reappeared.
Going to SA as a child and seeing the Howard Johnson sign.
It’s one thing to have directions. It’s another to find reassurance along the way.
Do you ever worry that you’re missing something?
I’m not doing enough...
As if my earnings aren’t enough.
We don’t seek God for His approval, we seek Him because we desire Him.
God is worth finding church. But, your reasons have to be pure.
Seek Jesus for Jesus. Not because of what He gives you.
2. Biblical relevance.
2. Biblical relevance.
The OT sheds light on the visit from the Magi.
& 15
& 6
2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.”
Interchange with Jews was fulfilled.
The Christmas is continued proof that nothing happened by accident.
“It is written...” carries true relevance.
5th grade didn’t claim to be smarter. I just knew that the Bible doesn’t say that.
The word of God is infallible.
it speaks over our lives.
It never steers men wrong.
-17
It’s your choice if you want to allow the scriptures to guide your life.
It doesn’t change.
3. Spiritual significance.
3. Spiritual significance.
Why are the wise men so important to the Christmas story?
The Christmas story is mostly reserved as a Jewish story.
Mary, Joseph, Shepherds.
- “good news for all...”
The wise men were gentiles like you and me.
They were not Jewish.
This tells us that God had all people in mind when Jesus was sent to the world.
Grafting a pecan tree.
We are all part of the family of God.
Let’s learn from the past.
The message of Christmas is not just for church people. It’s much more.
Does the joy of the magi live in your heart?
Do you allow God in your life or do you desire Him?