The Gospel of Great Joy
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8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 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. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Vs.10 ...“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
Introduction:
Did you know the word joy is used in our English translation of the Bible, 158 times, and in the Greek χαρά, 188 times.
It is very closely linked to the Greek χάρις which is used as Grace in our English bible some 128 times in the N.T.
Both are derived from the root χαιρω which means to rejoice!
What we can derive from this, is that joy is not only felt inside but is manifested outwardly and recognized by a content and happy countenance!
There’s something wrong with a disgruntled Christian.
The norm for a believer, is a joyful presence that is seen by others.
Not that we are every moment
If no one’s seeing it, then we need to reflect on why!
1. There is Joy today.
1. There is Joy today.
Can you feel the warmth in the air?
Don’t you sense the difference in people around you?
At the office?
At the store?
At home?
Isn’t there something magically mysterious about the days leading up to Christmas?
I think that’s the joy the angel spoke of when he came to the shepherds.
“I bring you good tidings of great joy!”
You see, all we have to do to find joy, is to look to Him!
People in general experience joy because its reflected from Jesus, after all, He is the light of the world.
And so, there is joy -
a. When we celebrate His life.
Not the things of life that only bring pleasure for a moment, but Jesus!
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
And there is joy -
b. When we are trusting Him.
24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
2. There is Joy evermore.
2. There is Joy evermore.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
If we are walking in the Spirit as Paul says in , then we will manifest the fruit of the Spirit.
Here lies the difference between us and the world.
Once Christmas is past, the joy begins to fade, but not for us who are in Christ!
3. There is Joy in the drudgery of life.
3. There is Joy in the drudgery of life.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
a. in Labor
In the daily toil of our work, regardless of its difficulty, there should be joy!
b. in hardship
c. in loss.
whether that means health, job, relationships, sadness, or even death; God’s plan for us in these circumstances is to have joy in our hearts because of Him!
It begs the question, how does one have joy in sadness and loss?
It isn’t that we plaster a smile on our face hiding our emotions!
It isn’t even that we deny ourselves the place of grieving!
It’s that we get through the time in ultimate hope and confidence in our Savior, and find joy in Him rather than the situation.
If we don’t know what to do with these feelings of grief and sadness, we throw them on Jesus.
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
4. There is Joy in finishing well.
4. There is Joy in finishing well.
22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
I wonder if we think about this much, or are we preoccupied with our own temporal happiness?
Are we cognizant of the fact that we are not here to serve ourselves but Him?
If you will, it is the ultimate Christmas gift we could give, to not live for ourselves but for Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
In the next few days as you spend time preparing meals, last minute shopping, visiting friends and relatives, keep your perspective and focus in your heart on Jesus.
Remind yourself of how blessed you are eternally, and share that joy with others!
Merry Christmas!