Joy To The World

1st Sunday of ADVENT

It’s been a tough year...

mandates

isolation

divisiveness

Holidays will be another heavy time for us

People mad because we DID have Thanksgiving & Christmas

People mad because we DIDN’T have Thanksgiving & Christmas

Here’s the first thing I want you to hear:

IT’S OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY, BUT IT’S NOT OKAY TO STAY THAT WAY

Some of us need to admit we’re not okay

Psalm 34:17–18 NLT

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

If this is you this morning:

IT’S OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY, BUT IT’S NOT OKAY TO STAY THAT WAY

It’s okay to be:

Fearful

Anxious

Depressed

Angry

Frustrated

Numb

But it’s not okay to stay that way

How can you get out of the funk?

ASK FOR HELP

We’re called to carry one another’s burdens:

Galatians 6:2 NLT

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

What good is a church family if we can’t even lean on each other when we’re struggling?!?!

We should be seeking opportunities to bless one another

Galatians 6:9–10 NLT

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Instead of following mistakes of our past

Those of us doing well should seek how to help those around us instead of judging them for not being okay

Hebrews 10:24 NLT

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

If you’re not okay, the enemy will try to isolate you

Follow the instruction of the next verse:

Hebrews 10:25 NLT

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

When we minister to one another

let’s not try to “fix” each other with our plans

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 NLT

When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

As we encourage one another:

People shouldn’t realize how much they needed US,

but how much they needed GOD

Psalm 121:1–2 NLT

I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

We can help ourselves daily:

BE INTENTIONALLY GRATEFUL

Philippians 4:6–7 NLT

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

The truth in this passage is profound

Habakkuk 3:17–18 NLT

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

Gratefulness is a choice

Joy can be a choice

Psalm 98:1–9 NLT

Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power! The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in. Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness.

The MERRY part of Merry Christmas can be a choice

If we make that choice, we have the opportunity to SHARE that joy

SHARE THE JOY

What incredible opportunity we have to share the MERRY part of Merry Christmas

1,000 things to be upset or critical about

1 thing overshadows it all: JESUS

Not worth it to try and fake our way through Christmas

People NEED the joy within us

Isaiah 61:1 NLT

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.

Let me pray this assignment over you today: