Sunday Service
My mom wasn't even a believer at that point in time. But I want walking off the church started going to Sunday school. When every Sunday and I remember being in Christmas program that. That is so cool. That is so cool. But I have those memories this morning of that and if you know as you go through Christmas if you remember being Christmas programs when you were kids think back and just cherish those moments. That's when God was first interacting with you when you were a kid. Put the call on your life. Christmas is all about the good news. Right but we have to have a few Christmas jokes this morning. So what did the Stamp say to the Christmas card? What did the Stamp say to the Christmas card? Stick with me and we'll go places. What is a ginger? What does the gingerbread man put on his bed?
cookie sheets, of course Oh and this one this one's just you going to love this one. What do reindeer say before they tell a joke? This was going to slay you. Hey Google, that's enough for jokes. Meet my jokes this morning. I got a question for you. I know a lot of you love Christmas as well. She is not here. She must be downstairs. So she's who started decorating in early November. Do people yeah who started decorating mid-november?
Who started decorating beginning December who has not started it yet? If people are okay, there's a couple people back there. That's okay. You know, what is everybody's different Roxanne and I love to decorate but before we met before I was married to Roxanne, I would decorate on Grey Cup weekend. That would be what I would do. That was my tradition real Roxanne Roxanne told when she was growing up. Her dad has a birthday on the 15th. additives on 13th Street West
And her mom would not let them start decorating until after his birthday. just because they didn't want to impact that but since we've been married though, we started our own traditions and we try to have everything done by about the 1st of December. But there's one thing that I still want to make or get the sign with three simple letters that spell the word joy joy, that's what this is all about Joy. Joy something that's largely missing from the world today. Very little Joy anywhere missing is being replaced by a four letter word. Who knows what that four-letter word is? Beer, yes, exactly. You know what? I saw certainly there's a new survey came out last week 60% of people now consider themselves germaphobes. What's a high number? 60% of people panic if they leave the house without sanitizer. It's all about fear that is all about fear today more than ever. People need to hear about joy and live with joy and experience Joy. As Believers and people of faith. We need to experience the joy that Jesus brings no matter what is going in on our lives. No matter what is going on in our lives. We need to experience Joy. Would you all agree? Hey man, you know because of Jesus we do not need to be paralyzed by fear. We do not need to be paralyzed by fear because of the Lord. Now you don't have to look very far. I do all of you know people who are paralyzed by fear. I know all of you too. You can see people who are paralyzed by fear and they have no joy, they have no joy.
One of the better than one of the number one selling tattoos right now. That I buy not that I get tattoos cuz I don't have any but one of the number one selling tattoos right now is born to lose. Can you believe that it shouldn't be that if a person wants to go and get a tattoo and that's this is not a public service announcement on tattoos. You do what you want, but get one because of Christ were born to win. You know, we're not born to lose or born to win. Would you agree? Men were born to win.
The devil is trying to destroy people the devil is doing his absolute best to destroy people but you know why he is not going to win he is not going to win. And more importantly God is not going to let him win. He thinks he might be winning right now.
He's a liar bottom-line. He's a liar and he's not going to win. He's not going to win with God. You are an overcomer be encouraged this morning. God is with you. He won't let you lose. He's going to help you win. God loves you so very much. But today we're going to talk about Joy. We're to talk about Jesus Savior and Jesus being a solution for everything going on in your life. As you can see. I have a PowerPoint good news. Joy has come how many of you agree Joy has come and it doesn't matter if it's December 25th or March 1st, whenever he was actually born, but joy has come Joy has come and if you can slip to the next slide.
Okay. Is there somewhere anybody up there? Oh, can you go to the next line Matthew? Thank you. Okay. Now I don't have all the verses on the slides, but I'm going to read Luke Chapter 2 verses 18 to 15. Some of them are in the slide sunburned. But listen that night some Shepherds were in the fields outside the village guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them in a landscape Sean breit with the glory of the Lord and they were they were badly frightened. But the angel reassure them don't be afraid. He said for I bring you the most joyful news ever announced the most. Joyful news ever announced
And it is for everyone. Some people but everyone the Savior. Yes, the Messiah the Lord has been born tonight in Bethlehem. How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket lying in a Manger suddenly. The angel was joined by a vast host of other armies of Heaven praising God. Glory to God in the highest they sing in peace on Earth for all those pleasing him. When is grade Army the angels have returned again to heaven the shepherd said to each other? Come on, let's go to Bethlehem and see this wonderful thing that has happened. Which Lord is foolish about I can look in some of those verses again. I apologize. I don't have money all on their butt.
Angel said fear don't be afraid every time there's an interaction with angels in the Bible. What's the first thing they say? Do not be afraid fear not Trace fear not. No, I give you the most joyful news announced. the most joyful news announced and it is for everyone not just some people it is for everyone amen, you know and One of the things I wanted to point out there and peace on Earth for all those pleasing him. No peace on Earth Rozzelles, please him. Fear not for I bring you good news of great. Joy, how many of you could use great joy great news of great joy today.
No, you don't For Those whom I must watch my Facebook cuz you know that it's no news weekend. I don't watch the news on a weekend. It is very little good news on the news anyway, but the good news is Jesus was born. The good news is Jesus loves you. He loves you. The world needs to hear good news of great joy and not just Joy, but great joy.
The great news is that Jesus has been born since I already said I'm going to say that over and over because he is born Hope Has Arrived Hope Has Arrived Joy has arrived piece has arrived. 2020s been difficult for some Christmas is always difficult, but people need to know and understand they have hope. And they have a future. A good future because of Christ I can constantly make this statement this morning. Disneyland is not the happiest place on earth.
Having joy in Jesus and knowing him is a happiest place on earth. Where you are you're with him. That's the happiest place on earth. So you've already got my slide there Matthew. Thank you Jesus. Is is the source of true Joy. It's so important to be reminded. on a regular basis that Jesus as a source of true Joy how many of you what commercials on TV or you just ignore the commercials? Ignore, okay. There's been a commercial around the last few years. It's from General Motors. It's General Motors commercial in a husband and wife open up little gifts in the house. And then he takes you outside outside. There's a great big GMC truck GMC SUV outside with ribbons and bows on them on how many members at commercial or some people watching.
So he's cuz she bought a little gift inside. He bought the vehicles. He bought the truck from self. But as you would call with the commercial she took the truck for herself, but those commercials are cool. But that doesn't happen in real life on Christmas morning to see two vehicles with bows on them. And how many of you also like the Hallmark movies? Hallmark Christmas movies the best the absolute best you're all we've been watching in our home since the 1st of November it on TV college football and Hallmark Christmas movies commercials. We watch the movies and what happened some people might become disappointed and unhappy because they don't have with the people in the commercials are the movie movies, right?
But we must remember that happiness and joy are not the same got to remember that the happiness case. We seen those commercials or the movies is different than permanent Joy. Can you forward facing our joy on what the world has to offer? We're always going to be disappointed? Again, if we are basing our joy and what the world has to offer we will always be disappointed. Our true sense of Joy has to be with temps were late our relationship with Jesus.
Here's a quote I once heard. Joy is not about what you have. But it's about what cannot be taken away from you. What you have in Christ cannot be taken away from you.
Your salvation cannot be taken away from you your future cannot be taken away from you. And again, that's perfect. That's true Joy. That's just can't leave us. The love that Christ has for you. No one can take it away. No one can ever take that away from you. And remember he loves, you know lights on a Christmas tree goes to Christmas trees over there. They look amazing. But they only look beautiful and nice because they are plugged into the right Source, right? We didn't plug him into electricity what would happen it would look good. We wouldn't see them. We need to be continually plugged into the right source, and that's worse is Jesus. Would you agree we need to be plugged in to Jesus? Thank you and Maria keep firing back there with those a man such great and John 15, Jesus reminds us that we are connected to him. It doesn't say we're connected to the world were connected to him.
Remember this the more time we spend with him?
The more that we will love him. And the more that we love him the more time we will spend with him. I said it again the more time we spend with him the more we will love him. And the more we love him the more time we will spend with him and then all of a sudden becomes like a snowball rolling down a hill and getting bigger and bigger and bigger because you'll want to spend more time with him because you love him or because you're spending more time with him. Are you learning more? You love him more and it's amazing what you'll see happened in your life. John 15:11. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your cup of Joy will overflow. Jesus is telling them that you would be filled with my joy. Yes, your cup of Joy will overflow. And again overflow. That's the key word. There doesn't say it's only going to have a little bit in it doesn't say it's only half full. It's going to be says it's going to overflow. MP4 me up different translations different thing things that your full there is another one that will overflow. How many of you want overflowing Joy this morning? A lots of hands to find out online what you put up your hand to.
Continual overflowing Joy no matter what's going on in your life. No matter how dark it may seem in your life. No matter what things are going on in your life for life or the life of your friends and your loved ones. That you will have continual overflowing Joy.
It's wrote a question with a question. Are you connected to the source? Are we all connected to the source? I think everybody here is I can't speak for people watching online.
If you're not connected to the store, so connect to Jesus your moments now. not tomorrow, but now tomorrow is promised to no man is what it says in the Bible.
Make a choice today, but Jesus change your life now. Philippians 4:4 be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life that Joy overflow for you or United with the anointed one.
Jesus is with you. Why would we be sad? Why would he be defeated? Jesus is with us. Psalm 16:11, you make known to me the path of life in your presence. There is fullness of joy it is they're okay at your right hand are Pleasures forevermore. forevermore for a Believer means eternity In your presence is fullness of joy, Matthew, please. Joy Serafin and threw that in a couple what's the number to Joy to find her circumstances, please? Joyous here. There we go. If our joy is found in him and not in the temporary things of life. Our view of God is never going to change. You know, I guess I know some people in life have been angry at God. Some people have been disappointed in God. But if our joy is found in him view of God is never going to change.
App for my birthday dinner or whatever it was, but neither one of us. Have you ever been mad at God? And I think that's a powerful. That's a wonderful cuz we're not but people should not get mad at God. God God never fails us. God. God will never fail us with him that Will ensure that his Joy never leaves us his Joy will never leave us. You know things are going on in your life, but you can still be a bright shining light everybody around you and asking open up opportunities for you to say when they ask you. Why is it you got this stuff going on? Why is it that you're happy? Why is it that you're happy when you got the stuff going on? And you can tell them about your faith in Christ. No matter what is happening around us or to us. Are Joy because of him will be constant situations are going to come along that causes temporary sadness. We know that sadness is part of life. We still can maintain the joy of the Lord through that sadness. We can maintain the joy of the Lord.
We always be happy. No. I'm not happy with her federal government. I can State you don't turn off.
Because I'm not happy with them doesn't mean they're going to take away my joy. Because the joy that we haven't crisis firm and solid and secure. Hitman Think about Paul think about Paul. He was in Chains. And he never stopped talking about the man that you met on the road to Damascus. He never stopped talking about the man that you met. The joy of the Lord is with him. He Brews 12 to Sis. Keep your eyes on Jesus our leader and instructor he was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy. He knew would be his afterwards and now he sits in the place of Honor by The Throne of God. I did encourage you this morning don't focus on the circumstances are going on in your life focus on the goodness of God the promises of God.
That makes sense focus on the goodness and Promises of God remember these words. Psalms 30 verse 5 weeping may go on all night, but in the morning there is Joy you know, it was the first scriptures that came up earlier this morning for knee and my 8N need my 8 or 8:10 and I didn't know they were going to be on there but it can the joy of the Lord is our strength, right? Joy comes through trusting more than trying Matthew perfect, you know.
The Shepherds were the lowest of the low in ancient times, but you know what they heard the words of the angel. And they trusted. They trusted. They left what was normal for them. They leftovers normal guarding the Sheep guarding a phlox. They trusted with the angel said and they went. They went they went to see the baby born. They trust it. Try it trusted. In an effort to experience and happiness. Enjoy many times. We try to work harder. I try to be the very best but in reality, all we have to do is trust. We just have to trust him God just wants us to trust him while he works in our life and fills us with joy on TV or Internet. But if we have less Joy today, and when we first made a commitment to follow Christ something is disconnected. Something is disconnected. We have to make sure we trust him. Well, he continually fills us with joy because we read scripture that talks about overflowing with joy, right? Romans 15:13 at K member if I put it on there not the inspiration and Foundation of Hope fill you to overflowing with uncontainable. Joy, and perfect peace as you trust in him. If we had if we had very limited scriptures. That one is so powerful that may God inspiration and found a fountain of Hope fill it overflowing with uncontainable joy the perfect peace as you trust in him. trust in him and may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super and super abundance tell you radiate with hope Joy hope he's giving us a future has given us hope it is time for us to put everything else aside and simply trust in the joy that he provides. Trust in the joy that he provides temporary happiness in the world with a joy that he provides when we trust him when we trust him. His Joy is going to fill us his Joy with Phyllis. Now one thing I've learned that most of you and 1/2 as well. We can't do it on our own we can't do it alone. Can we trying on our own we might be happy for a little bit, but it's not going to be permanent. We need the epiphany. of the head knowledge moving to our heart Got in knowing that God is always with us. He gives us a joy. Joy comes from God permanent. Joy comes from God Psalms 30 verse 11 and he broke through and transformed all my whaling. It's a whirling twirling dance. The static phrase is torn the veil and lifted from me the sad happiness of my morning you wrap me in the glory garments of gladness. Joy joy joy,
I think everybody here. Trust the Lord at all times, but you may be watching online and you're searching your searching this morning. Today is your day.
You know for those watching online, I don't care if you're sitting on your couch. I don't care if you're sitting at your kitchen table having breakfast. It does not even matter if you're still hungover from last night. And you have a bottle of bourbon sit in front of you right now.
God wants to give you a future and a hope.
Jesus was born and rose again that you would have a future and a hope. God will never talk about your past. That's a great thing about our God. God will never talk about your past ever the devil brings up your past all the time because he brings it up to me. He brings it up to you guys. I'm sure as well, but God will never talk about her past. God will talk about your future. And what he's got in store for you to do for him. Give your life to him today allow him to be the source of your permanent Joy.
You know this let's come to Christ this time a Christmas just trust him to give us at Supernatural Everlasting Joy Supernatural Everlasting Joy. If you if we if we walk in that Supernatural Everlasting Joy. You're going to impact the world for Christ in more ways than you ever could imagine the price. We could all the glory. God does not look at our past. He looks at our future was to give us a future and a hope and part of that is have permanent Joy permanent Supernatural Everlasting Joy. I'm just going to pray you guys going to get out of here really early today. Lord we thank you for this day Lord. I just thank you for the permanent Supernatural Everlasting. Joy that you put in each one of us Lord God. I know I'm not naive enough to believe that nobody's having any circumstances in real life father people have a lot of burdens are caring right now, but Lord I ask that you fill them with joy your Everlasting permanent Joy father. We're not going to have temporary happiness, but we're going to permanent joint Christ permanent joint Christ and father one day one day. We're going to look in your face. We're going to look in your face. We just thank you Lord for the birth of Jesus Lord. We just thank you that you said to the shepherd's funeral. Just like you say to a sphere not just like you say to us. Trust me. Trust me God. We praise you we thank you Father and thank you Father at this Christmas season, even though that I can be with their families and their friends and give me totally different Christmas season. This is one where they're going to feel your presence the most the entire life that you just pour out your presence your spirit. Everybody's life is Christmas in a way. They've never felt before the Lord that this is going to be a time when we're just going to use your your power to impact the world for you father again. Just think for this time. We've had we just praise you and thank you everybody sad. Hey, man. Thanks, everyone.
Well, we we do request so Gordon wanted to do silent night. So we're going to end off the service with silent night. So I hope our musicians are already. Some of them are.
All right, and we should have the words. I know where overhead guys are on top of this right and projector guys. Look at that. They're ready to go.
So let's do this.