The Joy of the New Birth

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. Family, traditions, relaxation—and reflection of the biblical stories of Christmas (Shepherds, Angels, and Wisemen).

It was the wisemen, and their response to the birth of a new king that catches my attention:

Text

Matthew 2:10–11 ESV

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

“They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”

The Scripture does not give full details as to how the wisemen viewed Jesus as king.

But we know that the birth of Jesus—and the work of Jesus ushers in salvation for all who would believe.

TODAY, I want to draw your attention to the attitude of JOY—which all believers should express because of miracle of NEW BIRTH.

We have been born again—we have exchanged a lost, sinful, empty life with the NEW LIFE in CHRIST!

As the wisemen “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” when they saw the STAR, we should “rejoice exceedingly with great joy” because Christ is the object of our affection and gratitude because He has given us NEW LIFE!

1 Peter 1:3 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Jesus is the cause of our joy!

Peter expresses the heart of a believer—the intense desire to BLESS THE LORD because of “His great mercy”…which “has caused us to be born again.”

That through Christ’s resurrection we have a living hope (not fleeting or temporary).

A typical observable human experience is birth, living, and death. But Christ’s experience does not end in death—the resurrection power pours fuel to the flame of our joy!

Jesus is the author and originator of our joy! Our joy is found in the perfect Son of God.

Keep our eyes on Jesus.

Transition

Peter then expands on the subject of our “living hope”—which is...

1 Peter 1:4–5 ESV

4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The work of God sustains our joy!

Our joy is more than a mere emotion. It is rooted in the fact of the work of Jesus (His example, teaching, miracles, death, and resurrection).

Too often we fall into the belief that our “joy” is dependent on our circumstances:

Health (physical and emotional)

Employment

Marriage and Family

Financial position

Possession

God’s power and the reality of His presence is more than enough.

Transition

1 Peter 1:6–7 ESV

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Hardships do not need to rob us of our joy!

Sometimes we buy into a lie of the enemy that suggests that God is judging us or has abandoned us due to our present circumstances.

Our faith is going to be tested.

Because we live in a sinful world, we will experience bad things.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church:

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

So, let’s not lose heart—let’s not allow discouragement rob you of your joy in Christ.

One day our faith will become sight—in we will behold that One who saved us by His grace.

Transition

So, what do we do?

1 Peter 1:8–9 ESV

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The gift of salvation completes our joy!

The Scripture makes it very clear: the outcome of our faith is the salvation of our souls.

Coming to church or observing Christmas rituals does does not equate to salvation—only Christ—through His death and resurrection—and believing in what He did for us—that receives the work of Christ in our lives.

Because of salvation—we have joy—and our joy is complete!

Conclusion

Our joy is not dependent on our circumstances.

Our joy is not effected by our struggles.

Our joy is established and maintained by faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Do you know Him?

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

What do you think is the difference between joy and happiness? Or, is there?

Why should the believer in Christ experience joy?

What does joy do in our spiritual life—and how can it help us in times of difficulty?