Joy
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Intro:
What is joy? Ask for examples not definitions
Many people link joy and happiness, but to seek happiness is almost insanity. There is no way we can be happy all the time because we live in an imperfect world. But some great examples were given of joy. Joy is what we find in the Truth, the truth reassures us of what lies ahead and gives us hope and strength not just in the good times but the bad. Take for instance the Shepherds, the lowliest of the lowly and yet on that wonderful night when Christ was born, angels appeared to them, in Luk 2:9-10 says
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
You see the shepherds were the ones with the hardest jobs and the most simple of lifestyles. They were the ones who had the toughest lives pretty much. And yet here are these angels coming to them to proclaim the joyful news of Christ’s coming.
What is Joy
What is Joy
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
1. Power in the Midst of fear
a. Do not be afraid
i. God is sending a savior
b. It was finally time
i. A real time for joy
ii. Had been promised salvation
“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.
c. God doesn’t leave us to fear
i. He defeats fear
ii. Brings the message of joy
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
2. Joy in the Savior
a. Where and when
b. What you can expect
c. God gives us the expectation of the Gospel
i. Then He fulfills that expectation
ii. Gave them a sign - They were not seeking it, but given one because of their faith
3. The Gospel of Joy
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
a. Joy in Good News
b. Been waiting a long time for this
c. Proclaimed by Angels
i. Think about when Jesus returns
d. The great joy for the believer
iii. Terror for the non-believer
Joy in Jesus
Joy in Jesus
When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
1. Doing
a. Didn’t just listen and go back to sheep
b. They went
c. They encouraged one another
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
d. They were rewarded
i. Sure faith without deeds is dead
ii. But faith that moves finds joy
2. Spreading the Joy
When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
a. They didn’t just go home
b. They shared with their neighbors
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
c. Its not just about saying something
i. Its about spreading joy
ii. Its what we seek in life
iii. So people will respond as we did
Conclusion
Remember a guy in Texas, shared the Gospel with him once, then twice and a third time. He fought me at first, but I opened it up for questions and I showed Him the Scriptures of Truth. When he understood the Truth we both rejoiced together, he came to know the Lord of joy but I had to share my joy with him. Are you ready and willing to share your joy? When we touch the joy of the Lord surely we cannot help it, when definitely cannot hide it, so why don’t we just share it!