JOY (Advent 2021-02)

Luke 2:15 CSB

When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

INTRO—

Communicating clearly involves more than just words…I’m pretty sure we’ve all heard that. It’s one thing to say “I love you”…You’ve gotta be sure you communicate that with everything you are…to say it, but your expressions communicate ‘otherwise’ will not bode well for you.

The same could be said of us—Christians—and our JOY…One of my preaching heroes, Charles Spurgeon the great London Baptist pastor...

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 2818 Hell and Your Face

2818 Hell And Your Face

Charles H. Spurgeon, was emphasizing to his class the importance of making the facial expression harmonize with the speech.

“When you speak of Heaven,” he said, “let your face light up, let it be irradiated with a heavenly gleam, let your eyes shine with reflected glory. But when you speak of Hell—well, then your ordinary face will do.”

CHRISTMAS, THE SEASON OF…JOY!!!

JOY, The First Christmas

Shepherds, All, & Mary...

Luke 2.15-20 15“When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.”

Wise Men...

Matthew 2.10-12 “When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.”

Anna...

Luke 2.36-38 “There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”

JOYful, JOYful! (or Joy to the World…)

Much JOY in Heaven...

Luke 15.1-7 “All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to him. And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.” [underline = vv. 4-7]

The Fruit of the Spirit is...

Galatians 5.22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.”

Justified JOY! (Psalm 146.5-10)

From “happy” to “Hallelujah!” [vv. 5, 10; ‘Happy’=Blessed (Psalm 1)]

Recounting what the/our Lord does:

carries out justice…gives…frees…opens the eyes…raises up…loves…protects…helps…frustrates

Recounting for whom the/our Lord does these things:

the exploited…(food to the) hungry…prisoners…blind…oppressed…righteous…aliens (sojourners)…fatherless and widows…wicked

CONCL—

Don’t you just hate feeling weak? [sick (Covid)…injured…etc…]

Nehemiah 8.10 “Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.””

Nehemiah 8:10 CSB

Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.”