Joy To The World

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The LORD humbles us in order to honor and provide us joy

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Introduction

Illustration: ELISABETH KüBLER-ROSS
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (July 8, 1926 – August 24, 2004) was a Swiss-American psychiatrist, a pioneer in near-death studies and the author of the groundbreaking book On Death and Dying (1969), where she first discussed her theory of the five stages of grief, also known as the "Kübler-Ross model".
The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.
Denial – The first reaction is denial. In this stage, individuals believe the diagnosis is somehow mistaken, and cling to a false, preferable reality.Anger – When the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue, they become frustrated, especially at proximate individuals. Certain psychological responses of a person undergoing this phase would be: "Why me? It's not fair!"; "How can this happen to me?"; "Who is to blame?"; "Why would this happen?".Bargaining – The third stage involves the hope that the individual can avoid a cause of grief. Usually, the negotiation for an extended life is made in exchange for a reformed lifestyle. People facing less serious trauma can bargain or seek compromise. Examples include the terminally ill person who "negotiates with God" to attend a daughter's wedding or an attempt to bargain for more time to live in exchange for a reformed lifestyle.Depression – "I'm so sad, why bother with anything?"; "I'm going to die soon, so what's the point?"; "I miss my loved one; why go on?" During the fourth stage, the individual despairs at the recognition of their mortality. In this state, the individual may become silent, refuse visitors and spend much of the time mournful and sullen. Acceptance
Illustration: Seeing In The Dark:  Finding God’s Light In The Most Unexpected Places by Nancy Ortberg
“There is light in the deepest and darkest places”
“Sometimes the Lord uses darkness to shape the soul”
“Sometimes we think that we cannot find the Lord in the darkness. But it is in these times that we we can sit still we can see that glimmer of light that comes from the Lord.  It is in these times that the Lord is able to get our attention!”
“There is a perception that the dormancy of darkness is unfruitful & unproductive”
Illustration: Definition of Dormant:
in a state of rest or inactivity; inoperative; i.e. The Ministry is dormant for the time being.
Biology . in a state of minimal metabolic activity with cessation of growth, as a reaction to adverse conditions or as part of an organism's normal annual Rhythm.

Transition to Reading Scripture

In our Passage today The people of God have had to adjust to being in a dark place. The LORD sends a message through the prophet Isaiah that his people, Judah & Israel, have to adjust their perspective, their view of the situation. Previously the people of God enjoyed years of being in the light. The past 55 years under the reign of King Uzziah, most people within the nation of Judah had been living their best life. Then Jotham who was King Uzziah’s son became the king. King Jotham was a pretty good king. Now king Ahaz, who was Jotham’s son sits on the throne. The nation of Judah is in steep decline due to sin. They are no longer in the period of prosperity that was initiated under King Uzziah. But under the reign of King Uzziah the people were not faithful to God. The rich and middle class had enjoyed prosperous times but they weren’t a blessing to those in need and who were on the margins of society.
- The LORD is seeking fruit of righteousness
- Look to the LORD
- Be firm in your faith
- The LORD brings judgement
The LORD is with us
Fear the LORD
(Read scripture)

Illustration: Dating In The Dark TV show

Dating

Three men and three women are sequestered in separate wings of the house, unable to have any conversation or contact with the opposite sex unless in the dark room. Initially, all six contestants have a group date in which they all sit at a table in the dark room exchanging names and getting to know one another's voices and personality types. After this date, each contestant can invite another contestant for a one-on-one date; these dates are also held in the dark room.
Throughout the show, the host, Rossi Morreale, provides the men and women with additional insights by providing personality profiles showing which contestants are their best matches and also allowing them to view items the others have brought to the house, such as items of clothing or luggage. Other episodes include sketch artists drawing contestants' impressions of each other.
After the one-on-one dates, each contestant can choose to invite another that they wish to see. The contestants enter the dark room for the final time and are revealed to each other one at a time. During the reveal process the couple must remain silent.

The Reveal Process

While being shown in the light, a contestant cannot see the other contestant's reaction. Each contestant is standing at opposite ends of the dark room with a very large two-way mirror between them. A color camera films from the dark side of the mirror while the other is illuminated on the other side. A separate infrared camera films the person on the dark side's reaction; the two images are combined in post-production. This is done, in part, by using video editing software to fade the infrared image of the person being revealed to black before they are illuminated, then seamlessly showing the color image of the person being revealed as it is faded in and out. During the reveal process the couple must remain silent.

The Balcony

The show culminates with each contestant choosing whether to meet another on the balcony of the house. The contestant will go to the balcony and wait for his or her prospective partner to join him or her. Joining the other on the balcony signifies that the contestants both want to pursue a relationship; exiting the house through the front door signifies that they do not want to pursue a relationship. Cameras are set up to show both the meeting balcony and the front door.

One Episode:

Women walking off of the TV show wondering if they have any true value to anyone.
The Judgment that the women received was not rooted in any reality. They were beautiful women and did not know it for themselves, they were looking for someone else to affirm that they were beautiful
(Transition: In our passage today, the children of God, who are known as the nation of Judah, are dating the LORD in the dark so to speak.)

Transition To Body

The people of God have had to adjust to being in a dark place. The LORD sends a message through the prophet Isaiah that his people, Judah & Israel, have to adjust their perspective, their view of the situation. Previously the people of God enjoyed years of being in the light. The past 55 years under the reign of King Uzziah, most people within the nation of Judah had been living their best life. Then Jotham who was King Uzziah’s son became the king. King Jotham was a pretty good king. Now king Ahaz, who was Jotham’s son sits on the throne. The nation of Judah is in steep decline due to sin. They are no longer in the period of prosperity that was initiated under King Uzziah. But under the reign of King Uzziah the people were not faithful to God. The rich and middle class had enjoyed prosperous times but they weren’t a blessing to those in need and who were on the margins of society.
Previously the people of God enjoyed years of being in the light.  The  past 55 years under the reign of king Uzziah, most people within the nation of Judah had been living their best life.  Then Jotham who was king Uzziah’s son became the king.  King Jotham was a pretty good king.  Now king Ahaz, who was jotham’s son sits on the throne. The nation of Judah is in steep decline due to sin. They are no longer in the period of prosperity that was initiated under king  Uzziah.
But under the reign of King Uzziah the people were not faithful to God. The rich and middle class had enjoyed prosperous times but they weren’t a blessing to those in need And who were on the margins of society.

Body

The LORD Humbles In Order To Honor

Romans 5:3–5 ESV
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
2 Corinthians 4:4–6 ESV
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:4-
2 Corinthians 4:7–12 ESV
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
2 Corinthians 4:7-
2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 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.

The LORD Shines Light In Darkness

2 Corinthians 4:16-
Illustrate: Cataracts
John 1:4–5 ESV
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:4-5
John 1:9 ESV
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
5
John 3:16–21 ESV
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
John 3:16-
John 8:12 ESV
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The LORD Brings Joy Through Brokenness

shattered = be dismayed, have a feeling of discouragement, implying fear and terror, and/or panic and confusion, as an extension of the shattering of an object, fail, be in awe, break
Exodus 23:7 ESV
Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked.
Exodus 23:27 ESV
I will send my terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people against whom you shall come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.
2 Chronicles 20:4 ESV
And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
2 Chronicles 20:13 ESV
Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
2 Chronicles 20:13
2 Chronicles 20:15 ESV
And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.
2 Chronicles 20:
2 Chronicles 20:21–26 ESV
And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another. When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the Lord. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day.
2 Chronicles 20:21-
Psalm 55:9–15 ESV
Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go around it on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it; ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace. For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng. Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart.
Psalm
The LORD shattered (past tense) the yoke that burdens (present tense) them
2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles 20:21–22 ESV
And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.
The LORD shattered (past tense) to yoke that burdens his people
Matthew 11:30 ESV
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The LORD shattered (past tense) the bar across (present tense) their shoulders
The LORD shattered (past tense) the rod of their oppressor( present tense).
Psalm 124:1–8 ESV
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side— let Israel now say— if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Transition To Conclusion

Illustrate: Joy and Pain by Franky Beverly & Maze- 1980
Illustrate : You Bring Me Joy by Anita Baker- 1986
Illustrate: Joy by BlackStreet- 1994
Isaiah 9:6 ESV
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 32:1–3 ESV
Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice. Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land. Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed, and the ears of those who hear will give attention.
Isaiah 40:1–3 ESV
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Isaiah 40:8 ESV
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Isaiah 40:27–31 ESV
Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 30
Psalm 30:5 ESV
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 51:8–11 ESV
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Psalm 51:8-
Psalm 95:1–3 ESV
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
Psalm 100:1–5 ESV
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 119:105 ESV
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:118 ESV
You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain.
Nehemiah 9:8 ESV
You found his heart faithful before you, and made with him the covenant to give to his offspring the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite. And you have kept your promise, for you are righteous.
Nehemiah 8:10 ESV
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehe
Conclusion
John 10:
John 10:10–11 ESV
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
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