The Cost and Consequence of Our Joy

Paul Hamilton

Christmas • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

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Read Philippians 2: 1-10 > Pray

We all love Christmas. Much of what fills our minds and warms our hearts are cultural traditions. Lights, Christmas trees, gifts. And that is all good. Culture and traditions are good, we can enjoy the good world God has given us. Enjoy time with family, enjoying certain foods, maybe a little too much—in celebration.

As Christians, and even in the broader culture we are warmed by the religious aspects. Baby Jesus in the manger, the shepherds, angels, the wise men. The pageantry of the nativity scene. More people come to church. And that is good, Jesus being named, remembered, considered gives opportunity for the true gospel to go out.

We sang JOY to the WORLD this morning. And you may have heard that in stores, on TV. JOY has come! That very thought and concept captivates us.

Even as Christianity is rejected more and more, still it resonates loudly in the broader culture. A pure, deep, real joy, epitomized in Jesus in the manger. Even as so much is misunderstood. The desire and need for JOY is real.

So, this morning, I want us to approach Christmas this year, with our hearts FILLED TO THE BRIM with the wonder at the COST and CONSEQUENCE of our JOY.

IT is real, and it is wondrous! So, let’s take a few minutes this morning and really consider the cost that was paid and what that means. Let’s consider how astounding it is that the Son of God, took on flesh to pay the cost. so we can communicate the truth of that joy to our broken and needy world.

1. THE COST of our JOY - (6-10)

A. The Price That Was Paid

Our joy didn’t come cheap. We had all rebelled against joy, and chased after death. That goes all the way back to the beginning. As Paul wrote in Romans 5…

Romans 5:12 (ESV) — 12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Because of Adam’s first sin, Sin and death crashed into this world, and perverted it, corrupted it, destroyed JOY… and we were all born…

Ephesians 2:1–2 (ESV) — 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, … [Away from JOY]

So there we are, ugly rebellious, sinners. All deserving death and hell, forever. None of us able to save ourselves or fix ourselves or be good enough. Who could pay this cost? Can you pay my bill? Can I pay yours? Are you good enough? Am I? No. the Price to be paid is HELL and DEATH… i don’t want to pay that price, it would destroy me. We needed a savior.

B. The Savior

Let’s consider the savior for a few moments. Consider him as he was before we get into the Christmas story …

Philippians 2:6 (ESV) — 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

He was the FORM of God, equal with God. he didn’t need to grasp at that, or hold onto it, that is who he was. Or as John puts it.

John 1:1–5 (ESV) — 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Here we are introduced to our savior. The WORD of GOD. with God, being God (was God) creator of all things. In him was life and light! And he shines perfectly in the darkness.

So try, for a moment, to get your head around this. The perfect—in everyway—being. Perfect in union and fellowship with the FATHER and SPIRIT. Enjoying each other’s perfection as one being. Creating and rejoicing over his creation, ever sub-atomic particle, every star, and creature.

The light of life shining over his creation! Prefect Joy and holiness. The Angels surround him in his glory praising him, honoring him. But rebellion comes. Satan rebels, Adam rebels, his creation turns from life to death, from light to darkness!

His creation rejects him, choosing death and folly, and hell. So get that image in your mind: there is the Word of God, eternal, happy, perfect, glorified honored GOD. Rejected by men, scorned in the world.

C. THE SAVIOR CAME!

Philippians 2:7 (ESV) — 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

What is the response of the WORD of GOD to this rebellion?? HE COMES!

So, get the first bit of this verse… Christ emptied himself. The Greek word used here means to make nothing. So that doesn’t mean Christ stopped BEING GOD, he made being God of no effect for himself, he emptied himself of that glory. What does it look like for God to empty himself?

Taking the FORM of a SERVANT, born in the likeness of man! He was in the FORM of GOD, now he takes on the FORM of a servant, a human baby. Here is our CHRISTMAS STORY!

That sounds really different when we tell the story from Christ’s perspective. That sweet nativity of Mary and Joseph, in the stable… that is the story of the SON of GOD emptying himself of his glory and taking upon himself the most humble condition. Human, a poor human at that, born in an animal stall!

The Glorious God taking upon himself human flesh for the sake of rebel people!

D. The SAVIOR CAME to DIE

Philippians 2:8 (ESV) — 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

The immense Cost of our sin, was not paid simply by the humiliation of God becoming man, living in discomfort, experiencing hunger, suffering the mocking of fools, or the pains of life.

No, the price was not paid until he allowed himself to be crucified on the cross.

His death on the cross is the focal point of Christ’s life. as we have been learning from Ecclesiastes, the life of wisdom and blessing is the life lived with the end in view.

Jesus epitomized this. He lived to die. He was born to die, the whole project of salvation was so to bring him to that moment when he would lay down his life for his friends!

Jesus’ refrain throughout his life, my time has not yet come… that time was coming. And it was always in his mind. As he approached Jerusalem, he began revealing the reality of his work to his disciples. God’s love was to be revealed in the death of Christ.

Romans 5:8 (ESV) — 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

This was God’s purpose and plan from before the world was created. Read Ephesians 1. This was God’s amazing purpose. His unfathomable love. Paul puts this all together in Colossians.

Colossians 2:13–14 (ESV) — 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

This is what Christ accomplished on the cross. Our record of debt, with all its legal demands, nailed to his body on the cross.

The great wonder of Christmas is that this little baby came into the world to die on a cross for SINNERS. This is the price of our JOY!! JOY HAS COME! because our Savior came to die! Without his death there is no joy! No hope! No peace! See the price that was paid! This is the cost!

E. The Savior Raised! The Cost was Paid!

I want to get to us, to the consequence of this joy. But notice how this story is not about us. We are gloriously impacted, but this story is about Jesus. Back in Philippians.

Philippians 2:9–10 (ESV) — 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

Jesus won! He was raised from the dead on the third day and He was exalted by God! The story is that Christ’s obedience and his sacrifice brought him into a glory we cannot comprehend.

For us the marvel is that we are united with that glory and partake of it, but the story is that the glory belongs to him. he is the hero.

He is the king, every knee will bow, all powers and dominions and authorities, all that has rebelled will be brought into final submission.

1 Corinthians 15:25–26 (ESV) — 25 For [Christ] must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

This is the story, the Joy to the world is the KING has Come that is the JOY. the King has inaugurated his kingdom – making all things right!

That is the joy! Whether you take it or not the JOY HAS COME! earth rejoices, the angels sing… RIGHT HAS COME! WRONG WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENDURE!

Christ sits on his throne!

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV) — 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

That is the story. it is the amazing mercy of God that he called us out of death into life by uniting us through faith in Christ.

This is the love of God that he allows us—all those who have been called by God—all those who believe on Christ to share in his life, and find forgiveness, healing and glory and JOY in Christ!

The story of The Bible, the story of Christmas is so much bigger than our little story, it is a cosmic salvation, and we can have a part, if we believe on Christ and turn from our sin to rest in him and find this JOY.

So now lets turn and consider the CONSEQUENCE of our joy!

II. THE CONSEQUENCE OF JOY

So now, in Christ we are made new! We are part of a new creation, BUT! We still live in this old one, and we still have remaining, powerful sin in our hearts.

So back in Philippians, if you look up at chapter 1 verse 27, this section is all about letting our manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. We are to live worthy of the great privilege we have received.

The cost was paid, but we didn’t pay it, we couldn’t pay it,

IN Christ we receive, not death, but eternal life, we reign with him, that is our PRIVILEGE. Sons and daughters of God!

So what do we do with that? We are STAND FIRM in the Gospel, striving together for the gospel, we are not to be afraid… for Christ has called us (vs 29) not only to believe but also to suffer for his sake.

Life is going to be hard… so Paul starts our passages (chapter 2) with an IF/ THEN statement. IF this is true then…

If this joy is real then… so let’s start with the if side first, is this real?

Philippians 2:1 (ESV) — 1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

A. Question, have you received this joy?

Is any of this real for you? the story is not about you, but you have a place in this story, if you believe. So, is this real for you? IS there any encouragement in Christ?.

Christian? Is there encouragement for you? Is there any comfort from Love? Christian do you know the comfort of Christ’s love? are you abiding with Christ and knowing his nearness?

Is the spirit working in you? Any participation any fellowship? Is there any affection or sympathy – IS GOD DOING ANYTHING! IS IT REAL? Have you received the JOY? Is there any consequence?

Maybe it’s little, maybe it’s dull, but see it if it is there.

Paul’s point here is that CHRIST’S STORY IS NOT ABOUT YOU, but if you believe, if you are united with CHRIST:

you cannot help but be changed,

you cannot help but be impacted,

you cannot help BUT be transformed! JOY HAS COME!

BECAUSE THIS AMAZING STORY IS REAL! The KING has COME! WITH POWER TO REALLY SAVE!

So, if you believe this story, but don’t change, don’t repent, don’t know Christ’s joy, then consider have you really met the living Christ - creator of the universe?

Or are you are sitting around a plastic baby Jesus on your front lawn, you like the pageantry, maybe you like church and structure. Maybe you like to feel good about yourself.

That is not the joy.

Christ didn’t die so you could enjoy structure and feel good about yourself. HE DIED to make you his.

He died to wipe away your sins and bring you into his JOY—the heart satisfaction that is deeper than words, the joy of being right with God and loved by him that MOVES US TO LIVE FOR HIM!

If the trappings have gotten in the way of the JOY, CRY OUT TO JESUS, don’t be satisfied with Christmas lights, or a service, those are good things.

Friends, don’t be satisfied with the bread and juice of communion. If those don’t point you to the living CHRIST so your soul can be satisfied in him, they are nothing! ONLY CHRIST BRINGS INTO HIS JOY!

The price has been paid! Beloved, is it real? Is it real for you?

If there is a resounding YES exploding from your heart, Praise GOD, let’s keep going…

or a quiet deep YES, echoing through your sorrow.. praise God, let’s keep going…

but if there is not. STOP NOW and cry out to GOD IN YOUR HEART… SAVE ME. if you’re not sure, cry out SAVE ME… LOOK TO JESUS! Believe on him - let go of the Plastic fakes, and find the living CHRIST and don’t stop until you’ve found him!

But if there is a YES, Paul gives us a goal…

B. GOAL

Paul assumes that it is real, that Christ’s powerful salvation has touched many of his readers, so he goes on with a Goal. To live worthy of the Gospel, standing and striving for the gospel…

Philippians 2:2 (ESV) — 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

The Apostle Paul says, complete my joy, his joy in Christ is completed when others are growing. And Paul describes that in the language of unity … the GOAL is to be of the SAME MIND (towards Christ)

SAME LOVE (For CHRIST) being in FULL ACCORD and of ONE MIND. Not about everything, Paul writes often about all the ways we disagree about the minutiae, about applying the gospel, or interpreting specific passages, BUT WE ARE TO BE AGREED about CHRIST!

Our love for Christ and his power drives us to agree and be of one mind about him! He is the King of the universe, he and only he can make all things right! So we STAND FIRM in HIM! and we STRIVE TOGETHER FOR HIM!

This is what church unity looks like. Filled with the love of Christ and his truth, experiencing his love, convinced of his love, standing firm in his truth.

There are so many difficulties today. And there were difficulties in Paul’s day, too. (that’s why he wrote about it so much!!)

Disagreements pull against unity. Some are real, people abandon the truth of Christ and his word, and we have to work through that, apply this truth in our context but this is the GOAL God sets before us in these words.

If the GOSPEL IS true, the Paul calls us to strive to live out the UNITY that CHRIST purchased for us. We are one in Christ – every Christian – as hard as it is, and even when there are real practical reasons that we can’t worship together – still this is the GOAL. This was Jesus’ desire for us before he died.

John 17:20–23 (ESV) — 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

We are One in Christ. Spiritually, but the world won’t know that unless we live it out. UNLESS IT IS REAL. And in our UNITY the world knows GOD really Sent Christ, and the LOVE IS REAL. THAT IS THE GOAL.

C. PATTERN

How can we live this way in unity when you are all so wrong? And you are all jerks? And you get on my nerves, and you have what I want?

Philippians 2:3–5 (ESV) — 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Christ is our pattern. Christ gave up everything to pay the price of our life with him – our unity and joy.

And THAT life in Christ is worth everything. Remember Christ’s parable about the treasure hidden in the field, or the pearl of great price. Sell everything to get it! Life in the kingdom is worth everything, so let go of clinging to this life and receive the treasure that last forever in CHRIST. Receive eternal life!

So as Christ gave up everything, in order to GIVE us everything, he calls us to give up everything for him and then each other.

THEN the GOSPEL Life is—most basically—living like you have everything. LIVE LIKE IT! Is it real? Is there a consequence!?

IF you have everything in Christ you don’t have to live out of selfish ambition. You don’t have to worry about getting more for you, with all that stress and emotion and fear leading to sin… It’s all been given to you – you can’t get more! Don’t take, just go do good!

you don’t have to put yourself over others, you’ve been exalted with Christ – you can’t get any higher! Go, live for him!

Follow the pattern of Christ.

John 13:34–35 (ESV) — 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

GO and love each other. This is the CONSEQUENCE of our JOY in this life. If it is real, we live GOSPEL LIVES loving each other in unity. Striving together for the GOSPEL to make Jesus Known in this world.

Our love, our unity, displays the reality of Christ to the world.

That baby born in a stable, more than 2000 years ago, so unremarkable from the world’s standpoint – was in reality – the unimaginable invasion of God breaking into his own creation, to buy back his rebellious children, GIVING UP EVEN HIS LIFE

So we could live and we could be one with him and each other!

That is the JOY of the world. The King has come. That JOY is full of consequence – open your eyes to see the reality, beauty and wisdom of this great salvation. See the reality of this JOY and what it really means for you.

Then, beloved, take up your cross and follow Christ, let’s follow Christ together – loving and forgiving each other to show this world the reality and power of our beloved savior!

Believe on Christ, find his forgiveness and life, and let’s live for him! there is our joy.

PRAY

Sing: Go Tell It On the Mountain

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NASB95) — 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.