Bring on the Joy

Advent • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

0 ratings

· 3 views

Trials, Pain, and adversity in life should be welcome friends in the life of a Christian because of the Joy inside our hearts as a result of the Salvation purchased for us by our Lord Jesus.

Notes

Transcript

Handout

Luke 2:8–10 (ESV)

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

I. The Advent Journey

It seems to me like the advent themes seem to be progressive states that a believer goes through.

Being a lost person they find HOPE in Jesus that there is something better than this life/ this world has to offer. Which brings PEACE to the troubled soul that can now calm its worries about their sins and eternity. That produces JOY which sustains us while we linger in this world because of the security we find in suffering for Jesus’ sake. Which we gladly do now because we LOVE our neighbor as we love ourselves. All of this displayed perfectly in CHRIST, who is our HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE forever and ever!

Definition- Lexham Bible Dictionary

JOY - Closely related to gladness and happiness, although joy is more a state of being than an emotion; a result of choice.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Biblical Relevance)

Biblical Relevance

In the Old Testament, joy is closely related to victory over one’s enemies.

In the New Testament, “joy” is still used for victory, However, the victory focuses more on salvation (Luke 15:7)—the presence of Christ, the bridegroom, gives reason for joy (John 3:29)

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.

1 Peter 1:17–21 (ESV)

17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

We must expect trial because trial is the element of faith. Faith without trial is like a diamond uncut, the brilliance of which has never been seen. A fish without water or a bird without air is faith without trial.- Charles Spurgeon.

II. Christ’s Joy (1 Peter 1:17-19)

Was to do His Father’s Will!!

Doing the will of God is not easy. We have been leaning this the last couple of Wed. nights with the students. Jesus when it came down to it and the cross was near asked if there was another way. But ultimately God’s will was done because of His obedience.

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.

We see here in this section the lengths that it took to redeem mankind to the Father. You were ransomed!

“Redemption was a technical term for money paid to buy back a prisoner of was. Here it is used of the price paid to buy the freedom of a person in the bondage of sin and under the curse of the law. The price paid to a holy God was the shed blood of his own son.- John McArthur

A. The cross

When Jesus miraculous entered this world on that Christmas night, the cross was already on His mind. He knew that in order to reunited and to have a relationship with the ones He loved, He would have to make a way. Knowing full well what lengths that would take to redeem us; it was pure joy for Him. Just the thought of what that meant for His creation encouraged Him to carry on. Then on the cross being so full of Joy and love for us, even prayed for His tormentors. US!! Because it was Joy to redeem those who he loved. IT WAS WORTH IT TO HIM!!!

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.

B. Salvation

Because of the Cross the path has been made for Salvation. Christ’s joy is made full when the work of the cross was finished.

Titus 2:14 (ESV)

14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Christ’s joy is made complete in us when we take part in His work.

III. A Christian’s Joy (1 Peter 1:20-21)

1 Peter 1:20–21 (ESV)

20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

A Christian’s Joy is to be like His Savior! Our Joy in in His salvation. We should be willing to face any suffering for His sake.

We see in these last two verses God’s plan that was set in motion before time began. He knew we would need a Savior. And Jesus paid for our redemption through suffering. And it was worth it. During the time period between His appearances here on earth, God knew that the Joy of knowing our salvation being secure would and does sustain His children through anything they encounter.

A. Salvation

Like Titus was telling us, It is upon salvation that the Spirit us to be zealous for the things of God. Because that’s what Jesus was “zealous” for. There is a change that happens inside of us. When the Holy Spirit compels us the accept Jesus for who He says He is (Lord, Master, Savior, Perfect, Sacrifice, our Replacement) all because of Love. It is in that moment of full realization of His Love for you and me that we accept or deny Him. And for the one who truly accepts Him in your heart, you respond in Love back to Him. And His ways start to become your ways, and His thoughts start to become your thoughts. And everything you thought you were, what you wanted, starts to fade away. All that is left is the Joy of His salvation that has been gifted to you.

B. The Cross

James 1:2–4 (ESV)

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

We shouldn’t expect our life to be without troubles. Can you name any Bible story where the ones involved weren’t faced with some extraordinary trial. Why should be count ourselves any different?

I would challenge anyone to look through the Bible and find anyone that followed God’s way that had it easy.

· Job– lost his wife, kids, home, money, and even health because he followed God’s way.

· Noah– spent years building a boat and was ridiculed by others for doing so.

· Moses– spent 40 years wandering in the desert while people complained to him and he never got to go into the Promised Land.

· Disciples– almost all of them were martyred.

· Paul– was beaten, tortured, stoned and left for dead, shipwrecked, ran out of towns.

*Jeff Tapp-DYM

Hebrews 11:24–26 (ESV)

24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

IV. Apply this.

Romans 8:18 (ESV)

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Job‘s journey *

Troubles and trials are JOY because it’s how Christ is seen in me.

How much of Christ is seen in me when it gets tough?

If my life is in right standing with Jesus....

BRING IT ON!