Advent of Joy
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Today we will see how hope and peace are connected to Joy. So what is joy? Why does it seem to be so lacking in our faith and in our hearts? Today we continue our Advent series entitled “The Promise”. Today we investigate the promise of Joy.
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John Henry Newman wrote perceptively: “ ‘These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.’ What is fulness of joy but peace? Joy is tumultuous only when it is not full; but peace is the privilege of those who are ‘filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.’ ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee.’ ”
As hope is connected with peace. Peace is connected with joy.
So then what is this promise of joy?
It is interesting that the first mention of Joy in the N.T. is associated with the coming messiah.
14 There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth.
Christ and Joy are the themes by which the New testament begins.
10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy.
In this the authors are setting the foundation for the rest of the New Testament. Faith and Joy are primary themes by which much of the new testament rest upon.
New Testament Sermon Starters What Kind of Joy Do You Want?
In Greek the verb for “rejoice” is chaírō (Phil. 3:1; 4:4; Col. 1:24; 1 Thess. 3:9; 5:16) and the noun is chará, “joy” (John 15:11; 16:20; Col. 1:11; 1 Thess. 1:6; 3:9).
1. Both words are related to cháris, “grace.” The permanence of joy as a quality of life is only possible as a result of the appropriation of the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Then throughout the rest of the New testament joy is associated with a pursuit.
So the access to joy has at its beginning with the arrival of Christ and then is pursued on the same path on which every Christian should walk.
Joy is not static meaning it doesn’t stay the same, but grows as we follow God.
Joy is not static meaning it doesn’t stay the same, but grows as we follow God.
I. Joy is both given and pursued.
I. Joy is both given and pursued.
When is the last time you have intentionally pursued joy. I mean really ordered your life around its pursuit?
I would argue that instead of pursuing Joy many of us actively fight against having Joy.
This may sound crazy but how many of us spend a great deal of time pursuing anxiousness? We read every bad piece of news that comes our way. Sometimes, We pursue careers not for the Joy of it, but because the fear of failure or having less is unbearable. Sometimes we pursue service for the fear that God’s anger isn’t truly satisfied so to make up for it we pursue works.
How much of our lives is spent pursuing solutions to our fears as opposed to pursuing the Joy Jesus has given?
Ultimately why do we live this way?
1. We believe the lie pursuing God will not bring Joy.
1. We believe the lie pursuing God will not bring Joy.
In fact, we believe the opposite. We believe we need to control our lives in a world that is uncontrollable. This is an exercise in futility. Most of the circumstances we face in this world are out of our control yet we desperately try to hold onto our lives like a child trying to hold onto a handful of water.
We create for ourselves anxiety, stress, and suppress the very joy we were created in Christ Jesus to have.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Why? because when we release our control of our lives their is freedom from worry, fear, and stress. Because now the burden of controlling life’s circumstance , (of which i cannot control anyway) is no longer my burden. I can check out from worrying about where I am going and what is in store for me.
How many of you have ever been in charge of planning of planning? Maybe its the year Christmas is at your house or your turn to plan the office party, church event, or manage a project at work or a group of volunteers. Now I want you to compare the times you were in charge of things to the times you were not. You know when you simply get to show up.
Which brings more stress and anxiety? Being in charge of everything or being a participant?
I have the creator of the world guiding my path.
11 You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.
When we refuse to release control, we sabotage the very Joy in which God has made available to us through Christ. The peace that makes Joy possible comes from resting in his plan both in the salvation of our souls but also in everyday life.
2. We believe the lie that joy begins where struggle ends.
2. We believe the lie that joy begins where struggle ends.
Did you know that whatever your circumstances that you can have joy right now? I mean really you can have joy in the middle of struggle.
Jesus came to earth to die because of joy.
2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
When we pursue Christ we are pursuing Joy.
Joy is not static but is a pursuit. When we pursue Christ we pursue Joy. The problem comes in that we do not fully pursue Christ. We pursue with vigor many other things.
10,000 Sermon Illustrations Too Easily Pleased
C. S. Lewis gave us the following insight:
Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition, when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.
I have never met a person that pursues his own interest that at the end of his/her pursuit has found Joy. The sad part is many of us are far too consumed with this world to ever be filled with Joy.
God designed us for Joy. He has given access to it but some will go on ignoring its path.
There is more than one account of men wandering around the wilderness for days with a compass in their pocket. When asked why they didn’t use it. Their response was I thought I knew where I was going. When the compass pointed me in a different direction, I didn’t trust it. This is the height of pride.
We wander around the wilderness of our own making with a compass in our pocket pointing toward joy. Yet we in our pride refuse to trust it. We think we know better....
Listen to these verses on Joy.
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy,
24 Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
Who has sold us the lie that that happiness, peace , and contentment joy are found in other places than knowing the God of the universe and resting in his plan?
If I were to ask
Can you honestly say that in your life right now you are overflowing with Joy?
2. Joy comes from a relationship with Christ.
2. Joy comes from a relationship with Christ.
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Notice that Joy and peace come from belief.
No amount of trying to force yourself to believe the promises of God is going to work. We don’t trust God because we don’t know him very well. I am not saying you have not been redeemed, but rather you have not taken the time to develop a true relationship with him.
So many of us are living in anxiety and discouragement while our bibles collect dust and our prayers are a laundry list of needs and wants instead of honest conversation with the Lord about our lives.
Joy only comes through knowing and experiencing a true relationship with God.
Maybe you here today and your thinking this all sounds too good to be true? The pursuit of Joy begins with knowing Jesus. Why was Jesus birth such a joy-filled occasion because the plan to redeem man from their sins through Jesus Christ has begun. Finally man could have what we have always wanted and needed wether we knew it or not, a relationship with God.