Bah Humbug!
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· 3 views3rd Sunday in Advent is Joy. Joy is the motivator that pushes us through the slump to the finish line. Joy is the emotion that springs us to action. Joy is the praise of the soul to an awesome God.
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Advent 1: Jesus Is Our Hope
Advent 1: Jesus Is Our Hope
Hope - Remembering the promises and prophecies of God in regards to His First and Second Coming
Israel’s hope appeared dead after 400 years of God being silent, but after a promise God made to Zechariah and Elizabeth, hope sprang back to life, because even though hope appeared dead, God gives life to the dead.
The Promise of Jesus is Our Hope
Advent 2: Jesus Is Our Peace
Advent 2: Jesus Is Our Peace
Peace - the state of mind and heart that says, “No matter what comes my way, I can rest securely in the hands of Jesus. What is out of my control is in the control of Jesus!
Resting In Jesus is our Peace!
Advent 3: Jesus is Our Joy
Advent 3: Jesus is Our Joy
Joy -
The purple of the candles is the color of penitence and fasting as well as the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King.
The purple of Advent is also the color of suffering used during Lent and Holy Week. This points to an important connection between Jesus’ birth and death.
The nativity, the Incarnation, cannot be separated from the crucifixion. The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world, of the "Word made flesh" and dwelling among us, is to reveal God and His grace to the world through Jesus’ life and teaching, but also through his suffering, death, and resurrection.
To reflect this emphasis, originally Advent was a time of penitence and fasting, much as the Season of Lent and so shared the color of Lent.
In the four weeks of Advent the third Sunday came to be a time of rejoicing that the fasting was almost over. The shift from the purple of the Season to pink or rose for the third Sunday reflects this lessening emphasis on penitence and turns our attention to the celebration and JOY of the season.
As we look forward with HOPE in seeing the King of PEACE break forth upon the world’s scene in His Second Coming, we are thankful once again that His first coming paved the way for God’s JOY to fill our hearts because of what He did for us.
We owed a debt we could not pay. So, He paid the debt that He did not owe, in order that we could receive the forgiveness we did not deserve. And that should cause us to rejoice.
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan— The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
The Light of Jesus is Our Joy
The Light of Jesus is Our Joy
Bah! Humbug!
Bah! Humbug!
Humbug means a hoax or a befooling trick, especially any thing which is not really what it pretends to be.
Scrooge thinks Christmas is a Humbug. He thinks that Christmas just tricks people into feeling cheerful and thankful when they really don’t have anything to feel cheerful about or thankful for.
When his nephew Fred comes to visit and invite Scrooge over for Christmas dinner, he walks in the door and says, “Merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!”
To which Scrooge replies: “Bah! Humbug!”
He tells his nephew Fred, “What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.”
If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with a ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.’”
What Hinders Our Joy?
What Hinders Our Joy?
The Opposite of Joy Is Not Sadness, But Rather Fear
Sin – We’re afraid of God’s judgment
Doubt – We’re afraid God will abandon us.
Worry – We’re afraid God’s not going to provide for us.
Regret – We’re afraid that we made the wrong decisions in life.
Jacob Marley - No rest, no peace, incessant torture of remorse.
Psalm 51:11–12 (NASB95)
Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.
All these reasons can put us into a season of darkness, of silence.
How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Babylonian Captivity
400 silent years
What Is Joy?
What Is Joy?
Joy is not just feeling happy. Joy is a state of being that runs deeper than just an emotional response to one’s present circumstances.
Joy allows us to be content with whatever our circumstances may be.
Joy helps us look beyond the circumstances to the bigger picture of what is to come.
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Joy is a spiritual state of finding satisfaction in God.
John Piper says it this way: God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.
Last week we looked at 3 things that Mary put her faith in and these things brought her joy!
And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
God’s Work - What He has done
God’s Word - What He will do
God’s Way - How He will do it - remembering His faithful lovingkindness
Joy is a choice we make to put our faith in and focus on God. It is a choice to pursue Him and make Him a priority. Why? Because when we pursue Him we are pursuing love, joy, and peace.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Why Is The Joy Of The Lord Our Strength ? (2:8-20)
Why Is The Joy Of The Lord Our Strength ? (2:8-20)
Keeping watch over their flock by night. (vs. 8)
Shepherds
Shepherds shady reputation – untrustworthy / thieves
Shepherds occupation made them unclean
Shepherds outcasts of society
Night
darkness
sin
separation
Suddenly, the angel appears and the glory of the Lord shone around them. doxa - shekinah. (vs. 9)
The day of reckoning...
But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
fear
Do not be Afraid!! (vs. 10)
I am breaking into the Darkness!
But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.
I am breaking my Silence! - Angel army (vs. 13)
The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies. “I have kept silent for a long time, I have kept still and restrained Myself. Now like a woman in labor I will groan, I will both gasp and pant.
I am bringing Good News!
How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, They shout joyfully together; For they will see with their own eyes When the Lord restores Zion. Break forth, shout joyfully together, You waste places of Jerusalem; For the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared His holy arm In the sight of all the nations, That all the ends of the earth may see The salvation of our God.
This news will bring Great Joy!
I Bring You:
The Good News is For You! (vs 10)
For Everyone
This battle cry did not grace the halls of the palace.
This battle cry did not fill the sanctuary of the temple.
This battle cry did not come to a military general.
It came to the nobody, the outcast, the sinner.
The Baby Born is For You: (vs 11)
This is a personal message. It is for you!
Today: Prophecy has been fulfilled. In other words, God had proven Himself to be faithful. He made good on His promises.
In the city of David: Reminder of the Davidic Covenant
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
The Messiah is For You: (vs 11)
Christ, The Lord: The Messiah, The Anointed One, Deity – The Glorious Coming One, The King, The Emperor, the Supreme Ruler
A Savior: (vs 11, 14)
Versus Caesar Augustus who claimed to be the savior of the world
Instead of the Roman army, we have an angelic army.
There is a Savior who will bring everlasting peace!
Man can finally bring pleasure to God once again.
There Is A Sign For You: (vs. 12)
Baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger - an animal feeding trough!
Humble beginnings
Perfect for a shepherd to relate to
Ultimately joy comes because of our Immanuel, with us, GOD.
God comes and meets us where we are!
We don’t have to climb to Him, He comes down to us.
All religion is is man trying to climb to God. It’s man trying to earn his way in hopes he’s done enough.
But just like the shepherds, we’re so broken, sometimes we think, what’s the point. I’m never going to get there.
God breaks through the darkness and the silence!
What About You?
What About You?
Helping break the fear in people’s lives!
The Good News Is For You!!!!!
Sin – Share With Them The Good News
The Good News: He’s our Savior
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
“I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.
Doubt – Encourage Them With The Good News.
The Good News: He’s Our Immanuel
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Worry – Exhort Them With The Good News:
The Good News: He’s Our King - born for you…sign for you...
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Regret –Comfort Them With The Good News:
The Good News: He is Our Peace
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Seasons of Silence – Remind Them Of The Good News:
The Good News: He is our Victory! The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength!
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet, Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, And her salvation like a torch that is burning.
After Scrooge’s visit by the three ghosts and his change of heart, he wakes up Christmas morning a changed person, and exclaims,
“I don’t know what to do!” cried Scrooge, laughing and crying in the same breath; and making a perfect Laocoön of himself with his stockings. “I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy. I am as giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to all the world.
Find your joy and contentment in God and His Good News through Jesus Christ. God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.
Song: Joy Has Dawned / The House Of The Lord.