Sunday, December 13, 2020
"JOY" sermon by Pastor Daniel Mills
A Fading Joy
“Things like sex, power, money, and success—as well as favorable circumstances—act like spiritual sugar. Christians who have these spiritual candies may say, ‘Sure, I believe in God and I know I'm going to heaven,’ but they're actually basing their day-to-day joy on favorable circumstances. When the circumstances change, it drives us to God, because when the sugar disappears, when the candy gets taken away, we're forced to pursue the feast that our souls really crave. We'll hunger for the spiritual nutrients we really need.” –Timothy Keller
Reasons to be Joyful during Advent
1. The enemy is defeated
Matthew 2:3-4 – King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
Matthew 2:16 – Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.
Psalm 118:15 – Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
1 Corinthians 15:57 – But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ
2. The Lord will fulfill his word
Luke 2:28-30 – Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation”
Psalm 119:162 – I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.
Romans 15:13 – I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. In difficult, hard, and impossible situations we joyfully surrender to his will
Luke 1:47 – How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
Luke 1:49 – For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.
Psalm 16:11 – You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
4. Jesus has come!
Matthew 2:9-10 – And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
Luke 2:10-11 – I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
John 15:11 – I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
Habakkuk 3:17-18 – Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
“Even though we are in lockdown, and there are no physical Christmas gatherings; even though I’m feeling isolated and distanced from family and friends; even though my Christmas celebrations are looking empty and barren; even though more people are getting sick and dying, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” -Daniel's Covid Version
