Great Joy
Text: Luke 2:8-20
Introduction:
¨
Christmas,
while a time of joy, is also a time of grief and misery for many
¨
More
suicides at this time. Misery is compounded
when you see others happy and yourself sad.
Misery multiplies when you feel like you can’t provide what others are
giving to their families
¨
Time
of political war, national war
¨ God wants us all to have joy
and has provided a way to rise above the human condition and circumstances. Thus, the angel could announce, “I bring
unto to you tidings of great joy…”
I. The Scope of God’s Great Joy
A.
Universal: “All
People”
1.
Not just the elect
a)
“For God so loved the world…”
b)
“For whosoever shall call upon…”
2.
Not just the Jews
a)
The wisemen were Gentiles
b)
“To the Jew first, but also to the Gentile”
3.
Not just the religious or righteous
a)
For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance
b)
Savior for sinners
c)
Not a politician, educator, reformer
4.
Not just the rich
a)
The announcement was to shepherds
b)
The birth was to common people, Mary and Joseph
B.
Personal: “Unto you…”
1.
Personal Invitation
a)
“Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden…”
b)
2.
Personal decision
a)
You can’t ride your parent’s coat tails
b)
You aren’t a Christian all your life because you were raised
in church
3.
Personal relationship
II. Getting (Obtaining) God’s Great Joy
A.
“Glory to God”
1.
Purpose for our creation was to bring God glory
a)
Not for our own benefit
b)
Not that God was lonely
c)
Not that God was bored
d)
True joy comes only in fulfilling God’s purpose for your life
2.
1 Cor. 10:31
a)
The angels praised God at Creation (Job 38:7), and now
they praised Him at the beginning of the new creation. The whole purpose of the
plan of salvation is “glory to God” (see Eph. 1:6, 12, 14).
b)
God’s glory had dwelt in the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34) and
in the temple (2 Chron. 7:1-3), but had departed because of the nation’s sin (1
Sam. 4:21; Ezek. 8:4; 9:3; 10:4, 18; 11:22-23).
c)
Now God’s glory was returning to earth in the person of
His Son (John 1:14). That lowly manger was a holy of holies because Jesus was
there!
B.
Obedience (Responding by faith)
1.
Shepherds responded immediately to the announcement by going
to Bethlehem
a)
They left all for the most important
b)
They evidenced their faith by their actions
2.
Wisemen responded by travelling to Israel
3.
Mary responded by “be it unto me according to thy word.”
C.
Witnessing
1.
Luke 2:17, 20
“Shepherds told everyone.”
2.
Psalm 126:5 “Sow in
tears shall reap in joy.”
3.
Luke 15:7, 10 “Joy in
the presence of the angels over one sinner that repenteth.”
D.
Abiding
1.
Psalm 16:11 “…in thy
presence is joy.”
2.
3 John 4 “no greater
joy than that my children walk in truth.”
3.
Luke 8:13
In the parable of the sower,
there are those who have a temporary joy, who received the word with joy but do
not continue in it
4.
Psalm 51:8
Joy comes from renewing a
right relationship with God. Implies
that joy is lost by sin.
5.
Gal. 5:22
It is a fruit of the Spirit
which grows as we abide in Christ.
III. Benefits of God’s Great Joy
A.
Peace
1.
With God
a)
Pax Romana was not
enough to calm men’s hearts
The
Stoic philosopher Epictetus said, “While the emperor may give peace from war on
land and sea, he is unable to give peace from passion, grief, and envy. He
cannot give peace of heart for which man yearns more than even for outward
peace.”
b)
Man is at enmity with God
2.
Of God
3.
Among Men
Can’t
have this without peace with God. Man
will not bring about peace on earth.
Peace on earth will be achieved when Christ returns and brings peace.
B.
Good will toward men
Conclusion:
Shepherds
As Our Example
·
They
searched
à
The verb found
in Luke 2:16 means “found after a search.” The shepherds knew what to look for:
a newborn baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And they
found Him!
à
God gave them enough info. To know what to look for, but
did not give them all of the details.
This is a test of faith.
·
They
responded in Obedience
à
They received by faith the message God sent them and
then responded with immediate obedience.
·
They
Witnessed
à
After finding the Baby, they reported the good news to
others, “glorifying and praising God.” They
took the place of the
angels! (Luke 2:13-14)
·
They
Carried On
à
Then they humbly returned to their duties, new men going
back to the same old job.