Advent 2023, Surprised by Joy
Victory Life Church, Sherman — Sunday, December 17, 2023
Joy is primarily a relational connection.
Psalm 16:11 (ESV) You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Joy is the natural response to something good.
Isaiah 52:7-8 (ESV) How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion.
Joy is grounded in the reality of God’s character, presence, and action.
Joy is nurtured by remembering and anticipating.
Psalms 126:1-3 (NLT) When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!
Joy is nurtured by remembering God’s faithfulness with gratitude.
Joy is nurtured by remembering and anticipating God’s faithfulness.
Psalms 126:4-6 (NLT) Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
Joy is nurtured by anticipating God’s faithfulness with trust.
Psalms 126:5 (NLT) Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.
All pain, all suffering, all disappointment is seed: plant it in God and He will one day bring a crop of joy.
Revelation 21:1–4 (ESV) 1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Joy can be present in the midst of pain and suffering because God is present.
Isaiah 52:7-8 (ESV) How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion.
Experiencing Joy is not because of ignorance, naivety, or pretension, but comes from the confident assurance in the character, presence, and faithfulness of God.
Luke 2:6-11 (ESV) And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Joy comes from the confident assurance in the character, presence, and faithfulness of God, as seen in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 126:4-6 (MSG) And now, God, do it again— bring rains to our drought-stricken lives So those who planted their crops in despair will shout “Yes!” at the harvest, So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.
Romans 15:13 (TPT) Now may God, the fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!