A Theology of Joy

Preached by Gustavo Barros at Gospel Fellowship Community Church Salem

Hebrews 10:32-35 32 And/But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, for you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.  35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

Introduction:

Blaise Pascal once said, “All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end…This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves.”  Why do people commit suicide? Why do people become addicted to drugs? They want somehow to end their pains and hurts. And why do they want to end the momentary pain so badly? Because there is nothing in their lives greater than that momentary pain.

They have no hope, therefore they have no joy (Rom 5:2 and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God; 12:12 Rejoice in hope).

Since they have no joy, they have nothing greater than the momentary hurts and pains, for joy is greater than sufferings (Rom 5:4 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings; Col 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings).

Since this world has no true/Biblical/Christian hope the people build their joy and happiness on material, physical, and temporary things. And when these material and temporary things are gone (and they will be gone) depression, frustration, and anger take over.

Depression is the disease of our day. “It [depression] affects around 120 million people worldwide and causes over 850,000 deaths a year. These depression statistics make it quite clear that the disorder can be one of the most serious conditions that has plagued us. The depression statistics in 2012 has been quite constant but based on today’s lifestyle and the move towards a faster paced life; it is likely that these numbers could increase. Based on depression statistics in America, around 1 in 10 people suffer from the symptoms associated with the disorder at some point in their life. This is a scary statistic indeed.” (http://www.depressionhelps.com/depression-statistics/)

Even pets, like dogs and cats, have medication and treatment for depression.

Here is how the Oxford Dictionary describes medical depression: a mental condition characterized by severe feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy, typically accompanied by a lack of energy and interest in life. Other places describe it as a medical illness that causes a persistent feeling of sadness.

We live in a world that has no hope and no joy. It is a joyless place with joyless people, with depressing and depressed people.

So what a wonderful time is Christmas to remind the Christians and proclaim to unbelievers that there is only one thing and one Person that can bring true joy to our lives – the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them [the shepherds], "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people." 

As Christians we must be the first ones to show that the goal/purpose of Christmas is not spending money with more stuff, but demonstrating that our joy is in Christ and in Christ alone. Why do you long for Christmas? Why do you like Christmas? I hope you long for this season so that you are reminded that your joy is not here but in Christ and in the salvation he has given to us.

Context of Hebrews:

The Book of Hebrews is one of the most precious and important books in the Bible. No other book shows the Superiority and Greatness of Jesus as this book does. This is the best Christ-centered commentary on the Old Testament!

The Book of Hebrews is a letter written to churches in which the majority of the members came from a Jewish background (that is why the name Hebrews – the Hebrew nation). This letter is actually a sermon – a sermonic letter. See 13:22

The churches to which this sermonic letter was written were suffering persecutions. Most of the churchgoers were coming from a Jewish background and a lot of them were going back to the Jewish religion in order to avoid suffering. So the author (who probably was Apollos) writes this magnificent sermon showing the greatness of Christ, how He is greater than the Old Testament shadows and because of His greatness and superiority the believers must go all the way enduring persecution and sufferings, for our reward in heaven is greater than these things. He not only exhorts and encourages the believers to remain faithful, but the author also warns about the terrible thing of going to church, experiencing the benefits and wonderful things that the church provides and then turning your back to Christ.

His goal is to make it clear that Jesus Christ is the Most Excellent One and when they see Christ as the greatest treasure in their lives they will be able to overcome sufferings and persecutions.

May the Lord use this wonderful letter about the greatness of Christ to increase and awaken our joy.

Outline:

I – what true joy is

II – the foundation of true joy

iii – who can have this joy

I – WHAT TRUE JOY IS

32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, for you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

The author of this letter continues his exhortation to these people. Verse 32 is the continuation of the exhortation that started in verse 26.

V.32 – “BUT RECALL/REMEMBER THE FORMER DAYS”--- The author of the letter is exhorting his audience to bring to mind [Gk. ἀναμιμνήσκω - carries idea of carefully thinking back and reconstructing something in one’s mind, not merely remembering] their early days.

“FORMER DAYS/EARLY DAYS” --- When they heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and understood how He was the Messiah. When they started being part of the Christian community.

“AFTER YOU WERE ENLIGHTENED/RECEIVED THE LIGHT” --- This is a very difficult statement, because it is used in 6:4 for those who had left the church and fallen in apostasy.

Armenians interpret this passage as referring to salvation. These people were saved and then they lost their salvation, but we know from other parts of the Bible that it is not true. A true Christian will not be separated from the love of Christ – he will not lose his salvation.

Among the Reformed people this statement is interpreted as having received head knowledge. Whenever the Gospel is preached the light shines. Whenever Christians get together the light of Christ shines. So it doesn’t mean saving knowledge but mental knowledge of the truths of the Gospel and contact with the Christian community.

In my opinion the best interpretation is that “to be enlightened” is that it means to be baptized. The Syriac Peshitta (and old New Testament version in Syriac) and Justin Martyr use this verb to refer to water baptism.

“The Greek text of Ps. 34:5 (LXX 33:6), ‘Come to him and be enlightened (φωτίζω)’, was early used in the Christian baptismal liturgy (it is probably reflected in 1 Pet. 2:4)” (F.F.Bruce, TNICNT-Hebrews, Eerdmans,pg 145)

These people were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. And what happened after being publicly identified with Jesus Christ?

“you endured [Hupomeno (perseverance – Rom 5:3) was a military term used of an army’s holding a vital position at all costs] a hard struggle with sufferings” --- That is what happened in the early church and that is what happens in most countries of the world. Once you publicly identify yourself with a crucified Lord people start hating you.

What types of struggles and suffering did they go through?

v.33 – “sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction” --- They were publicly exposed to all sorts of insults and aggressions (Gk. θεατρίζω - from theatron - our English word "theater" - it means to bring upon the stage, to set forth as a spectacle, and in this context to expose to contempt or derision. It is notable that common criminals were sometimes exposed and punished in the theater. Similar action was literally carried out in the case of Christians who were exposed to wild beasts in the Roman coliseum.)

“Their death … was made a matter of sport: they were covered in wild beasts’ skins and torn to pieces by dogs; or were fastened to crosses and set on fire in order to serve as torches by night when daylight failed” (Tacitus, Annals, xv.44).

Steven Cole said, “when someone from a strong Jewish family embraces Jesus as the Messiah, he often is made a spectacle-ridiculed and rejected by all of his friends and family”.

v.33 and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison

v.33 - “BEING PARTNERS WITH THOSE SO TREATED (ESV)/YOU STOOD SIDE BY SIDE (NIV)” --- The word used is κοινωνός. They had fellowship in sufferings.

What a contrast to so many of us who just want fellowship on Sundays with those who have no problems!

“These Jews were not persecuted only because they had renounced Judaism and embraced the New Testament, but because they became companions of their fellow-Jews who were being persecuted. These became co-sharers with other persecuted Jews in the sense of He 6:10-note. They helped others in a financial way when they lost their earthly belongings by reason of persecution. For this they were persecuted, for sympathizing with others who were persecuted” (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans).

v.34 – “For you had compassion [συμπαθέω - means to be affected similarly, to sympathize with, to suffer with, to feel for, to be compassionate toward] on those in prison” --- Some Christians went to prison because of their faith. Peter, John, Paul, Silas and so many others were arrested because of Christ. Unbelievers would create lies about Christians to get them in jail.

The prison system in those days was very different from today. The government did not provide food, clothes, and entertainment to the prisoners. It was the duty of family and close friends to bring food and clothes. The first century prisoner had no means of survival apart from the visits of friends who brought food, water, and clothing. But such visits placed the friends in some degree of danger, for they were associated with the criminals.

They were not visiting thieves, drug dealers, and child molesters, but brothers and sisters in Christ who had been arrested for their faith.

v.34 “and the plundering of your property /the confiscation of your property” --- These Christians left to visit other brothers and sisters, traveled to visit other Christians in jail, and when they got back their houses and material possessions were taken and destroyed.

καὶ τὴν ἁρπαγὴν τῶν ὑπαρχόντων ὑμῶν --- (Legally or by mob? We don’t know) They were robbed of their things. They were robbed of things that they had worked really hard to have, things that were precious for their family and survival.

HOW DID THEY RESPOND TO THE SUFFERINGS AND ILLEGAL PLUNDERING OF POSSESSIONS?

How did these Christians respond to all this? How did they receive the sufferings, humiliations, and the plundering of their properties?

v.34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property

Wow! They accepted the sufferings, the illegal accusations and illegal plundering of their material possessions with joy?

What do we do here in America? We sue! The first reaction of most of the people here is to get angry and look for a lawyer.

“Many modern Christians would rage at such unfair treatment and file a lawsuit to recover what they lost, plus damages for emotional suffering! But these new believers had such profound joy in knowing Christ that they sang the doxology as the mob hauled off their belongings and leveled their houses.” (http://preceptaustin.org/hebrews_1032-33.htm#10:32)

Let us suppose:

Let us suppose that after the service we go to the church parking lot and our cars have the windows broken, no tires, and bad words written on them (e.g. ‘Christians are racists! Christians hate homosexuals!’). Or imagine you go home after church and your house was robbed and your books, computers, guns, and clothes were taken from you. What is your first reaction? Most of us here would become really angry, others would get their guns and try to punish those who did those things and some would call the lawyer’s cell phone number immediately.

Few, very few of us [including myself] would rejoice as the first reaction! Very few people here would joyfully accept such horrible things!

How many of us would gather together to sing and pray? How many here would declare, “Whom have I in heaven but you”?

Why Don’t We Receive Losses and Sufferings with joy?

Why isn’t joy our first reaction? Why don’t we rejoice when people hate us and do terrible things to us?

Because our hearts are here. Because our treasures are here.

Our hope is not in spending eternity with Christ. Our joy is not in the presence of Christ.

We have become material and earthly-minded.

Most of the time we are hoping for earthly things.

Psalm 16:11 in your presence [the Lord’s presence] there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

But we don’t spend time in God’s presence! We spend time with the computer [internet, Facebook, Youtube …], sports, movies, people, books, but we are hardly ever in His presence and that is why we don’t rejoice when sufferings come upon us.

Acts 5:41 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

II Cor 7:4 In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy

James 1:2 2 Count it all joy, my brothers,2 when you meet trials of various kinds

Matthew 5:11-12  “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The question that is raised in view of these wonderful texts of the Bible is, what is joy?

Most of us have a superficial understanding of joy. The world and media around us say that Christmas is a “joyful” season, they say that such and such car and clothes bring you joy, and we see pictures of people smiling and being happy. But what is joy?

DEFINING THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF JOY:

It is important for us to stop here and define what true joy is. Some people might be thinking that these Christians here were laughing and being goofy during these terrible times.

Jesus did not ask us to crack jokes and be goofy when persecutions and sufferings come upon us, He told us to rejoice/be joyful!

As we read this passage in Hebrews 10 and many other passages in the New Testament we can see what true joy is NOT:

TRUE JOY IS NOT ABOUT:

Being silly

Cracking jokes

Laughing hysterically all the time

Being goofy

A mental game that denies pain and hurt/sufferings

A fake feeling

The Biblical concept of joy is deep and very different from the world’s concept.

DEFINITION: Christian joy [to delight and rejoice] is an [1]attitude of obedience in which by [2]God’s grace the believer holds strong to Jesus Christ, His work on the cross, and His promises as the [3]most valuable treasure in his life.

True joy is when Christians hold Jesus/God, the Father/Holy Spirit and His kingdom as so precious and so greater than anything else that everything else [cars, houses, blood relationship, guns, books, sports…] becomes inferior and loses the attractiveness.

True joy leads us to say, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom 8:18), or “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake” (Col 1:24).

True joy leads us to sing, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”

This joy leads the believer to overcome life’s trials and sufferings, having God glorified, and us being sanctified in this process.

[1] - JOY IS AN ATTITUDE OF OBEDIENCE:

Joy is not a feeling. There are feelings in joy. We can be sad, but joyful [the loss a child, wife]. We can be happy, but not joyful [superficiality].

To be joyful is not an option for Christians. It is not a good and nice counseling technique, it is not an opinion, or an input, but it is the obligation of every Christian!

God has commanded and demanded His children to rejoice and be joyful:

Dt 12:18 And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and your daughters; Ps 2:11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling [joy is not about being goofy in God’s presence. Joy requires fear]; Ps 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice let them ever sing for joy; Joel 2:23 “Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; Lk 10:20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven”; 1Th 5:16 Rejoice always; Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always

Most of the verbs are in the imperative form, showing that being joyful is a demand for Christians.

“It’s commanded because what is at stake is not just our joy but the glory, the honor and reputation of God. If we do not rejoice in God – if God is not our treasure and our delight and our satisfaction, then he his dishonored. His glory is belittled. His reputation is tarnished. Therefore God commands our joy both for our good and for his glory.” (John Piper - http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/quest-joy-found-christ)

I Jn 5:3 his commandments are not burdensome

His command for us to be joyful always is good for us! That is what Piper calls Christian Hedonism. We are called to be joyful and glad in Christ!

Christians cannot be sad, depressing, downcast, low spirited, hopeless people – we received Good News of Great Joy!

Lloyd-Jones once said, “Unhappy [without joy] Christians are, to say the least, a poor recommendation of the Christian faith”.

It is sinful to be known among people as a depressing and joy-stealer person.

[2] – JOY IS A GIFT OF GOD (GOD’S GRACE):

The Greek word for joy is the same word used for gift

Gk. χαρά (noun) and χαίρω (verb) – the Greek root of the word is completely related to the word grace.

True joy cannot be bought and cannot be achieved by your own efforts. It is a gift of God.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy --- it is a fruit of the Spirit.

We must ask for a joyful heart every day.

We must fight to keep a joyful heart every day. It is a present that requires our effort, just like salvation (a gift that requires our effort to put into practice).

How do we fight for joy?

Praying and asking God – Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

Meditating upon the Scriptures – Ps 119:111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart, 162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.

Putting every morning the armor of God.

Being in His presence – Psalm 16:11 in your presence [the Lord’s presence] there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Singing songs of praise!    Being around joyful people!

The world, the flesh, and Satan are fighting every moment and every second to take away our joy in Christ.

Let us ask for joy and fight for it!

II – THE FOUNDATION OF TRUE JOY

As we continue exploring the definition of joy we come to the foundation of true joy. The foundation is essential to understand true joy.

DEFINITION: Christian joy is an [1]attitude of obedience in which by [2]God’s grace the believer holds strong to Jesus Christ, His work on the cross and His promises as the [3]most valuable treasure in his life and .

[3] – JOY IS BEHOLDING CHRIST AND HIS PROMISES AS THE MOST VALUABLE TREASURE IN OUR LIVES:

Here we can go back to our passage in Hebrews.

Hebrews 10:32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, for you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

THE REASON WHY THEY ACCEPTED SUFFERINGS WITH JOY:

V.34 – “for you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions” ---

They knew what they believed! What you believe determines how you behave. And what you believe depends on what you know.

They had knowledge of the truth. And what truth did they have knowledge of?

That they “had better and lasting possessions” --- They knew what they had in Christ. Their hope was not in the things here.

They knew they had possessions that were:

1 – BETTER --- Gk. κρείττων - more excellent, greater. They knew they had in Christ things much more precious than houses, clothes, money, books, computers…

2 – LASTING/ETERNAL --- Gk. μένω - Something that stays, it is not taken away and it does not perish.

Andre Murray said that the better and abiding possession “is the love and grace of God. It is the eternal life within. It is Christ as our heart's treasure.”

Do you have better and lasting possessions? Do you have something better than money/gold, than houses/farms, cars…?

That is what the author of Hebrews has been trying to show, how Jesus Christ is better/more excellent than everything else and how His promises and blessings are abiding/eternal ones.

Hebrews 1:4 [Talking about Christ] After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior (κρείττων)to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs; 6:9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better (κρείττων) things—things that belong to salvation; 7:7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior, 19 for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. , 22-24 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently (μένω), because he continues forever; 8:6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better (κρείττων), since it is enacted on better (κρείττων) promises; 9:23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better (κρείττων) sacrifices than these; 11:16 But as it is, they [the heroes of faith] desire a better (κρείττων) country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city, 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better (κρείττων) life, 40 since God had provided something better (κρείττων) for us; 12:24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel; 12:27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain (μένω); He 13:14 For here we have no lasting (μένω) city, but we seek the city that is to come.

When we behold Jesus Christ as the best treasure in our lives, when the hope of glorification and eternity with our Lord become the true anchor of our soul, then we understand what it truly is to rejoice in the Lord.

Jesus Christ, the apostles, the early church and so many Christians around the world rejoice in the suffering, because they saw and see beyond what we see. We see things here and now, they saw and see things there and then!

Hebrews 11:24-26  24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin [there is a carnal and evil joy]. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

Moses compared the joy that the world offers and the joy that Christ offers and when he finished comparing he saw that suffering for Christ was a greater treasure than all the nice things that Egypt could offer. Moses was able to get to this conclusion because he was looking to the reward – eternity with the Savior!

THE FOUNDATION OF OUR JOY IS THE CERTAINTY OF OUR SALVATION:

Joy is completely related to hope.      No hope = no joy!

Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous brings joy; Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope; 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy

Do you have the hope of glory as the anchor of your soul?

Luke 6:22-23 “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.

Luke 10:19-20 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Is it true for you?

Is your joy built on these truths? Do you rejoice in your merciful election (that your name is written in heaven)?

Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Why would this man do that? Why would he be considered a fool by his friends? Why would he suffer reproach from his family? And how can he sell all that he has in joy?

Because he found a greater and better treasure!

Only when we hold Christ and His kingdom as the most precious treasure in our lives, only then we will be able to be radical, only then we will be able to shine the light of Christianity to the world.

Jesus’ invitations to follow Him were hard and harsh for many people:

Luke 14:33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

It is only when we have eyes to see the treasure hidden in the field – God’s saving presence in Christ – that we are able to renounce all and follow Christ with joy through the narrow road.

Our joy is not in prosperity here!

34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, for you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

The Lord allows us and wants us to enjoy His created things. He gives us properties, things to use (like cars, clothes…) and there is no problem at all in rejoicing and being happy with watching a good movie, or going hunting, building something, traveling or practicing sports.

The problem is when these things become the foundation of our joy. When running is my ultimate joy, what happens if I lose my legs? If being a mother is the ultimate source of my joy, what happens if I lose my children or cannot have babies?

We must be reminded that even though we have possessions here (especially in America), the abundance of things cannot be the source of our joy. We have better and abiding possessions in heaven.

“I conclude that rejoicing in the Father and the Son is essential to glorifying God… This truth should make us tremble at horror of not rejoicing in God. We should quake at the fearful lukewarmness of our hearts. We should waken to the truth that is a treacherous sin not to pursue our fullest satisfaction in God. There is one final word for finding delight in creation more than in the Creator: treason. What a motivation this should be to obey the demand of Jesus, ‘Rejoice…and leap for joy’.” (John Piper, What Jesus Demands from the World, Crossway, pg 90)

III – WHO CAN HAVE THIS JOY

The old Christmas hymn and many Christmas cards say, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come”.

We see all over the place [at the malls and TV commercials] people talking about the joy of Christmas.

But who is the “world?”    Do unbelievers partake in this joy? No!

The world is under depression. The joy of unbelievers is in the material and temporary things. They don’t rejoice in Christ. They hate Christ. They like the parties and drinking and eating of the Christmas season, but not the idea of God incarnating to save sinners from hell.

The meaning behind “joy to the world” is that people from all nations and races are now partakers of this wonderful salvation (Gentiles and Jews).

Unbelievers have no hope so they have no joy.

Unbelievers do not have the Holy Spirit so they don’t have true joy that is the fruit of the Spirit.

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit - Unbelievers do not belong to the Kingdom of God so they cannot have the joy of the Gospel.

During this time of the year when people are talking about joy, I pray that you may be reminded that the world (unbelievers) does not have true joy, and being reminded of that we must proclaim the “good news of great joy.”

What wonderful news we have – we have the treasure of all treasures!

CONCLUSION:

After seeing that to rejoice / be joyful is an attitude of obedience and that it is grounded on Christ as the more precious than any suffering or material possessions I hope that we may sing what Habakkuk sang:

Habakkuk 3:17-19  Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.

[It is a matter of obedience and understanding]

We take joy and rejoice in the God of our salvation, because Jesus Christ came and to be our greatest and most precious treasure and possession!

Why is Christmas season a time for joy for Christians? Because we are reminded that God loved us when we were His enemies [last sermon]. God loved us so much that He became flesh and died in our place. And He not only gave His Son but also gave us faith. And He gave us the Holy Spirit as the guarantee of our glorification – this is our hope. At Christmas we are reminded that we have hope and because of this hope we can rejoice always.

May the Lord help us to rejoice not in the gifts and food but in Christ!

May the gifts and things that we receive [or that we do not receive] this Christmas be a reminder that we have better and abiding possessions in Christ!

May the joy of being with friends and family be a reminder of how much more joy there is in Christ’s presence.

May we be reminded that this world needs the Good News of Great Joy brought by the advent of Christ.

“Should not the thought of the better substance on the other side of Jordan reconcile us to present losses? Our spending money we may lose, but our treasure is safe. We have lost the shadows, but the substance remains, for our Savior lives, and the place which He has prepared for us abides. There is a better land, a better substance, a better promise; and all this comes to us by a better covenant; wherefore, let us be in better spirits, and say unto the Lord, ‘Every day will I bless thee; and praise thy name for ever and ever.’ (Spurgeon - Faith's Checkbook)

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