NOTES: Tis the Season, Part 3
Tis the Season 3- Re-Gifted- Joy
Text: Luke 2:8-20
Date: Sunday Dec 11, 2022
Luke 2:8-20 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 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. 10 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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.” 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
Let’s Connect:
The problem with understanding joy in our metamodern culture.
The advent of Jesus Christ— the Messiah, proclaimed the great spiritual reset, the favorable year of the Lord. (Isaiah 61:3)
So, Tis the Season for perfect hope, love, JOY, and peace.
Let’s Explain:
Luke 2:8-12:
“Joy is the serious business of heaven.” — C.S. Lewis:
Because joy is transcendent, it rightly can co-exist with important emotions like sorrow.
In 2 Corinthians 6:10, Paul describes himself in his ministry experience as 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;….as having nothing, yet possessing everything.”
Ultimately joy is unshakable soul-satisfaction in the life-giving presence of God.
Acts 2:28, “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”
John 15:9-11, “9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Proverbs 25:20 ESV, “Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.”
Luke 2:13-15: Learning from the angels and shepherds
Let’s Relate:
Rejoice: celebrate and give thanks:
Psalm 118:24 (ESV)
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
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.”
Philippians 4:4–6 (ESV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Rejoicing is regifting joy back to the Source.
Our rejoicing is a witness of joy to others.
Our Challenge: Join the Shepherds as Gospel-evangelist who shared joy by rejoicing.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
Psalm 63:5-7, “5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.”