Embracing Joy: The Transformative Power of Christ's Birth

Devotional

Day 1: Joy as a Transformative Presence

Joy is a profound, abiding presence that transforms lives and compels the sharing of Christ's good news. It is not merely a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated force that brings hope and happiness, empowering believers to live out their faith with enthusiasm and purpose. This joy is contagious, spreading to others and inspiring them to seek the same fulfillment. The anticipation of the Messiah in the Old Testament and the fulfillment of that joy in the New Testament through the birth of Jesus exemplify this transformative power. As believers, embracing this joy allows us to experience the fullness of life in Christ and to share that joy with the world. [23:13]

"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively share the joy of Christ with someone in your life today, and what specific actions can you take to make this joy evident to them?

Day 2: The Unexpected Revelation of the Messiah

The Jewish people had various expectations for the Messiah, envisioning a conquering king, a descendant of David, a suffering servant, a herald of good news, and a restorer of justice and peace. However, they did not anticipate that the Messiah would be God incarnate. This revelation is central to Christian faith, distinguishing it from other beliefs. Understanding Jesus as God in the flesh is crucial for hope and salvation, as it underscores the divine nature of Christ's mission and the depth of God's love for humanity. This unexpected revelation challenges believers to deepen their understanding of Jesus and to embrace the mystery of God's incarnation. [30:02]

"For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." (Colossians 2:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways does understanding Jesus as God incarnate change your perspective on your relationship with Him, and how can this understanding influence your daily walk with Christ?

Day 3: Joseph's Exemplary Traits

Joseph, a key figure in the birth narrative of Jesus, exemplifies traits that believers should aspire to embody: purity, responsibility, trust, sensitivity to the Spirit, and the ability to make necessary adjustments in life. His response to the angel's message demonstrates a willingness to align his life with God's plans, even when they challenge his understanding or comfort. Joseph's story serves as a reminder of the importance of being open to God's guidance and living a life of integrity and faithfulness. By emulating Joseph's traits, believers can navigate life's challenges with grace and purpose, trusting in God's wisdom and direction. [45:57]

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly." (Matthew 1:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: Which of Joseph's traits do you find most challenging to embody, and what steps can you take to cultivate this trait in your life starting today?

Day 4: Sensitivity to the Spirit

Being sensitive to the Spirit of God is crucial for making wise decisions and leading a life that honors God. Joseph's willingness to listen and respond to God's guidance serves as a model for believers to follow in their daily lives. This sensitivity requires a heart attuned to God's voice and a readiness to act on His direction, even when it requires stepping out of one's comfort zone. By cultivating a sensitivity to the Spirit, believers can discern God's will and align their actions with His purposes, leading to a life of fulfillment and spiritual growth. [51:12]

"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." (Isaiah 30:21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to listen for the Spirit's guidance, and what practices can help you become more attuned to God's voice?

Day 5: Embracing Awe and Wonder

Maintaining a sense of awe and wonder in one's relationship with God is vital for experiencing the joy and beauty of His presence. Joseph's story reminds believers to cherish the miraculous and to celebrate the little things God does every day. This sense of wonder keeps faith vibrant and alive, allowing believers to see God's hand in all aspects of life. By embracing awe and wonder, believers can deepen their appreciation for God's creation and His work in their lives, leading to a more profound and joyful relationship with Him. [54:09]

"Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever." (Psalm 111:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one aspect of God's creation or work in your life that you can take time to marvel at today, and how can this practice of wonder enhance your spiritual journey?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of joy as represented by the third candle of Advent, the pink candle, which stands out among the others. This joy is not just a fleeting emotion but a deep, abiding presence that transforms our lives and compels us to share the good news of Christ with others. We reflected on the anticipation of the Messiah in the Old Testament and the fulfillment of that joy in the New Testament, as seen in the birth of Jesus. The joy of the Lord is contagious and empowers us to live out our faith with hope and happiness.

We also delved into the expectations the Jewish people had for the Messiah, such as being a conquering king, a descendant of David, a suffering servant, a herald of good news, and a restorer of justice and peace. However, they did not anticipate that the Messiah would be God incarnate. This revelation is central to our faith, as it distinguishes Christianity from other beliefs. Understanding Jesus as God in the flesh is crucial for our hope and salvation.

Our focus then shifted to Joseph, a key figure in the birth narrative of Jesus. Joseph's response to the angel's message exemplifies traits that we should aspire to embody: purity, responsibility, trust, sensitivity to the Spirit, and the ability to make necessary adjustments in our lives. Joseph's story reminds us of the importance of being open to God's plans, even when they challenge our understanding or comfort.

As we approach the Christmas season, let us rekindle the joy and wonder of Christ's birth in our hearts. May we be inspired by Joseph's example to live with integrity and faithfulness, trusting in God's guidance and embracing the awe of His presence in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Joy as a Transformative Force: Joy is not merely an emotion but a transformative force that compels us to share the good news of Christ. It is a deep, abiding presence that brings hope and happiness, empowering us to live out our faith with enthusiasm and purpose. [23:13]
2. The Unexpected Messiah: The Jewish people had various expectations for the Messiah, but they did not anticipate that He would be God incarnate. Understanding Jesus as God in the flesh is central to our faith and distinguishes Christianity from other beliefs. This revelation is crucial for our hope and salvation. [30:02]
3. Joseph's Exemplary Traits: Joseph's response to the angel's message highlights key traits such as purity, responsibility, trust, sensitivity to the Spirit, and the ability to make necessary adjustments. These traits are essential for living a life of integrity and faithfulness. [45:57]
4. Sensitivity to the Spirit: Being sensitive to the Spirit of God is crucial for making wise decisions and leading a life that honors God. Joseph's willingness to listen and respond to God's guidance serves as a model for us to follow in our daily lives. [51:12]
5. Embracing Awe and Wonder: Maintaining a sense of awe and wonder in our relationship with God is vital for experiencing the joy and beauty of His presence. Joseph's story reminds us to cherish the miraculous and to celebrate the little things God does every day. [54:09]
** [54:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Announcements and Invitations
[19:11] - Food Distribution and Volunteer Opportunities
[22:04] - Advent Candle of Joy
[23:13] - Joy in the Old and New Testament
[24:27] - Lottie Moon and Mission Giving
[27:42] - Expectations of the Messiah
[30:02] - The Messiah as God Incarnate
[31:31] - Reading from Matthew 1:18-25
[34:11] - Understanding Betrothal and Purity
[38:08] - Joseph's Consideration and Prayer
[40:11] - God's Revelation to Joseph
[45:57] - Joseph's Key Traits
[54:09] - Embracing Awe and Wonder
[57:46] - Closing Prayer and Reflections

Sermon Clips

Joy jumps out at you. Joy is something that we seek after, that we're drawn to, that we need in our lives. And so I think that's why, a good reason why the candle is pink. It's why it's different. It stands out amongst the crowd. In the Old Testament, they talk about the joy coming forward, looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, bringing joy in Isaiah chapter. You have multiplied the nation. You have increased its joy. [00:22:45] (29 seconds)

And then in the New Testament, seeing that start to come to fruition as they come into the presence of Christ the Savior, the Messiah, in Matthew chapter 2, when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. [00:23:27] (19 seconds)

They had no expectation that the Messiah would be God. They had no expectation that this Messiah would be deity, would be God in the flesh. Now you and I, having the privilege of being able to look back on this, can see that's the most fundamental aspect of the Messiah was that he was God in the flesh. [00:30:02] (26 seconds)

Because if Jesus is God in the flesh, if Jesus is the suffering servant Savior, then we may have some things in common. But if they identify him as just a good teacher or just a good man or something else, then we don't have as much in common with them as we need. [00:30:43] (16 seconds)

Joseph's only real qualification in his life was the fact that he was a righteous man, and that's all he needed. That's all that God is asking from us, is to be righteous. He was a just man. He was a fair man. He was one that fought well. He was one that processed well. [00:37:06] (21 seconds)

I firmly believe that his consideration involved a lot of prayer. I am firmly convinced that his consideration consisted of some time of meditation and processing. I describe myself in making serious decisions as a ponderer. Some of you have heard me say that. You've brought to me a challenge, and I said, okay, I'm a ponderer, so you're going to have to give me a minute. [00:38:37] (26 seconds)

And Joseph's primary focus was on honoring his father. He trusted the Word of God even when it was difficult. The road is not always going to be easy. Now, the fourth trait that we see in Joseph is sensitivity. And put this in parentheses, to the Spirit of God. This is the statement that I put in my notes. A man who doesn't get on his knees and listen to God is not wise and perhaps even prideful. [00:50:44] (41 seconds)

We must be, as individuals, sensitive to the work of God. In your work life, in your home life, in your personal life, in every aspect, we want to be sensitive. We want to work hard in whatever God has led us to, but we also want to be sensitive. Do so in a way that we come with our hands up, seeking God's direction, and be sensitive to those things that happen. [00:51:32] (34 seconds)

Some of us have been in the church so long that it just becomes what we do, and we've lost the awe of who God is. And if we've lost the awe of who God is, some of that joy kind of goes away too. I don't want to ever stop getting moved when someone comes to know Christ. I don't want to ever stop getting moved whenever I come into an opportunity to worship him with my brothers and sisters or even alone. [00:54:09] (38 seconds)

I don't want to ever get to the place in my life where I just go through the motions and lose sight of the little things that God is doing every day. Now, to be fair, this is a pretty big moment in Joseph's life. But I think we also see the kind of awe in Imagine Joseph and Mary. Let's fast forward a little bit. Jesus has just been born. And it's just the three of them in that stable. [00:54:47] (55 seconds)

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