Joy in Anticipation: Embracing God's Promises
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound joy that comes from the anticipation of God's promises, as illustrated in the Christmas story. We began with a humorous yet insightful tale of two twins, one a pessimist and the other an optimist, to highlight how perspective shapes our experience of joy. This story set the stage for understanding the biblical narrative of Christmas, where key figures like Mary and Elizabeth found joy not in their current circumstances but in the promises of God. Despite the long wait and the trials they faced, their faith in God's promises filled them with hope and joy.
We delved into the story of Elizabeth and Mary, focusing on the miraculous pregnancies that were part of God's plan. Elizabeth's joy was evident when her unborn child leapt in her womb at Mary's greeting, a testament to the joy that comes from believing in God's promises. This joy was not dependent on the fulfillment of the promise but on the assurance that God was at work. Similarly, the shepherds, considered lowly in society, were chosen to receive the good news of Jesus' birth, illustrating that God's joy is available to all, regardless of status or circumstance.
The message emphasized that true joy is not found in the fleeting pleasures of this world but in the eternal promises of God. We are reminded that joy can be experienced even in the midst of trials because it is rooted in the faithfulness of God, who has always kept His promises. The anticipation of what God will do, based on His past faithfulness, is a source of enduring joy.
Key Takeaways:
- Joy in Anticipation: Joy can be found in what will be, not just in what is. The anticipation of God's promises, as seen in the lives of Mary and Elizabeth, brings joy even before the promises are fulfilled. This joy is rooted in faith and the assurance that God is at work. [28:42]
- Joy Beyond Circumstances: True joy is not dependent on current circumstances but on the eternal promises of God. In a fallen world filled with pain and loss, joy comes from knowing that God is faithful and His promises are sure. [33:01]
- Joy for All People: The announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds shows that God's joy is available to everyone, regardless of their status. This joy is not determined by circumstances but by the person of Jesus and His work. [58:38]
- Joy in Faith: Faith is the key to experiencing joy, even in difficult times. Like John the Baptist, who sought reassurance, we can find joy in the evidence of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. [42:13]
- Joy in the Eternal Perspective: The joy set before Jesus enabled Him to endure the cross. Similarly, our joy is sustained by the hope of what comes after this life, knowing that God's promises extend beyond our current struggles. [01:02:49]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[26:09] - The Tale of Two Twins
[28:42] - Joy in the Christmas Narrative
[31:14] - Joy Beyond Present Circumstances
[33:01] - The Source of True Joy
[34:16] - The Gospel of Luke and Elizabeth's Joy
[37:15] - Mary's Visit to Elizabeth
[38:28] - The Miracle of Pregnancy
[39:39] - John the Baptist's Role
[40:48] - The Announcement to the Shepherds
[42:13] - Reassurance in Faith
[58:38] - Joy for All People
[59:44] - The Eternal Perspective of Joy
[01:02:49] - Joy Through Jesus' Sacrifice
[01:04:30] - Anticipating Future Joy
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 1:39-45
- Luke 2:8-14
- Hebrews 12:2
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Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 1:39-45, what was Elizabeth's reaction when Mary greeted her, and what does this signify about the joy of anticipation? [37:15]
2. According to Luke 2:8-14, who were the first to receive the announcement of Jesus' birth, and why is this significant? [58:38]
3. How does Hebrews 12:2 describe Jesus' perspective on enduring the cross, and what does this reveal about the source of His joy? [01:02:49]
4. What was the main point of the humorous story about the two twins, and how does it relate to the theme of joy in anticipation? [28:42]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Elizabeth's response to Mary's visit illustrate the concept of joy rooted in faith rather than circumstances? [37:15]
2. Why might God have chosen shepherds, considered lowly in society, to be the first to hear the good news of Jesus' birth? What does this tell us about the nature of God's joy? [58:38]
3. In what ways does the anticipation of God's promises, as seen in the lives of Mary and Elizabeth, challenge our understanding of joy in our own lives? [31:14]
4. How does the joy set before Jesus, as described in Hebrews 12:2, provide a model for enduring trials in our own lives? [01:02:49]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you found joy in anticipation rather than in your current circumstances. How can you apply this perspective to a current challenge in your life? [31:14]
2. The shepherds received the good news despite their low status. How can you ensure that you are open to receiving joy in unexpected ways or from unexpected sources? [58:38]
3. Consider the role of faith in experiencing joy. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in God's promises, especially during difficult times? [42:13]
4. How can the joy set before Jesus, which enabled Him to endure the cross, inspire you to find joy in the hope of what comes after your current struggles? [01:02:49]
5. Identify a specific promise of God that you are currently waiting on. How can you cultivate joy in the anticipation of its fulfillment, even if it seems far off? [31:14]
6. Think about a person or group in your life who might feel overlooked or lowly, like the shepherds. How can you share the joy of the good news with them this week? [58:38]
7. Reflect on the distractions in your life that might be preventing you from focusing on the joy found in Jesus. What practical steps can you take to minimize these distractions this week? [01:05:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy in Anticipation
The anticipation of God's promises brings profound joy, as seen in the lives of Mary and Elizabeth. Their joy was not based on the immediate fulfillment of God's promises but on the assurance that God was at work in their lives. Mary and Elizabeth's faith allowed them to experience joy even before the promises were realized. This teaches us that joy can be found in the journey of faith, trusting that God is faithful to His word. The story of their miraculous pregnancies serves as a reminder that God's timing is perfect, and His promises are worth waiting for. [28:42]
Luke 1:44-45 (ESV): "For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you are waiting for? How can you find joy in the anticipation of its fulfillment today?
Day 2: Joy Beyond Circumstances
True joy is not dependent on our current circumstances but on the eternal promises of God. In a world filled with pain and loss, joy comes from knowing that God is faithful and His promises are sure. Mary and Elizabeth found joy not in their immediate situations but in the assurance of God's faithfulness. This joy is rooted in the belief that God is at work, even when we cannot see it. By focusing on God's promises, we can experience joy that transcends our present trials and challenges. [33:01]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "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, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to find joy due to difficult circumstances? How can you shift your focus to God's eternal promises today?
Day 3: Joy for All People
The announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds illustrates that God's joy is available to everyone, regardless of their status or circumstances. The shepherds, considered lowly in society, were chosen to receive the good news of Jesus' birth. This demonstrates that God's joy is not determined by our social standing but by the person of Jesus and His work. The joy of the Lord is inclusive and available to all who believe in Him. [58:38]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: Who in your life might feel excluded from God's joy? How can you share the inclusive joy of Jesus with them today?
Day 4: Joy in Faith
Faith is the key to experiencing joy, even in difficult times. Like John the Baptist, who sought reassurance, we can find joy in the evidence of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. Faith allows us to see beyond our current struggles and trust in God's plan for our lives. By holding onto faith, we can experience joy that is not dependent on our circumstances but on the assurance of God's presence and work in our lives. [42:13]
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to exercise more faith? How can you actively trust God in this area today to experience His joy?
Day 5: Joy in the Eternal Perspective
The joy set before Jesus enabled Him to endure the cross. Similarly, our joy is sustained by the hope of what comes after this life, knowing that God's promises extend beyond our current struggles. By keeping an eternal perspective, we can find joy in the midst of trials, knowing that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed. This eternal perspective allows us to endure hardships with joy, trusting in the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. [01:02:49]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: How can you cultivate an eternal perspective in your daily life? What practical steps can you take today to focus on the joy set before you in Christ?
Quotes
"As you look through the biblical narrative of the Christmas story, what you find is, is you find people in the story, not everybody, but there's some key people in the story, that in the middle of a hard and trying time for their people, they were very optimistic. They had this hope, this anticipation, of good things that God had promised." [00:28:42] (24 seconds)
"Joy can be found in what will be because oftentimes we are trying to depend on what is right now to find some joy. And what is right now is not that good sometimes." [00:31:14] (14 seconds)
"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed, Blessed! Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear." [00:37:15] (18 seconds)
"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His, what? Promises to her. Elizabeth has Mary come into her home, and as soon as Mary speaks to her, what happens? The baby leaps in her womb." [00:39:39] (26 seconds)
"That's God keeping his promise in such a beautiful and miraculous way to not only send the Messiah, but to have one go before him, to prepare the way for the beginning of his ministry of what he was going to do while he was here." [00:42:13] (15 seconds)
"This joy is not determined by circumstances, but by the person of Jesus, and what He's done for you, and what He's promised to give you, not just here, while you're here, but for eternity." [01:00:03] (13 seconds)
"For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross. Scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." [01:02:49] (12 seconds)
"Because of Jesus, we can look forward to joy in the future. Sometimes we feel like we must feel joyful to be joyful. I want to explain what I'm talking about." [01:04:30] (14 seconds)
"Sometimes we think we have to feel joyful to be joyful. But, here's the thing. You're not always going to feel joyful. There are moments where you're not going to feel that joy." [01:05:17] (15 seconds)
"Walking in obedience to Jesus is where you're going to find that kind of joy. Because then you have the promises of God guaranteed for you in your life." [01:07:28] (12 seconds)
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