10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11
Geico stole it from the angels- I have good new?
The angels said-I bring you good news of great joy!
The Good New is not about car insurance, It is about Jesus Christ- Life Insurance.
John 10:10 Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy: I have come to that they may have life, and have it to the full."
In a time in our society when we need it the most, people are trying to steal our joy. Like the Grinch who stole Christmas, People in the name of Political Correctness are stealing are rewriting the long standing Christian Tradition of Christmas and turning it in to what is now called a Happy Holiday. In the name of not wanting to offend a small minority who oppose Christmas. They don't mind offending Christians who celebrate the birth of Christ, the Reason for the season. Will I have news for them, It won’t be a happy holiday without Christ.
And Just a side note: Happy Holiday is derived from the Old English word Holy Day! So just what threat have they taken out?
We must make sure that we include all the celebrations: Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Winter Solstice. But compared to Christmas none of these match up.
Hanukah the celebrations of lights- Christmas is the celebration of THE LIGHT.
Kwanzaa is the celebration of the earth’s abundance- Christmas is the celebration of THE ONE WHO CREATED THE EARTH ABUNDANCE.
Winter Solstice is the a celebration to the sun God- Christmas is a celebration of THE SON OF GOD.
Romans 1:21-22 says for although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
This time of year is not a time to celebrate light, this time of year is not a time to celebrate the earth, this time of year is not a time to celebrate the Sun.
This time of year is a time to celebrate the one who created all these thing-Colosians 1:15-17 talking about Jesus Christ says- He is the image of the invisible Go, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
No celebration outside of Jesus Christ can bring you Joy!
Today I want you to see three things about Joy.
1. Joy comes in a person.
2. Joy comes for all people.
3. Joy comes in the present.
I. Joy comes in a person!
That Person Is Jesus Christ!1 Peter 1:8-9- Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. For you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 John 1:3-4- We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.
·Joy is Not in Pleasure — Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure if anyone did. He wrote: “The worm, the canker, and grief are mine alone.”
Joy is Not in Pleasure — Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure if anyone did. He wrote: “The worm, the canker, and grief are mine alone.”·Joy is Not in Money — Jay Gould, the American millionaire, had plenty of that. When dying, he said: “I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth.”
Joy is Not in Money — Jay Gould, the American millionaire, had plenty of that. When dying, he said: “I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth.”·Joy is Not in Position and Fame — Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more than his share of both. He wrote: “Youth is a mistake; manhood a struggle; old age a regret.”
Joy is Not in Position and Fame — Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more than his share of both. He wrote: “Youth is a mistake; manhood a struggle; old age a regret.”·Joy is Not in Military Glory — Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so, he wept in his tent, before he said, “There are no more worlds to conquer.”
Joy is Not in Military Glory — Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so, he wept in his tent, before he said, “There are no more worlds to conquer.”·Where then is real joy found? — the answer is simple, in Christ alone.
Where then is real joy found? — the answer is simple, in Christ alone. The Bible Friend, Turning Point, May, 1993
If the world wants us to have a happy holiday, then we need to seek out the person who can give it. Jesus Christ.
2. Joy comes for all people!
John 3:16- For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 10:13- For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
2 Peter 3:9- The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
3. Joy comes in the present!
Today is the day for salvationLuke 19:1-10Zacchaeus- Recognized his sin.Zacchaeus- Repented of his sin.Salvation came to him immediately. Salvation is in the present.Luke 23:39-43The criminal recognized his sin.The criminal repented of his sin.Salvation came to him immediately. Salvation is in the present.I ask you today: What about you? Have you recognized you sin? Have you repented of you sin, are you truly saved?Romans 3:23 says all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:7-8a- So as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.
Joy comes in a person, Joy comes for all people, and Joy comes in the present.
Do want a Happy Holiday- Then you need to make Jesus the center of it.
