TEXT: LUKE 1-2
HYMN: - BAPTIST HYMNAL 65
"Joy to the World the Lord is Come"
INTRODUCTION: -
The word "joy" has been defined as "feelings of great happiness or pleasure, especially of an elevated or spiritual kind." One of the obvious things from this definition is that the feeling or experience of joy goes beyond natural or ordinary phenomenon. This is what differentiates joy from happiness. In actual fact, joy is the highest form of happiness. While the latter is often occasioned by mundane things, the latter requires more than that, especially for it to be sustained.
It is gratifying to note that our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is not only interested in blessing us with happiness, but He is much interested in filling our hearts with joy – the highest form of happiness. In fact, His birth ushered in good news of great joy (see Luke 2:10). The joy that our Lord gives to the Kingdom People is unique. This is clearly evident from the accounts of His birth as recorded in the Gospels. Let us briefly consider five features of the joy that our Lord gives us – the Kingdom People – most especially, as we look forward to celebrating His birth this month.
*Overwhelming Joy. The joy that Jesus Christ gives to us is capable of overwhelming every form of impossibility in our lives and families. This was made known to the Virgin Mary. After Mary had asked how it could be possible for her to conceive without meeting a man, Angel Gabriel told her that the overshadowing power of the Holy Spirit will come upon her and turn impossibility to possibility (see Luke 1:35). When we are visited by the power of God, we receive the joy that overwhelms every negative and contradicting issue in our lives and families.
*Restoring Joy. It is likely that Zechariah and Elizabeth had given up the hope of having their own biological children. However, when they were visited by the good news of great joy, their hope of becoming parents were rekindled (see Luke 1:57-66). As we experience this joy afresh this season, all lost hopes will be restored in Jesus' name.
*Locating Joy. The shepherds were located out in the fields with the good news of great joy (see Luke 2:8ff). The joy that the Lord gives locates the Kingdom People. Relax; your joy is on the way.
*Fulfilling Joy. Simeon and Anna had their share of joy as they encountered Jesus Christ in the Temple the day He was first presented. Their dreams of seeing the Messiah were fulfilled (see Luke 2:25ff, 36ff).
*Lasting Joy. From the song of Mary in Luke 1:46-55, we are made to understand that the joy that the Lord gives is a lasting one – it extends from generation to generation. The joy from the Lord cannot be short-lived.
CONCLUSION: - Kingdom People! Brace up and position yourselves to receive the joy of the Lord. It is the joy that is overwhelming, restoring, locating, fulfilling, and lasting. Shalom.
Rev. Sola Idowu. PhD
1st Vice Chairman, Lagos Central Baptist Conference
Living is Christ
Phil. 1:21.
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