WELCOME
Good morning First Baptist. We welcome you to worship this morning. Be sure to remember your brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the week as you pray for them, and as the Holy Spirit brings their faces to your mind. Be sure to also connect with them in the ways that are possible. And if you have any questions or would like to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to contact the church through the church telephone and leave a message. (519-733-4144)
Call to Worship
Throughout all of human history, the Joy of God’s promise has stayed the same:
“I will be your God, and you will be my people.”
This day we worship our God, whose name “Emmanuel” reminds us of the promise: God-with-us.On this third, Joy-filled, Sunday of Advent, we give thanks for God’s abiding presence among us.
Come and sing with us – so everyone can hear the Joy you have to Worship.
Welcome to Worship!
Songs
Prayer
CONFESSION
It is getting more and more difficult, Lord, for us to keep our attention on the holy things. On the things of that first noel. Our lives are caught up in the planning, parties, gifts, and even this year impending gathering restrictions. We get side-tracked too easily and end up exhausted.
The cries of those in need abound and we are overwhelmed by the immensity of that need and so, too often we turn a deaf ear because we feel we just can’t meet all the needs that are presented to us. Heal our hearts and spirits, Lord. Help us understand that you do not ask us to heal everything but rather to find a simple way in which we might lighten someone else’s burden, as you have lightened our lives. You have brought hope and peace and joy to us. Now cause us to rejoice in the wondrous things that you have done. Teach us to use our gifts for the common good, and that in helping, we find great and abundant joy.
In Jesus’ Name, we pray. AMEN.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The messenger has been sent to us, proclaiming that there is One who is Coming who will heal and restore your joy. Know that this is a great gift from God, who has always and will always love you. AMEN.
Our Hope Has Come
JOY
Today's Message
Have you ever noticed just how different people act during this time of year? Do you notice that there are some people who are typically unhappy or stressed through the entire year. Who then turn into the most wonderful people to be around when Christmas comes along. And then, there are people who are usually very delightful to be around who start becoming sadder, removing themselves from people, and walk around with an attitude of glumness when Christmas comes along. I’m sure I’m not the only one who notices this common trend, right?
Well, if you were not aware, this is something called seasonal depression. Now, there are many theories as to what causes this thing called seasonal depression, but one that stands out to me is that
“less sunlight during fall and winter leads to the brain making less serotonin, a chemical linked to brain pathways that regulate mood. When nerve cell pathways in the brain that regulate mood don’t function normally, the result can be feelings of depression, along with symptoms of fatigue and weight gain”
— WEBMD
Now, typically, those who are afflicted with this seasonal disorder experience fatigue, trouble concentrating, increased appetite, increased desires to be alone, a greater need for sleep, and weight gain. Many who experience this would agree when I say that the winter months, especially the advent season, are more of a season of sadness rather than a season of gladness. This seasonal sadness may be increased by many other factors other than a lack of light. For some this time of year is financially difficult, as many try and buy as many presents as possible for as many people as possible. Others may be experiencing their first Christmas and Advent season without a loved one due to death or illness. This time of year can also be heavy with not only lay-offs from many different companies, but also an increase in motor vehicle accidents. So, as you can see, this time of year is not always filled with joy and laughter from others. And, if any of you have ever dealt with depression before, whether yourselves or friends or family, Christmas can be especially difficult.
All of us are susceptible to emotional and mental distress, even Mary and Joseph were susceptible.
Imagine what sort of mental anguish Joseph felt when Mary told him that she was pregnant. Joseph knew he was not the father, he knew that he did not make this child, so he was probably very upset at this news. While Mary told him what happened, I’m sure all he was able to hear was noise as he thought about the love of this life being with another man, even if it was from God. Luckily, this anguish was resolved when an angel appeared to him in a dream and confirmed Mary’s statement.
Fast forward some time to their travels to Bethlehem. Joseph and a very pregnant Mary are travelling nearly 70-80 miles. Not only would this journey be difficult under normal circumstances but increase that difficulty when you add in pregnancy. Also, Samaria lay between Galilee and Judea which had Bethlehem in it. There was a great hatred between the Samaritans and the Jews. Any lone traveler crossing from Galilee into Samaria would be at risk of not receiving any lodgings or any other type of assistance on the journey. The family would have had to travel east, cross over into modern-day Jordan and then travel south on the eastern side of the Jordan River, before crossing back into Judea. This makes the journey much longer.
You see, even at the outset of the Christmas story and the Birth of Jesus – there didn’t seem to be much Joy or should I say happiness – which was it? Joseph and Mary weren’t happy or weren’t joyful? We should talk about the difference – It’s important for us to distinguish the difference between Joy & Happiness.
One of the texts in our library gives the biblical definition of ‘joy’- a feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or what is happening around us.
Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, abiding in God’s presence and from hope in His word.
JOY (χαρά, chara) in the original Greek language is a state of being, not a feeling, but closely related to the feelings of gladness and happiness, although as I said, joy is more a state of being than an emotion; A state of being especially because JOY is a result of choice.
Paul tells us Joy is one of the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22–23) and that having joy is part of the experience of being a Christian. Joy is a deep inner sensing. Happiness is an outward expression. Joy endures hardship and trials and connects with meaning and purpose. A person pursues happiness but chooses joy.
Right from the beginning, the impending arrival of Jesus brought JOY! Maybe the initial experiences of the incarnation weren’t overly happy for Joseph or Mary but we can’t deny that the outcome was indeed Joy.
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 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 are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
— Luke 1:39-45
Even the baby in Elizabeth’s womb knew that this was special. This was different- something that had been planned and promised but never seen before.
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
— Isaiah. 7:14
As we’ve seen predicted by the prophet Isaiah, this coming arrival was God’s promises being kept. And It wasn’t just that Jesus would be born but that He would be the saviour of the world!
Jesus brings the Joy of salvation.
And the first part of this message that I want all of us to hear is destined for the ears of those of you who don’t necessarily relate to this word Salvation or even see it as causing Joy in their life. That joy that comes from having Christ as your Lord, your friend and having your sins forgiven. It’s the joy of being restored to a right relationship with God through Christ the Savior. The message that the angel gave to the shepherds that first Christmas night is just as applicable to you two thousand years later, right here, right now:
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
— Luke 2:11
My friends, here is the truth proclaimed this morning!! There is no true joy without salvation, and there is no true salvation without joy. Jesus is the reason for the season, and if you have never trusted Jesus as your Savior, then you are missing out on the true joy of Christmas. Now, when you do know Jesus as your Saviour and the Joy that this imparts in your life, that always leads to you wanting others to know that too.
Most of you know that in 2016 I fought Hodgkins Lymphoma. I know this is weird story for the Christmas Season, but one of the things I have always been thankful for is that the whole cancer journey is such a testimony to God’s presence in my life and I can use it to share and proclaim His greatness and the way He takes an active role in my life. He was their through every part of this journey whether it was making sure I was in the right place for the best care and treatment at the beginning, providing me and surrounding me with people who made sure that not only I was taken care of, but that Dave & my girls & my parents received care too. He sent people my way who were walking their own cancer journey’s as well – faith filled people- some who lost their fight but were an example to me that through it all there is great JOY and Peace for those who believe. And then He has used me to show others His great love and care as they walk through similar cancer journeys as my own.
There is nothing joyful about Cancer – DO NOT HEAR ME SAY THAT!!
But there can be GREAT JOY for all of us in walking through a trial like that, knowing JESUS is walking with us. None of my situation could have ever worked itself out, without Him!! I always tell everyone that my 10 months of poking and prodding, of Doctors and treatments, that was absolutely a ‘God thing’. I was the human participating in it and living it but the Holy Spirit was the one that facilitated it and made it become God’s story in my life.
Joy leads to proclamation
During this time of year we have a tendency to focus on the nativity proclamation by the Angels’ but I think a wonderful example of true joy here is found in the involvement of the Shepherd’s.
During this time of year we have a tendency to focus on the nativity proclamation by the Angels’ but I think a wonderful example of true joy here is found in the involvement of the Shepherd’s.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
— Luke 2:8-12
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
— Luke 2:15-18
This visit to the shepherds by the Angels was so amazing! I know, any visit from an Angel would be super amazing but can you even fathom a whole Heavenly Host of Angels visiting the lowliest of the low of society? Shepherds in those days were considered the dregs of society, an unclean nomadic people that weren’t important to anyone, certainly barely noticed by the one true God- or so they thought! Even though it is believed that these shepherds were the ones taking care of the unblemished sheep for the temple sacrifices- they were the Special Shepherds! The harsh reality of life for them was that they were truly not important at all.
But yet, they were the first to be invited to meet the Lamb of God!!!!
“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
— Matthew. 20-16
The shepherd’s lot in life was to live in fields basically as outcasts to society yet here it was up to them. They got to go see the baby Jesus first and then they were invited and encouraged to go share it. They were the ones told to Proclaim the Incarnation to EVERYONE! Do you see the opportunity for us in this? It wasn’t the Angels doing all the proclaiming. They intentionally and specifically invited the Shepherds to join them in sharing the Best News EVER!! And they were specifically told to share the “Good News that will cause great joy for all People!”
God’s word is not limited to just a few chosen people; it’s meant to be shared with all People, by all people!!!
Joy leads to proclamation. And if you do know Jesus as your Savior, then you need to spread the word!
How many people have you told about Jesus this Christmas season? You don’t need to be a trained theologian to share Jesus with others.Just tell them that Christmas is all about the birth of Christ who came to be our Savior.
Tell them Jesus died on the cross for their sins so they could be forgiven.
Tell them Jesus rose from the dead and that he is alive today.
Tell them Jesus is coming back to bring peace on earth.
This is all very good news, and remember, good news is for sharing. If you know Jesus as your Savior, then you know the joy of salvation, and joy leads to proclamation. And that Joy that you know will also lead to a heart of praise!!!
One of my favourite parts in the Christmas story is Mary’s Song of thanksgiving…. We find it in Luke 1:46-55:
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
I love how the beginning is written in Eugene Peterson’s The Message:
And Mary said,
I’m bursting with God-news;
I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened – I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!
What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
I imagine her shouting this from the mountain tops while hugging her every growing belly! She is truly full of praise, joy and thankfulness to be His chosen one! And then we see this same joyful praise from the Shepherds in
Luke 2:20
“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
And we can’t leave out the Wisemen:
After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 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 worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
— Matthew 2:9-11
For Jesus followers, joy leads to praise. Truthfully, I believe praise leads to Joy! It makes me think of the Children’s song… I’ve got the Joy JOY JOY down in my heart… Where?? Down in my Heart!!!
Praise God every day for your salvation.
Praise him for his amazing grace.
Praise him for his great love in sending his Son, Jesus, to be your Savior.
Praise him for his goodness and kindness in forgiving your sins.
Praise him for the miracle of the incarnation at Christmas, that God the Son took on human flesh and was born into our world as a little baby.
“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
— Isaiah 12:3
True Joy, that we know through our relationship with Jesus, is the key to a spirit of praise flooding our hearts. It is out of our delight in God that we find our own prophetic voices.
Many years ago, A Hindu trader in India asked a missionary, “What do you put on your face to make it shine?”
With surprise the man of God answered, “I don’t put anything on it!”
His questioner began to lose patience and said emphatically, “Yes, you do! All of you who believe in Jesus seem to have it. I’ve seen it in the towns of Agra and Surat, and even in the city of Bombay.”
Suddenly the Christian understood, and his face glowed even more as he said, “Now I know what you mean, and I will tell you the secret. It’s not something we put on from the outside but something that comes from within. It’s the reflection of the light of God in our hearts.”
Far too many believers lack the “shine” of joy on their faces. So many of us seem to believe that to be truly spiritual, that for some reason we’re supposed to wear a kind of sad or solemn expression.
That’s not you!! We know the Good News!!! The day we step into the eternity of Heaven and find that God has been true to his word, God’s word tells us that we, the redeemed, will erupt in music as never before, that we will sing a new song. It will sound
“like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder … like the sound of harpists playing on their harps”
— Revelation 14:2
And so here’s the mystery of that: We have not yet heard that sound—sustained intensity like a waterfall, punctuated bursts like claps of thunder, overwhelming sweetness like an orchestra of harpists, all rolled into one. That’s because there is no such sound in all the world. But I want you to receive this promise Church, this truth, that someday we will be a part of it. Our fully saved hearts will know JOY like we can’t even imagine!
Because….. He is where the Joy IS!!!!
Let’s go to our Saviour and praise Him through our prayers.
Prayer
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” – the music swirls toward our ears from countless speakers in stores, on the radio, on TV. But we aren’t so sure about that. We have been so wrapped up in preparation for the “wonderful season” we can’t seem to find the joy. So many people are in need. We have friends and family members who are suffering from illnesses, loss, alienation. We want them to be happy, but we can’t make that happen. We bring the names to you, Lord, for your healing mercy and rest in the assurance of your loving presence with them. That is a comfort to us. But we also stand in need of your healing restoration. We are feeling depleted, discouraged, and exhausted. Slow us down, Lord. Help us to feel the joy of your love from the “inside out” and in every direction! Remind us that your gift of love is freely given to us so that we may be healed and be a blessing to someone else. Touch our hearts and spirits, so that your joy may spring from our lips and our lives. For we ask it in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Song
Benediction
Be people of joy.
Let joy live in your heart and share the joy of Christ with all you meet.
Share joy by seeing the good in each other.
Share joy by remembering good times and hoping for good times to come.
Share joy by praying for our world.
In this Advent season, we need to see, feel, and share joy.
As you go out into the wonder of God’s creations, share joy, peace, and hope with those you meet. Amen.