Christmas Witnessing - Joy To The World Series

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INTRODUCTION

Christmas witnessing is all about sharing the Joy that we received with others, the joy is not about shopping, food or anything materialistic but Jesus himself.

I heard a story about a woman who was doing her last-minute Christmas shopping at a crowded mall. She was tired of fighting the crowds, standing in lines, and fighting her way down long aisles looking for a gift that had sold out days before. Her arms were full of bulky packages when the Elevator door opened. It was full.

The occupants of the Elevator grudgingly moved to allow a small space for her and her load. As the doors closed she blurted out, “Whoever is responsible for this whole Christmas thing ought to be arrested and punished!” Then, from somewhere in the back of the elevator came a single voice that said, “Don’t worry. They already crucified him.”

The Reason for Christmas

We need to remember who is responsible for the whole Christmas theme. It is all about how John 3:16 God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Unfortunately, many people do not even know the reason for Christmas and are looking for joy anywhere and everywhere else. An interviewer once asked Madonna: “Are you a happy person?” She replied, “I am a tormented person. I’m wrestling a lot of demons. But I want to be happy. I have moments of happiness. I am working towards knowing myself. and I assume that will bring me happiness.”

One of the messages of Christ’s birth is recorded in Luke 2. As Jesus was born there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Luke 2:9-10 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Happiness

Pretty much everybody wants happiness. In fact, people go to every extent to find happiness. People work hard to buy possessions that can make them happy. They look for happiness in entertainment, hobbies, sports, passions and various addictions. Some like Madonna look deep within, thinking maybe that’s where happiness is hiding.

When you consider that happiness seems to be man’s main goal, it seems surprising that the Bible doesn’t talk much about happiness. But the Bible says a lot about something that is often confused with happiness. The Bible says a lot about joy. The kind of joy the Bible talks about goes much deeper than mere happiness.

You see, happiness deals with what is happening. Happiness depends on circumstance. For some people, happiness is nothing more than a temporary interruption to boredom. Grace always comes and tells me, “Daddy I’m bored, what to do?” That means, “I want some happiness, and I’m not finding it!”

Joy

Genuine joy, on the other hand, does not depend on what’s happening. Joy is an inner sense of well-being that has nothing to do with circumstance. The kind of joy the Bible describes can’t be found in possessions, entertainment or anything in this world. Real joy can be found only in the Lord. That is why the song says “Joy to the world the Lord has come.”

There is a God vacuum in every life. If we look deeply within ourselves, we will not find happiness, but we will find that space that only God can fill. If you receive Christ as King of your life, He provides Joy. In the same way that your body craves food, in the same way, your Spirit craves a relationship with God. If you have the joy of Christ in you say an Amen!

Now, as much as we have received this joy we have a responsibility to share this joy with the others around us. This message is unreached. Romans 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? As we continue to fill our hearts with this joy, let’s also share this joy with others as we get into the season of Christmas this year.

The reason many are not witnessing their joy.

John 7:10-13 10However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” 12Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” 13But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.