Joy

Joy

Luke 2:7-2:15

• Later in Jesus’ ministry, He said He was here in part to bring joy!

• John 15:11 “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

• The story of the shepherds we will examine a couple of issues concerning joy. verse 7.

I. Fear suffocates joy.

• When we are bogged down with fear, it is difficult to experience joy.

1. What other people think?

2. How am I going to make it through this?

3. What does the future hold?

• Shepherds were common job

Not an easy job it was filled with dangers. It was a lowly job and shepherds were not held in high esteem.

In general shepherds were thought of as dishonest and unclean according to the standards of the law.

They represent the outcasts and sinners for whom Jesus came.

Such outcasts were the first recipients of the good news

• These shepherds were near the scene of the birth of Jesus.

• Sheep were kept out in the fields during the day.

In the evening they were moved into sheepfolds,

where the shepherds could take turns keeping watch over their flock during the night.

Inside the fold the sheep could more easily be guarded from predators and thieves.

• These sheep were kept in the wilderness between Jerusalem and the vicinity of Bethlehem was going to be used as a sacrifice in the temple.

• These sheep…, these shepherds…, were destined for a purpose.

The shepherds were watching over the sheep destined for sacrifice,

and they were going to visit the Lamb of God who would be slain for their SINS.

It was probably a typical night in the field, the shepherds were watching the sheep and then something strange and wonderful happened!

• Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

• THESE GUYS WERE TERRIFIED! I WONDER WHY?

• We see other instances in the Bible where men encountered angels, and the initial reaction was always fear.

• One moment, except for the sounds always heard during the night,

especially when shepherds are by turns watching their sheep, all was quiet.

• Then all of a sudden it happened: an angel of the Lord, holy, strong, brilliant, stood by them.

• This was a moment that should have been filled with joy,

but the fear of the shepherds stifled any hope of joy at this time, they were too busy being afraid.

• The angel of the Lord seeks to calm these men, he told them to STOP BEING afraid,

then he proceeded to tell them the good news!

VERSE 11-14

II. Joy leads to praise.

The titles the angel uses for the newborn child are significant.

“Savior” reflects the call of Jesus to deliver his people, as Mary’s and Zechariah’s declared

• As the angel was able to calm the fears of the shepherds, a multitude of heavenly hosts show up on the scene and began praising God!

• A MULTITUDE OF HEAVENLY HOSTS would be akin to an ARMY of angels.

• A great number of angels stood as an army for the Lord!

• The army of angels sing the praise of our great God!

• How can one have joy in the Lord without offering Him praise?

• This has to be an awesome sight to behold. When you are in the presence of God, praise will follow.

• Joy leads to praise, fear stifles praise.

• ALL WHO ARE IN CHRIST HAVE REASON FOR JOY!

• We can praise God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do!

• Let’s look at verse 15

Luke 2:15

III. Joy leads to action.

• When you are filled with joy, you have to do something.

When you are joyful in the Lord, you will want to praise Him, and you will want to serve Him.

• When the angels left the scene, what did the shepherds do? Did they go back to an ordinary life, did they say, NICE CONCERT, BACK TO WORK?

• When you are filled with the JOY of the Lord, will you ever be the same?

• These common shepherds, men who were looked down upon, dirty, smelly, and not trusted, were going to do something, joy leads one to do something.

• They were moved to go see Jesus!

Verse 16 says they went with HASTE to find Mary, Joseph, and Jesus!

CONCLUSION

• The shepherds had had an amazing evening, one that forever changed their lives.

• But life goes on, and eventually the shepherds went back to their flock,

What will you do????