Celebrating Our Faith
12/21/08 4th Sunday of Advent
Phil 4:4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
INTRODUCTION
During the 2007-2008 NFL regular season, New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady set the record for most touchdown passes in a regular season, paving the way for his winning the MVP award. At the age of 30, he has already won three Super Bowls--an accomplishment that sets him apart as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game.
In 2005, Tom Brady was interviewed by 60 Minutes journalist Steve Kroft. Despite the fame and career accomplishments he had achieved already, Brady told Kroft that it felt like something was still lacking in his life:
Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, 'Hey man, this is what [it's all about].' I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me? I think, 'It's got to be more than this.' I mean this isn't--this can't be--all it's cracked up to be."
Kroft pressed Brady as to what the right answer was, and Brady added:
What's the answer? I wish I knew... I love playing football, and I love being quarterback for this team. But at the same time, I think there are a lot of other parts about me that I'm trying to find.
T.S. You would think that Tom Brady arguably the best quarterback alive today would be able to rejoice, but without faith even in great circumstances he finds it hard to rejoice. He's worth 15 million. He has three superbowl rings. Yet he's searching.
T.S. George Bailey on the other hand is facing financial ruin, disgrace probably prison, but when he encounters real faith Joy is His natural reaction.
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When George discovers it's a wonderful life he is filled with joy.
WHEN WE DISCOVER THE WONDERFUL LIFE, CELEBRATING OUR FAITH BECOMES NATURAL.
T.S. Turn with me this morning to Phil. 4 and lets discover how to celebrate our faith.
Key Verse 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Cultivate the Joy
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
* This s a double command. We think joy is a spontaneous emotion. It's not, it is an attitude that we cultivate.
At the heart of Christianity, what we find is neither a philosophy nor a system of morality, but a gospel: good news.... "
JOY
* It is the appropriate response of the believer to the "good tidings of great joy" which constitute the gospel (Luke 2:10).
* It is both exemplified in the life and character, and set forth in the teaching of Jesus. His description of Himself as bridegroom, in defense f His disciples for not fasting (Mark 2:18-20); the fact that He came "eating and drinking," His mentions of "my joy" (John 15:11; 17:13).
The Christmas story is a miracle.
Albert Einstein said, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as if nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is."
We take the Christmas story for granted because we've heard it so many times, but God could have announced the birth of his Son any way he wanted. Why did God do it the way he did it?
Max Lucado has an interesting take. He says:
Had the angel gone to theologians, they would have first consulted their commentaries. Had he gone to the elite, they would have looked around to see if anyone was watching. Had he gone to the successful, they would have first looked at their calendars. So he went to shepherds--Men who didn't have a reputation to protect or an ax to grind or a ladder to climb. Men who didn't know enough to tell God that angels don't sing to sheep and that messiahs aren't found wrapped in rags and sleeping in a feed trough.
Embrace a theology of mystery.
Saint Chrysostom (c. 347--407), archbishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking. He said children exhibit an innate sensitivity to mystery, an observation he applied to the Christmas story:
Tell a child the story of Bethlehem, the vigil of the shepherds, the quest of the Magi, the song of the angels and the babe in the manger. He drinks it all in. An adult, similarly situated, opens a discussion on what he is pleased to call the doctrine of the Incarnation. Tell a child the story of the Cross; he accepts it avidly, finding no difficulty anywhere. Relate to an adult the same impressive facts, and he will ask learnedly for a theory of the Atonement.
Express the Joy
Bethany Hamilton, once ranked as the best amateur teen surfer in Hawaii, lost an arm to a tiger shark in October 2003. Both her compassion and competitiveness, however, have reached a new level.
Soon after the attack she began to raise money to restore a man's eyesight. While visiting New York City, she gave her ski coat to homeless girl. When asked about the gift, she said she had more than she needed in life.
Referring to her competitiveness, a story in USA Today states: "As always, Hamilton remains undaunted. She has told her father that if having only one arm proved detrimental to reaching the top in competitive surfing, then she'd see about playing soccer."
Her pastor, Steve Thompson, said, "She's looking forward to the future. She's asking herself, 'How can I show the world I still have a life, that I enjoy my life, and that my life is filled with joy?'"
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Express Joy in how you relate to others
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
It has been often said that everyone is a little nicer at Christmas. That maybe true, but truly understanding the wonderful life we have in Christ should how we relate to people year round.
Ebenezer Scrooge reminds us of this. We know from Dickens' description of his most famous character's conversion that "He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world."
Appl: Imagine that this year the patience you show to others, the kindness you express to neighbors, was a reflection of the Lord's closeness in your life year round.
Express Joy in how you face distress
Adults are more likely to report headaches (53%)
upset stomach (41%)
tightness in the chest (21%).
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Appl: The stressors of the economy, bills, helath, family all these things will likely remain with us. Imagine if this Christmas we became so engaged with the Story, so enthralled with mystery, so overjoyed with the Good news that we experienced peace that guards our hearts and minds.
Express Joy in what you focus on
In every situation we have a choice as to what we focus on. What we focus on impacts what we perceive as reality.
What do you see in this unique perspective picture?
An old couple?
A chalice?
Do you see to Mexicans?
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Appl: What will be your focus? What will dictate your reality?
Will it be every negative thing? Every disappointment?
Or will you focus be on
* whatever is true,
* whatever is noble,
* whatever is right,
* whatever is pure,
* whatever is lovely,
* whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
* Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice.
SUMMARY
We celebrate our faith with the Cultivation and Expression of Joy on an everyday basis. How will you do it this Season?
We are going to give you another gift this morning. Another little Christmas reminder. His time it's a simple magnet. Place in on your refrigerator, in your car, on your file cabinet. And when you see it, remember it's your responsible to Cultivate and Express Joy this Christmas Season.
CHALLENGE
The Cultivation of joy begins with discovering a real relationship with Jesus. Do you have one? Do you know what it means to know him? Have you walked away form that relationship? Is it time tot return? I would love to talk with you abut these questions? If you'd like to talk to me I will be lingering here near the front as I close in prayer.
