INTRODUCTION
• PC VIDEO
• SLIDE #1
• There are many reasons for one to be joyful during the Christmas holiday. I know it can be a buy time, but where one stays centered on the reason for the season, how can one help but be filled with joy.
• If your Christmas season is simply chaos, maybe it is time to take some time to relax and re-focus.
• Today we are going to look at the candle of Joy!
• When God sent Jesus to us, He did so in order that we could experience joy in life.
• When we have in inner peace about life and where it is headed, we can experience joy.
• Later in Jesus’ ministry, He said He was here in part to bring joy!
• Joy is the inward feeling of happiness and contentment that bursts forth in rejoicing and praise.
• SLIDE #2
• John 15:11 (HCSB) — 11 “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
• When you examine those who follow man-made religions, do you see or even sense joy? Jesus came to bring joy into your life. Even when life gets difficult you can still have joy, joy that you know who you belong to and who is in control.
• Today we will look at the issue of joy as we examine the shepherds who were in the region that Jesus was born.
• From the story of the shepherds we will examine a couple of issues concerning joy.
• Let us turn to Luke 2, we will begin in verse 7.
• SLIDE #3
• Luke 2:7–12 (HCSB) — 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the lodging place. 8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 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: 11 Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”
• SLIDE #4
SERMON
I. Fear stifles one’s joy.
• One reason one can lack joy in life is fear. Fear stifles joy.
• When you consider your own life, do you experience joy when you are full of fear?
• When we are bogged down with fear, it is difficult to experience joy.
• Let’s look at the shepherds for a moment.
• Shepherds were common among the Jews; it was not an easy job it was wrought with dangers. It was a lowly job and shepherds were not held in high esteem.
• One should not romanticize the occupation of shepherds. In general shepherds were 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. They were in the fields which was typically done from April to November. Some rabbinic writings state that shepherds were in the fields between Jerusalem and Bethany in February according to commentator Leon Morris.
• 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. MacArthur New Testament Commentary, The - MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Luke 1-5.
• According to the Rabbinic Law, sheep were to be kept in the wilderness and any animal found between Jerusalem and the vicinity of Bethlehem was subject to being used as a sacrifice in the temple.
• It may be, then, that the sheep these shepherds were caring for were destined for that very purpose. (John MacArthur Jr. Luke Commentary)
• How ironic if this were true of these sheep. 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. (Daniel 8:15-18, 10:7-9, 16-17; Matthew 28:2-4; etc.…)
• Part of the fear sprung forth from the fact that it all happened with dramatic swiftness.
• 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. They had not seen him come.
• 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!
• 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: 11 Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”
• The message was meant to bring joy, but until the fear was removed, they would not be able to have joy.
• Do you find you life lacking joy, are you a Christian whose life is lacking joy? What are you fearing? Maybe you need to quit being afraid!
• Let’s look to verses 13-14
• SLIDE #5
• Luke 2:13–14 (HCSB) — 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!
• SLIDE #6
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 proclamations had declared (cf. 1:46–55, 67–79).
• This term is rich in Old Testament roots, especially as a figure for divine deliverance (Deut. 20:4; Josh. 22:22; Psalm. 24:5; 25:5; Isa. 25:9)
• 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!
• 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!
• 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 same phrase is used in 1 Kings 22:19
• SLIDE #7
• 1 Kings 22:19 (HCSB) Then Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and the whole heavenly host was standing by Him at His right hand and at His left hand.
• This is why all people can be filled with joy. Jesus may be lying in an animal trough, but heaven is present at his birth.
• The army of angels sing the praise of our great God!
• When we catch ta glimpse of who God is, it will give us great joy and lead us to praise Him.
• 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
• SLIDE #8
• Luke 2:15 (HCSB) When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
• SLIDE #9
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!
• When one has joy for the Lord, one will not sit and do nothing, they will be motivated to action.
• If you possess something that brings you great joy, do you think you would want to share that with others?
• They KNEW the LORD made something known to them, and now they were ready to go do something.
• God does not make something known to you only to have you do nothing with what He has given to you.
• The shepherds were given a great message. Notice the shepherds did not say, let us go and see if what we were told was true, they said, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
• They knew it was true, they wanted to see it, this would add to their joy!
• Do you think these men would ever be the same after this joyful encounter with the Lord’s army of angels?
CONCLUSION
• John MacArthur Jr stated concerning the shepherds:
• 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, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
• Their hopes and longings that the Redeemer would come had been realized, and their lives were marked by a newfound attitude of praise and worship.
• That same attitude characterizes all who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ, whom Paul describes as “the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:3). MacArthur New Testament Commentary, The - MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Luke 1-5.
• As you reflect on Christmas, what brings you joy? Family, presents, Santa Claus, or time off work?
• As wonderful as all those things are, might I suggest it the source of your JOY is not JESUS, you are missing something special!
• Church it is time that we show the people the candle of JOY in our lives!
• Joy is infectious, when people see your candle of JOY lit and shining brightly, they too will want to know the source of your JOY.
• Jesus is the reason for the season, Jesus is the reason for HOPE and JOY!
