Series: 24
Week: 3
Passage: Luke 2:7-15
Title: Week 3 – The Candle of Joy
Focus: Christmas
ADVENT BACKGROUND: There are often many symbols used to represent Advent from various churches of many denominations. An evergreen wreath is a solid staple followed by four to five candles. The wreath is a symbol of Christ’s perfection (complete). The evergreen meaning eternal life and the light from the candles often times represent the light of Jesus Christ. Each of the candles has a different meaning.
• The first candle represents the anticipation of Christ coming (anticipation of Christ coming for those in OT and coming again for those living in NT).
• Note: This candle is sometimes tied in with the second candle. We learned this week…
o Jesus as the “Righteous Branch” (Jeremiah 23:5)
o The Righteous Advents (1 & 2 Coming of Jesus – Jer. 23:6)
o Anticipation of the Righteous King (Jeremiah 23:7–8)
• The second candle is a candle of hope (preparation). We learned two ways to prepare here…
o Prepare by Repenting (Luke 3:3)
o Prepare by Clearing the Way (Luke 3:4-6)
• The third candle is a candle meaning joy.
• The forth candle is a candle representing purity (or love).
• The last candle (usually white to distinguish between the other candles) is the candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day representing Christ on as the fulfillment of what is promised in the first four candles.
Depending on which circle one grew up these candles have been known to move from week to week depending on the denomination. The color of the candles often varies but most common are purple, pink and white.
Title: Week 3 – The Candle of Joy (Luke 2:7-15)
#1: The Joy of the Lord is the Fear of the Lord (Luke 2:8-9)
o Explanation: There were shepherds looking after their flocks when suddenly the angel of the Lord appears. In the Bible, the angel of the Lord was either a blessing or a curse.
o THE BAD: The angel of the Lord put a curse on Meroz, because they refused to come to the help of the Lord. (Judges 5:23).
o The angel of the Lord put to death 185,000 Assyrian soldiers saving Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35).
o THE GOOD: Angel of the Lord visits Hagar after fleeing Sarai (Genesis 16:7-14).
o The angel of the Lord commissioned Joshua and Moses to undertake the Lord's battles (Joshua 5:13-15 and Exodus 3:5).
o The angel of the Lord stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac (Genesis 22:11-18).
• NOTE: Before Jesus, there is really no mention of the angel of the Lord as Christ the Messiah himself is this person who speaks for us. The shepherds had no idea whether to be terrified or filled with joy until the angel of the Lord spoke.
o Illustration: This terror is similar in little children, as they often fear discipline from parents in the early stages of development.
o Application: The same is true in our relationship with God. Believers often question to fear or have joy when Christ comes. It can be a terrifying thing when God starts speaking to us. Should we be afraid when God calls or should we have an attitude of joy?
o Those Who Don’t Believe: Yes! Be terrified! The wrath of God is communicated numerous times in scripture. Those who have not called upon the Lord are destined for judgment that will lead to an everlasting separation from God (Luke 12:5 and Hebrews 10:31).
o Those Who Believe: NO! Be filled with joy! The fear of God turns unhealthy fear into an adoration and reverence of God. It is the motivating factor for surrender and the beginning of knowledge (Romans 1:7). A biblical fear of the Lord means we understand how much God hates sin (Hebrews 12:5-11) and how He has promised those who believe in Him that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). God will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5)! God has come and He is coming again! Rejoice!
• There is NO reason to be scared of God because the fear of God is respecting Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshipping Him in awe.
#2: The Joy of the Lord is the Salvation of the Lord (Luke 2:10-11)
o Explanation: The angel of the Lord’s message was one of comfort. Instantly the shepherds are told to not be afraid (Luke 1:13 and 30) because the Messiah has been born. There means great joy!
o What is Joy? Joy is an outward “intense” expression of something that happening internally. Joy is seen in the life of the individual believer as well as in the cooperate assembly (church). Joy comes from the Lord, as God’s desire is that we delight in Him (Psalm 16:11; Philippians 4:4 and Romans 15:13). Joy is a characteristic of the Christian’s life on earth (1 Peter 1:8) and an in eternity in the kingdom of heaven (Revelation 19:7).
• Old Testament: Isaiah associates joy with the fullness of God’s salvation of who we will be in Christ (Isaiah 49:13 and 61:10).
• New Testament: Paul uses the term joy (chara) in three ways.
• Coming to know and grow in a relationship with Christ. (1 Thessalonians 2:19 and Philippians 2:2).
• The outcome of suffering for Jesus (Colossians 1:24; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 4:13 and Hebrews 10:34), and
• The gift of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
o Illustration: Joy is the byproduct of obedience!
o Application: The shepherds experience the joy of the Lord because of their obedience! Every believer is called upon to share in the joy of Christ. We rejoice with joy just as much as the shepherds did when they heard the message from the angel of the Lord. The joy of Jesus is for ALL people! Why? “For unto US is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) Therefore…
o Rejoice in the fact that we not only have knowledge of Jesus Christ but know with joy God’s glorious salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:16; Philippians 3:1; 4:4; 1 Peter 1:8).
o Walk daily in rejoicing with joy that the Lord has come and will come again.
#3: The Joy of the Lord is an Opportunity for Another (Luke 2:12-15)
o Explanation: The angel of the Lord was not alone. A great company of other angels who praised God for His provision joined the angel. This news of Christ’s birth was to be proclaimed to all the people! Luke made it a point to show us that this Messiah would be for all mankind if they would choose to believe.
o “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
o "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
o “This One is indeed the Savior of the world.” John 4:42
o “We have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers." 1 Timothy 4:10
o "He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." 1 John 2:2
o "And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world." 1 John 4:14
o Illustration:
o Application: God’s peace is not given to those who have good will, but to those who are recipients of God’s good will or favor. We must choose to walk in the Lord and thus our opportunity to enter into a relationship with Christ is the opportunity to share Christ with those in our lives. The message of Jesus was not meant to be kept quite! Christian are to rejoice and show the world their joy so that others can experience what we understand if they would choose what we have!
CONCLUSION: This is a season of joy! Let us rejoice over the fact that God has sent His Son and He will come again for us His people! Let us fear Him with the proper fear that propels us to worship Him more! Let us be joyful because the creator of the universe has restored us from our sinful state! Let us proclaim the message of Christ so that others can have the joy that we have!
