2022.12.11. Stewards of the Mysteries of GOD. JOY to the World-Advent
William Akehurst, HSWC
ADVENT – Hope, Preparation, Joy, Love
Let us be found faithful as we explore a “mystery” of GOD – HIS JOY
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
We as stewards of the mysteries of GOD desire to be found faithful. The message of CHRIST is a message of JOY to the world. We have been instruction to share it with the world around us.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
In sanctifying the LORD GOD in our hearts, we must take pause of the business of the Season to stop and think about what brings JOY in this time and season.
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalms 98
1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth:
make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp;
with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6 With trumpets and sound of cornet
make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
We must look to JESUS for JOY
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
THE LORD GOD IS MY EXCEEDING JOY
Psalms 43:3-5
3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
GOD GIVES JOY
Ecclesiastes 2:26a For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy
JOY is a FRUIT of HOLY SPIRIT
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
WE ATTAIN JOY IN OUR SALVATION
SALVATION IS OUR JOY
IF YOU LACK JOY - ASK GOD FOR IT!
Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
WITH JOY WE DRAW DEEP FROM THE WELLS OF OUR SALVATION
Isaiah 12:2-4 (KJV)
2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
JOY IN THE GOD OF MY SALVATION
Habakkuk 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
GOD’S JOY IS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD – TO ALL PEOPLE
Luke 2:8-11
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
TO THE WHOLE WORLD – FOR WHOEVER BELIEVES
John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
JESUS’ JOY BECOMES OUR JOY (compare Hebrews 12:2)
John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
OUR ASSIGNMENT – TELLING OTHERS OF THE GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY OF GOD’S GRACE
Acts 20:24 (NLT)
24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
DURING THIS SEASON OF CHRISTMAS, STOP AND TAKE PAUSE OF THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.
ILLUS: THE CHRISTMAS SCALE (search on youtube)
https://youtu.be/rNDtHdG5mVk
JESUS IS OUR JOY AND IS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD BECAUSE HE HAS COME!
At Christmas we celebrate the coming of Jesus and as believers we hold out for his return. But the truth is that the world changed at His coming and is the reason for the season.
There are many distractions that try to take the focus off of the Christ of Christmas, but we must stop and pause and reflect on the good news of Christmas, which is Jesus, who can change our lives if we let him.
Take a moment and reflect on psalm 98:1-9 which is about Christ’s return and the scriptures that inspired Sir Isaac Watts to compose “Joy To The World” and how the Joy of Jesus can change your/our Christmas this year. Not only that CHRIST has come, but that HE IS COMING AGAIN, and the Message of the Song must be heard.
SONG: JOY TO THE WORLD
BENEDICTION
Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that ye may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Jude 1:24-25
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
All scripture is KJV unless noted otherwise.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Bill
