2003 Christmas Series
JESUS "I OFFER TRUE JOY"
Hope Christian Church
December 28, 2993
Dr. David L. Haun
CHRISTMAS - GOOD FOR HEALTH. According to Dr. Harry Sands, director of the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health in New York, the Christmas season can be an emotional pressure valve for us. We need it to release feelings that most of us contain the rest of the year. Dr. Sands writes, "These feelings - compassion, concern, joy, a desire to reach out and touch someone - are in all of us all the time. However, the day-to-day pressures in our society are so great that we don’t stop doing other things to express our feelings. But once a year, when Christmas comes around, we’re able to give vent to those feelings - and it’s good for us. Christmas allows us to connect with each other on an emotional level." (1)
Almost 105 years ago during the Christmas Season, a preacher by the name of Charles Spurgeon preached a sermon on the true joy of Christmas. The sermon took well over an hour to preach. (2) Today, I would like to share with you. what I gained from this hundred year old message, for in all those years the truth of this message for our need has never changed.
I.
THE TRUE JOY OF CHRIST DOES NOT COME FROM THE USUAL EXPECTED SOURCES
A. True Joy Doesn’t Come from Possessions. The Babe had none.
... Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. Luke 9:58 (NIV)
This Christmas season we have seen the reruns of Ebenezer Scrooge, whose goal in life was wealth and position - at least until Jacob Marley showed him the futility of his life. Possessions just won’t make it.
The height of man’s absurd search for possessions was reported by Psychology Today magazine in a contest they called Scamarama, asking their readers to send in a creative scam. They printed their winners. The grand prize was titled: WISH YOU WERE BORN RICH? NOW YOU CAN BE! If you are one of the growing millions who are convinced of the reality of reincarnation, here’s a once-in-a-lifetime offer! First, leave us $10,000 or more in your will. After you pass away, our professional medium will contact your spirit in the other world. Then you tell us when you’re coming back and under what name. Upon your return, we regress you, at age 21 through hypnosis to this lifetime and ask you for your seven-digit account number. Once you give us the number, we give you a check on-the-spot for your original investment plus interest! The longer you’re gone the more you will receive! You may come back to find yourself a billionaire! Show your future self how much you care-leave a generous "welcome-back" present. We’ll take care of the rest. ( 3 )
Tony Klinedinst has written, "When you have nothing left but God, then you become aware that God is enough." ( 4 )
B. True Joy Doesn’t Come From Position. The early believers sought none.
In this new life one’s nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing. Whether a person has Christ is what matters, and he is equally available to all. Col. 3:11 (TLB)
We live in a world that glorifies "winning." Whether it’s position, power, recognition or acceptance, our goal is to achieve a position of acceptance and worth.
The problem with "position" is that it tends to be based on what other people think, not what really is true. Eric Hoffer, a social philosopher, who won the Presidential Medal of Honor, taught that however much we guard against it, we tend to shape ourselves in the image others have of us. And living our lives in that way comes from a lack of true meaning in one’s own life. ( 5 )
C. True Joy Doesn’t Come From Philosophy. Christ’s Birth and Ministry was Centered in the Simplicity of Common People and Life.
Few [called by Christ] would have been considered wise in the world’s eyes. Few were powerful or influential decision makers. Few were wealthy. Among the earliest disciples, five were fishermen, one was a tax collector, and the careers of the rest are unknown. None (with the possible exception of Matthew) had the status of education or wealth. ... God does not seek out the people whom the world admires; instead, he reveals himself to humble and searching hearts, regardless of their worldly position. God can use us no matter what our position or status. To the worldly wise, it would have made more sense for God to call the leaders and the influential people. But God does what seems foolish to the world -- he calls those who do not have these characteristics and achievements (6)
There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Prov. 16:25 (NAS)
D. True Joy Doesn’t Come From Peace - That First Century was a time of Persecution and Danger.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
There will ever be wars and rumors of wars. The world has been seeking peace for uncounted centuries: WW I, WW II, Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq. The list goes on -- all striving for peace, and none of them ever achieving it. Perhaps that’s why a Christian named Max Redman wrote that in whatever lift brings, he is going to choose to say "Blessed be your name."
Blessed be Your name...
When the sun’s shining down on me,
When the world’s "all as it should be."
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name,
On the road marked with suffering,
Though there’s pain in the offering.
Blessed be Your name
You [choose to] give and [choose to] take away.
My heart will always choose to say,
"Lord, blessed be Your name." (7)
E. True Joy Doesn’t come from celebrations and festivities. That Stable, Upper Room and Empty Tomb were Quiet.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Rom. 14:17-18 (NIV)
II.
FROM WHERE DOES THE TRUE JOY OF CHRIST COME ?
A. True Joy Comes From Alertness. The Wisemen studied and searched.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2
What a fitting new year’s resolution: A Habit of Bible Reading. If you’ve never done it, start with one chapter a day.
B. True Joy Comes from Awareness. The Shepherds listened and responded.
They gave three years in faithfulness
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV)
What a fitting new year’s resolution: Commit to be faithful in worship. Not just when convenient etc.
C. True Joy Comes From Allegience. Early Believers Followed, and Celebrated Even in the Face of Persecution.
And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. II Cor 8:1-2 (NIV)
There are two kinds of people in the world. The "Can-dos" and the "Will-dos." Everyone can do something, but not everyone is willing to persevere and be a will-do something. -unknown (8)
What a fitting new year’s resolution: To determine in our relationship with Christ, to be a "will do" person...
CLOSING SCRIPTURAL THOUGHT John 15:9-11; 22b-28
9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ... I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
25 "Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father." (NIV)
FOOTNOTES
(1) Preaching. Vol. 1, #3. from SermonCenral.com We need to release the joy that Christmas symbolizes.
(2) from: PC Bible Study, (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)
(3) Submitted by B. C. Milligan, Poughkeepsie, New York In AutoIllustrator.com
(4) Quoted by Maude Royden in SermonCentral.Com .
(5) Freedomsnest.com
(6) (The Life Application Commentary Series (C) 2000 by the Livingstone Corporation. Tyndale House Publishers. Biblesoft Inc.)
(7) SermonCentral.com
(8) John Stevens, quoted in SermonCentral.com
