Sermon: The Advent Candle Of Joy – Something To Shout About!

3. Believers Should Shout for Joy because of the Liberty Christ Provides. The great deliverance provided for the church comes through the blood of the everlasting covenant. It is called thy covenant, the church’s covenant because the blessings and benefits of the covenant belong to the church. They are hers, it comes through Christ, who is the great Covenant-head to his people. It begins in the transformed hearts of men. All the Old Testament sacrifices performed by the Jews were just a shadow of what Jesus Christ would do. Jesus comes to set the prisoners free once and for all time. Yes, all were in the same state of guilt and corruption, all were under sin, but now we all are called by divine grace, and quickened by the Holy Ghost to come forth out of the pit, wherein is no water, where they must be sure to perish miserably, unless relieved. And all who are brought out from there look back with wonder, love, and praise, when they consider the horrible pit from which the Lord hath drawn them. Psalms 40:1-3, David said it this way. “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” We really have something to shout about.

4. Believers Should Shout for Joy In Obedience to Christ. The prophet commands them to rejoice in the view of all these tremendous blessings. More than that, to rejoice greatly, all those who have seen the king in his beauty and are made partakers of his great salvation. While we may be living through a period where people around us have lost joy and hope, Christians have much for which to be thankful. We can stand firm in the joy of our Savior and on the hope of the gospel. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” That’s the reality of life in a fallen world. Yet He added, “But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

That’s also reality. For those of us who know Jesus, it’s the ultimate, wonderful reality! And we are called to tell people both sides of that reality: we live in a fallen world with sin and its consequences, but we have salvation from sin because our Savior has overcome the world.

As we close out this year, I want to encourage you that together we can relight the candles of hope, peace, love and joy during this advent season, and far beyond Christmas into the new year. We can rejoice in the Lord always. Because of the redemption Jesus brings, the kingdom He is building, the deliverance He provides and the great joy in our heart, we can shine brighter, build stronger, love longer, and bless more. Can you imagine the difference that could be made by all God servants who will shine as lights of joy around the world? We are equipped to proclaim the hope found in Christ and to strengthen others with biblical truth. Now that would be a true gift!