God's Gift of Joy
- Rev. Jerry Lepasana
- Dec 25, 2005
- Series: All I Want for Christmas
All I Want for Christmas: (Part IV)
GOD'S GIFT OF JOY
Luke 8:8-15
- And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
- An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
- But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
- Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
- This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
- Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
- "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
- When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
I do believe that by this time many of us have already received and opened most of our Christmas gifts. As far as our kids are concern, Christmas mornings are exciting because they get to open all of their gifts. I hope they all feel so blessed because of their many gifts. Chances are, if they were in the Philippines, they will not receive as much.
Now, with the gifts we all have received, which of them stood out from the rest? And what made it stand out? Is it because of the giver? the beauty? Or the price? Have you really considered what makes a gift special?
In our messages this month, it has been my utmost desire to present Jesus as the most special gift everyone should receive this Christmas. He is God's priceless gift who brings life and hope to those who will believe in Him. This morning, I would like to conclude this series, All I Want for Christmas, and speak about another significant blessing that God wants to share to mankind through Jesus Christ. This blessing was declared by the angel who announced to the shepherds who were in the hills watching their sheep at the night the Messiah was born. He expressed it in these words, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."
Without a doubt, Jesus was designed to bring great joy into our lives. This joy is so different with the happiness that the world knows. Allow me to put this in perspective. I know Christmas is such a joyous time. With all the decorations, lights, Christmas songs, and special gatherings; we can be very happy. But when all the festivities have ended, would you still be happy? Would you still have the joy beyond the holidays, or beyond the happenings? Our faith in Christ brings such a joy, a real joy which comes only from God. Looking at this Christmas passage, I would like to share to you at least three things that can lead to this kind of joy:
I OUR PARDON IN CHRIST: (v11)
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
When the angel appeared to the shepherds, he made it very clear to them that they ought to rejoice because the Savior has been born. Now, this was big news! Remember, the faithful Jews had long been waiting for the arrival of the Messiah. Finally, the Savior has arrived.
Think of the blessing of having a Savior? I believe the only way, we can appreciate this idea is to understand the effects of sin in our lives. One of the major effects of sin is man's alienation or isolation from God. Because of sin, the fellowship that man had with God in the Garden of Eden was destroyed. Man was cut-off from the presence of God. Notice how God talked about this through the prophet Isaiah.
- Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
- But your iniquities have separated you from your God your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
Sin is barrier between God and man. But because of Jesus Christ, forgiveness is available for us. Listen to King David expressed his joy when God forgave him:
- Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
- Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.
The word, "Blessed" literally suggest "Being joyful." You see, we can truly rejoice because Christ's humble birth in Bethlehem was the initial step towards the fulfillment of God's plan for forgiveness. Because of Jesus Christ, we have the assurance that our sin will no longer stand in the way between us and God. Thank God, He is willing to give us absolute pardon in Christ. Here is a great verse about our forgiveness:
- Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."
II OUR PRAISE IN CHRIST: (v. 14)
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Another source of joy for us as believers is to consistently recognize that we are recipients of great favors because we are in Christ.
During this amazing night, the lowly shepherds had the privilege of seeing the company of angels praise God for being the source of our great salvation. He deserves the highest praise for providing Jesus Christ who will be our access to God's inexhaustible blessings. The apostle Paul had the same mindset when he wrote to the Galatian believers:
- So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
The verse is clear that only those who have faith in Christ are blessed. Again, you encounter the same word. Our position in Christ ought to be a source of joy.
- Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Examining this verse, we can find a practical application in the life of Paul. The book of Philippians was written by Paul while he was in prison in Rome. Despite his situation, he was able to rejoice because he knew that his present situation does not affect his position in the Lord. He still can be assured that God's favor rests in Him.
In the book, The Savior's Touch, Charles Stanley wrote about a large portrait of Daniel in the lion's den in his study room. He said that this has become a real encouragement to him every time he is going through tough times because of the way Daniel was portrayed while he was surrounded by the lions. The painting shows that his eyes were fixed on the Lord, and not on the lions.
We, as believers can continue to rejoice in the midst of our trying times when we are able to keep our focus on the Lord who is the source of our salvation.
- You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
III OUR PROCLAMATION IN CHRIST: (vs. 17,20)
Going back to verse 10, the shepherds were told that this is a great new of great joy to all people. So, when they have seen the Messiah and were able to confirm the validity of the news, they were not able to contain themselves. With great joy, they shared to everyone the good news.
- When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
- The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told.
I'm sure that they counted it as a great privilege to be the first ones to know about the arrival of the Messiah. With great joy, they shared everything to everyone.
As believers, we too have story to tell. We are commanded to proclaim the good news about Christ.
- But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
The truth of the matter is we can receive great joy in proclaiming the good news. One Psalmist illustrates the sharing of the gospel to planting seeds. While planting is difficult, there is always joy come harvest time.
- Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
- He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Why is it important to God that we declare the Lord Jesus Christ to others? Because God loves everyone. He does not want anyone to perish because of their sins.
- The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Beloved, there is no other gift at Christmas time that is more important than the gift God has given us today. Someone puts it in these words:
"We would not find it under the Christmas tree. You can only find it at the foot of the cross where Jesus died for you."
The hymn says, "Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her king." Joy has come to the world, because the Lord of Joy has come. But if joy is to be experienced by the world, then the world must receive their king. May none of us miss it!