A Place Of Grace
12-14-2025
Luke 2:10–11NASB95
1 Peter 1:6–9NASB95
- We come to the Advent or Coming of JOY… HOW DO DEFINE JOY???That which brings gladnessIt is something found in the heart of a personThe heart’s state of BEINGIt is a condition of the heart (it is an emotion, something felt)It stems from a CAUSE or SOURCE!!!Here is a question to begin with today...What Is the Source or Cause of Your Joy? What Defines Your Joy?Is it FEELINGS…Is it your EMOTIONS…Is it dependent on your SITUATIONS…Is it determined by CIRCUMSTANCES…Is it found in PEOPLE…Being that it’s Christmas, Is it present for SEASONS…Here is a graph of those things from your past weekOR…Can the SOURCE be found in something or someone that is unchangingIs there a CAUSE so immense that the supply of JOY is never ending (say ETERNAL!)“Tuesday”Joy… last week I shared what my perspective was on “joy like a fountain”This is the fountain… hardly trickles, thirsting for more, disappointmentHow do we have joy that burst forth fresh and powerful… never ending!!!I thought of another song this week from my childhood“I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart… where?!”The end of that song was heard and understood wrongI sang it “Tuesday” rather than the correct form of “To Stay”How sad to have joy only on Tuesday… and why of all days… TUESDAY!?Truth is that, while we may not all sing the words wrong, many of us have that same wrong perspective of joy…A Joyous “Season”… joy for a season?Right now we look around and find decorations that say ”joy to the world”, I had breakfast this week and the restaurant had ginger bread men (???) hanging on the wall in festive attire with “Joy, Joy, Joy” under them.Phrases like “this is such a joyous season” or “this is a joyful time of year”.Why is joy for a season, why does joy happen at certain times?I would propose that it is because we equate “joy” to the wrong sources or causes…When Christ came, (His first Advent)… it was surrounded by “JOY”… great emotion was present but I want us to look at the SOURCE and CAUSE…Joy Surrounding Christ’s ComingI love the carol we sing "Joy to the world”, why is there joy?… “the Lord has come, let earth receive her King!” in brief today I want us to look at the joy surrounding the coming of Jesus Christ…John in womb & Elizabeth… found in Luke 1:41
Luke 1:41 NASB95 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.Notice they are expresses joy over what God has done and Who is coming!Mary mother of Jesus… expresses joy not over her circumstances (these were difficult)Rather… IN THE LORD and HIS WORK Luke 1:46-55Luke 1:46–55 NASB95 And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. “And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him. “He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. “He has filled the hungry with good things; And sent away the rich empty-handed. “He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.”Angel declared in his message Luke 2:10-11 joy is coming, has come, and it is available for ALL menLuke 2:10–11 NASB95 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.Simeon & Anna, anticipation brings joy… and joy they behold in the baby Jesus Christ brings worship!!! ( Luke 2:21-38 )Even the Magi from the East years later would expressed JOY...There is however two others who had JOY at that first coming that I want us to consider…Jesus Had Joy… & Is JoyAll the excitement, joy, celebration surrounding the Advent… the coming of the promised Messiah and there was no joy greater than that of Jesus.Jesus … for the joy set before Him… endured the cross. It was a joy for him to set aside His place as God, step into humanity and shed His blood fort your sin and mine.Hebrews 12:2 states that Jesus came with JOY!!! and Philippians 2:8-9 we see he came willingly, as man, for our sin!Hebrews 12:2 NASB95 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Philippians 2:8–9 NASB95 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,Ponder this… at the Advent of Jesus Christ, there was no greater joy felt and expressed than that of our Savior Jesus Christ who came for you and I to restore the broken relationship caused by our sin.Consider the Heavenly Father’s Joy that permeates Heaven over what His Son did in coming…Heaven’s JoyBeing a parent around the Christmas season is a special thing. As a father or mother you get to choose a gift, wrap it up, and present it to the child. As you see them unwrap it, the smiles, the excitement… the excitement and joy of the one receiving the gift doesn't compare to the gift giver!IMAGINE the Joy in Heaven, the Joy of the Father, sending His Son wrapped in a manger… AND THEN as He sees the gift of Joy in by those receiving His Son…Isaiah 53:10-11 along with Luke 15:7 and Luke 15:10Isaiah 53:10–11 NASB95 But the Lord was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities.Luke 15:7 NASB95 “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.Luke 15:10 NASB95 “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”The celebration that must take placeThe smile on the Father’s faceTo even fathom the JOY of Jesus as the Son of God and God the Father having JOY over His coming to deal with mankind’s sin is enough to source my joy for eternity! Joy to the world, the Lord has come!… Joy to stay!Joy To StayJesus states that the things He taught and did for us were that we would (POSSES) Joy to the fullest! John 15:11John 15:11 NASB95 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.When He died all joy lost… yet, the Resurrection brought Joy Eternal… TO STAY!!! John 16:22John 16:22 NASB95 “Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.JOY… It was not a season or a feeling… it is found in the person of Jesus ChristWe are extended the gift of an Eternal relationship with HimOur Joy should stimulate WORSHIP! Just as it did at His coming!As we worship Him, let us come to His table this morning with Joy.Understanding that this gift is so that you and I can “have joy”…I find joy in the fact that in receiving Christ gift of His sacrifice we bring joy to the Father… I can only imagine the sorrow it brings Him by those who reject this gift. Luke 1:41NASB95
Luke 1:46–55NASB95
Luke 2:10–11NASB95
Hebrews 12:2NASB95
Philippians 2:8–9NASB95
Isaiah 53:10–11NASB95
Luke 15:7NASB95
Luke 15:10NASB95
John 15:11NASB95
John 16:22NASB95
1 Peter 1:6–9NASB95
A Place Of Grace
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