The Advent of Joy | Sunday, November 29, 2020

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light... For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end... (Isaiah 9:2–7)

In a strange and difficult year, the prophet's ancient words still ring true: the coming of Jesus is the coming of joy that no one can take away.

The Advent of Joy

In spite of all the chaos that has been 2020, it is still the most wonderful time of the year. I hope your Thanksgiving was joyful, whether spent with loved ones, socially distanced, or over Zoom. This season—from about September through the end of the year—is my favorite, and I think many people feel the same way. I know there have been a lot of additional stressors this year, but my hope is that your joy may be full.

For about the last ten years I've spent this season talking about joy, hope, love, and peace—all the great truths the Bible speaks of in the things we celebrate at Christmas. Within our churches and our western culture we sing that traditional carol, "Joy to the World." It is important to remind ourselves that one of the things Christmas speaks of is exactly that: the advent of joy.

This is what the prophet Isaiah spoke of some 2,800 years ago when he prophesied the coming of the Messiah. Notice that the coming of this Child, this Son who would be given, brings great joy—joy like bringing in a huge harvest. We don't live in an agrarian society, but imagine bringing in a large Christmas bonus; that would bring an increase of joy. Or joy like being released from a huge burden, the way you feel when you pay off a loan and become debt-free. The joy Isaiah describes is even greater than that.

Joy to the World

The words "for unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given" appear on many Christmas cards this time of year. We have recognized for a very long time that these words speak of Jesus, some 700 years before His advent. His coming brings joy to this world.

For the Christian, this should make us want to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas all the more, and it should encourage us to share this reality with others who don't yet know it. Even if it is cliché, it is still true: Jesus is the reason for the season, and we should be bold to share that—especially if we have experienced the joy and peace His coming brings.

Happiness, Joy, and Eternity

There is sometimes a discussion about the difference between happiness and joy. I'm not entirely sure the distinction is all that important, but one common observation is that happiness is tied to happy happenings and experiences, whereas joy can be experienced independent of circumstances.

Four hundred years ago the French philosopher Blaise Pascal observed that all men seek happiness. I believe this is true—the pursuit of happiness is even enshrined in our Declaration of Independence. But while all of us seek happiness and joy, we find these things fleeting; they quickly pass away. So we feel as though we are seeking something that lasts only a short time before it disappears, and we are on a never-ending pursuit for something we'll never fully apprehend.

But the joy Jesus brings is promised to be increasing unto abundance for eternity. That is why David wrote in Psalm 16:

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

The path of life is Jesus, who said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." So Jesus promises increasing joy unto abundance for eternity—a joy that abounds forever and carries us through both happy and not-so-happy times.

Joy in the Midst of Trials

The one who has the hope of increasing, eternal joy can endure even difficult seasons like 2020, experiencing joy in the midst of them with an inner assurance of God's presence. When Jesus faced the worst suffering anyone could imagine—the cross—He spoke of sorrow being turned into joy (John 16:20). He promised that His joy would remain in His disciples and that their joy would be full (John 15:11), and that this joy was something no one could take from them (John 16:22). All of this came in the lead-up to His betrayal and crucifixion, and yet He was encouraging His disciples about a fullness of joy in Him that could never be taken away.

It is this kind of joy that makes it possible for the follower of Jesus to do what James says—to "count it all joy when you encounter various trials" (James 1)—because even in trials we recognize that God is accomplishing an eternal work. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

I often take for granted that everyone knows these things, but the fact is many people in our church and society do not know what the Bible teaches about joy and the gospel. The advent of Jesus is the advent of joy, and the joy He promises is ever-expanding and eternal.

The First Key: Gratitude

One of the keys to unlocking this joy in this life is, of course, the gospel. But a second key is gratitude. If you are pursuing happiness as all people do and finding it elusive, the first step is to realize these things are ultimately found in Jesus alone. The second step is to understand they are unlocked in our lives as we give thanks to God.

Years ago the radio host Dennis Prager wrote a book called Happiness Is a Serious Problem, in which he wrote: "Yes, there is a secret to happiness, and it is gratitude. All happy people are grateful, and ungrateful people cannot be happy. We tend to think that being unhappy leads people to complain, but it is truer to say that complaining leads people to become unhappy. Become grateful and you will become a much happier person." I think he is on to something.

This is why the New Testament teaches us to be grateful even in difficult times. In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul gives three very short, memorable commands: "Rejoice always" (v. 16), "Pray without ceasing" (v. 17), and in verse 18, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." In 2020—through coronavirus, job losses, economic downturns, and political disappointments—Paul says, in everything give thanks. As you pray continual prayers of thanksgiving, God will increase your joy.

Give Thanks, for He Is Good

Paul also tells the Ephesians to give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have found that even when I'm frustrated or upset, if I stop, pray, and begin thanking God for the good things He has done in my life, He increases my joy.

The psalmist repeatedly commands, especially in Psalms 105, 106, 107, and 118, "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." Joy is not going to come through a new relationship, a new car, a new dog, a new house, a new job, or a new presidential administration. Why? Because breakups come, the new car gets totaled, the dog dies, the house needs constant repairs, companies downsize, and presidents fail. But the mercy of God endures forever, and His joy is eternally increasing for those who trust Him. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, and your gratitude will unlock greater joy even during challenging seasons.

The Second Key: Generous Giving

Not only does gratitude unlock joy, but so does generous giving. Paul alludes to this when he quotes Jesus in Acts 20:35, speaking to the leaders of the church at Ephesus: "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Through this challenging season, many have been devastated by coronavirus and its economic fallout. Because of your commitment to Cross Connection Church, we've been able to support families in our own congregation, just as Paul describes. One family we recently helped wrote back: "We are very touched by your care and concern... It is humbling. It feels much better to give than to receive. But we are very grateful to have such caring friends... that you continue to faithfully pray for us is evident of the love of Jesus at work in all of your hearts." I love that they recognized it is more enjoyable to give—it is a reminder that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

The Joy of the Macedonians

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul writes: "Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in His kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will... Their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us."

The Macedonian Christians, in the midst of severe trials and extreme poverty, had an overflowing joy that welled up in rich generosity. Gratitude unlocks our experience of joy even amid difficult trials—and so does generous giving. Many of you who are members here are generous givers and know this is true. Jesus is not a liar; it is more blessed to give than to receive, and you have experienced that blessing yourselves.

A Word About Giving Tuesday

Now I'm going to do something I rarely do. Last Thursday was Thanksgiving, Friday was Black Friday, and tomorrow is Cyber Monday. This coming Tuesday is what has come to be known as Giving Tuesday—a day set aside, in response to the consumerism of the post-Thanksgiving season, to encourage people to give.

I would ask you to prayerfully consider giving to Cross Connection Church as we prepare to finish 2020 and get ready for 2021. This ministry doesn't exist without you—without your prayers first and foremost, without your service, and also without your giving. You can give at give.lifeinconnection.com or by mail to the church address.

Out of the Chaos

As we head toward Christmas, I'm looking forward to all that God is going to do. It was out of chaos that God brought forth the beauty and goodness of creation, and I believe it is out of the chaos of 2020 that God will do exceedingly abundantly more than we can imagine in the coming weeks, months, and years.

There is still much uncertainty in many hearts and minds, but God is still on the throne and working mightily. Jesus promised He would build His church and that the powers of hell would not prevail against it—and that is still true. My prayer is that the God of hope will fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

May your joy increase this Christmas season as you pursue the abundant and eternal joy found only in Christ. May you experience His joy unto fullness as you give thanks—for gratitude increases joy—and as you give generously, for it is more blessed to give than to receive. Joy is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5), evidence that God is within you. May God fill you to overflowing so that His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control overflow toward the co-workers, neighbors, friends, and family members who don't yet know the joy and peace found in Jesus Christ. Even amid the crowds and stressors of this season, may the peace, patience, joy, and self-control of God overflow from us to others.

Closing Prayer

Father God, I thank You so much for Your church, for Cross Connection Church. I ask that You would pour out afresh and anew, in abundance, Your Holy Spirit upon Your church, and that these things we're talking about would overflow from our lives—that we would be a conduit of Your love, Your joy, Your peace, and Your grace to others. Lord, teach us how to be a grateful and thankful people, that Your fullness of joy would abound in us. Teach us how to be selfless and giving, just as You are. Pour out a blessing upon Your church wherever they are. I pray for those watching who are not yet connected to our church—draw them nearer to You during this time, that they would experience Your presence in a greater way, and that in Your presence they would find fullness of joy and at Your right hand pleasures forevermore. We ask this in Jesus' name, amen.

And now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. God bless you.