Advent Series Part 4…..Joy (Get Back To The Gift)
Speaker: Pastor CJ Cody
Scripture References: Luke 2 :8-11, John 15:9-12, Exodus 33;14-16, Psalm 16:11
SERMON RECAP
The third Advent candle representing JOY is the focus of celebration and remembrance as we reconnect with a sense of longing for our King Jesus’ birth, and prepare for His Second Coming. Luke 2:8-11, describes how the shepherds received the news (glad tidings) of Christ’s birth, with great JOY, which shall be to ALL people. The good news of the Savior’s birth was not intended only for the shepherds, nor just to the “lost sheep of Israel”, but to ALL people, including you and me.
But how do we acquire this great joy? How can we be joy-filled? John 15: 9-12 explains how:
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My JOY remain in you, and that JOY may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another.”
Notice the three things needed to have the joy filled life: First, we must abide, or remain, in His love. Remaining in His love means we are there for the long haul. It is not temporary or occasional, it is a committed love...in good times and bad. The second part to being joy filled is to keep His commandments, in other words, walk in obedience to His Word. This calls for submission of our will to the Father’s, just as Jesus submitted His will to the Father. Third, we are to love one another. This is not a superficial kind of love, but one that demands the sacrificial love Jesus showed us in laying down His life for us.(John 15): We demonstrate our love for one another when we carry each other’s burdens and serve one another. For this to happen, we need God’s empowerment, and presence, for without it, we can do nothing. Moses, while in the wilderness with the children of Israel, illustrates this point when he chose the wilderness with God’s presence rather than entering the Promised Land without it.
This Advent season ties directly with the Presence of God, and recognizing that without Him, we cannot experience the fullness that David proclaims in His Psalm. Come back to the gift of His presence and you will find everything that you need. His presence is here, RIGHT NOW. He’s here and coming back, simultaneously. Jesus is the only One who can claim to be in the past, the present and the future. Everywhere you look is Jesus.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What is your response to the sermon or recap as a whole?
2. What are the 3 components of a joy-filled life?
3. Which of the three components of joy do you find most challenging? Most rewarding?
4. What does it mean to you, to say that without God, you can do nothing?
5. What about remaining in God’s love, brings us joy?
6. What makes loving one another such a challenge?
7. Review and in a sentence or two, tell what the first 3 aspects of Advent so far...HOPE,
LOVE, and Joy mean to you.