Life With the King, A Kingdom Christmas: Kingdom Joy (Romans 14:17; Luke 2:10-11)

Series: Life With the King: A Kingdom Christmas

Sermon: Kingdom Joy

Scripture: Romans 14:17; Luke 2:10-11

Date: December 16, 2018

 

For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  (Romans 14:17)

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."  (Luke 2:10-11)

 

1. Happiness protects your heart.
2. Happiness strengthens your immune system.
3. Happiness combats stress.
4. Happy people have fewer aches and pains.
5. Happiness combats disease and disability.
6. Happiness lengthens our lives.

The Bible told us this 2,7000 years ago in Proverbs 17:22:

• A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.
• A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.  (NIV)

"Happiness is a state of mind.  Joy is a state of the soul.  Happiness is circumstantial.  Joy can be experienced regardless of the circumstances.  Happiness is momentary, fragile.  Joy can be more constant.  Happiness is a by-product of being entertained.  Joy is a fruit of the Spirit."  -Rick Warren

The joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do...

Have I allowed Jesus Christ to introduce His joy to me?  His joy is in bringing joy to the Father and other people.

"Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation."  -Kay Warren

Let's look at kingdom joy today from three different viewpoints:

1. Joyful how
   • For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  (Romans 14:17)
   • Here is the big deal about kingdom joy: joy is a by-product of a healthy and growing relationship with Jesus.
   • God is for your joy!
   • Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  (Luke 2:10-11)
   • "Joy is a choice."  -Kay Warren
   • "The best news in the world is that there is no conflict between your greatest possible happiness and God's perfect holiness."  -John Piper
   • Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.  (Nehemiah 8:10b)
   • WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Ask Jesus what will make Him happy this Christmas.
   • Joy is a by-product of a healthy and growing relationship with Jesus.
2. Joyful holiness
   • Who is happier or more joyful than God?
   • We have the joy of a life well lived and the joy of pleasing God.
3. Joyful hope
   • Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  (1 Peter 1:8-9)
   • God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
   • Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
   • Have I allowed Jesus christ to introduce His joy to me?  His joy is in bringing joy to the Father and other people.