Message 3: Joy

John

Family Christmas / Luke 1:39–56

Joy is the experience of the fullness of God

• People rejoice all the time. And rejoicing often always has a reason. When we are full of joy it is rarely for joy’s sake. Our joy is often aimed at something. We are joyful for a reason.

• Maybe a birthday

• or anniversary

• or holiday

• or relationship

• a promotion

• we rejoice.

What have you rejoiced in that turned out to be something else?

Joy is found in knowing that Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promise

Luke 1:41–45 ESV

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Joy is found in the purposes of God

• This moment, this simple greeting became a holy moment. A moment for worship.

• There was something additional in the greeting. The greeting itself becomes Holy because of what these women find in God.

– Elizabeth understands who exactly Jesus is in calling Him the Lord. The title, “Lord” occurs 25 times in ch 1 and 2 in the book of Luke. We are told right away who this is in Mary’s womb.

• Mary understood her purpose in God’s calling in her life. Elizabeth the same. Both had encountered God in the process. How has God shown you His purposes in your life?

John 17:13 ESV

But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

• These women understand that there is an incredible joy found in knowing God’s purpose in our lives.

Joy is found in the community of believers

Luke 1:39–42 ESV

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

– Joy is communal

• As Elizabeth speaks through the Spirit about the Christ, Mary responds with her song of Joy and triumph.

• The Jewish calendar is filled with feast days.

• Feast days are associated with rejoicing.

• We are called to rejoice not only in the purposes of God but also to do so together.

• What is one thing you can do this Advent Season to rejoice in Christ with the church?

Joy is the found in knowing God working in our lives

• Mary breaks into song at this point. And it is reminiscent of a song in the OT.

2 And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD.My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.  “There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.3  Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.4  The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength.5  Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.

• A triumphant, humble and rejoicing song to the Lord and is work.

Luke 1:49–54 ESV

for he who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

And his mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

and exalted those of humble estate;

he has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

• How are Mary and Hanna’s songs the same? How are they different?

Joy is found in the things that God has done. Joy is directly connected to the actions of God.

• Mary recognizes that in Christ

     • He scatters the proud

     • He has shown strength with His arm

     • He has revealed mercy for multitudes of generation.

     • He brings the mighty down

     • He remembers us in His mercy

• We can rejoice in the fact that Christ is the fulfillment of Gods promise.

     • and we are shown mercy

     • we are shown strength

     • we are shown great things

• Share with your group or write down one way you have experienced Christ through His mercy and strength

Joy begins when we begin to believe what God says is found in Christ.

• Our trust in Christ brings joy.

• What does it look like for you to rejoice in Christ?