Advent Week 3: Three Dimensions of Joy

INTRODUCTION:

Today, we will look at THREE DIMENSIONS OF JOY:

• Joy as a Feeling
• Joy as Faith
• Joy as Fuel

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JOY AS A FEELING

JOY AS A FEELING is the Natural Emotional Response To Good News.

Luke 2:10–20 (ESV)

“This joy was not manufactured joy…” – Pastor Billy Johnson

This joy is for all people.

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Joy at the first Christmas:

• The Angel Speaking to the Shepherds
  Luke 2:10–12 (ESV)
  ¹⁰And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
  ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
  ¹²And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

• Heaven Rejoicing
  ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
  ¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

• The Shepherds Rejoicing
  ²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

 

JOY AS FAITH

JOY AS FAITH IS Joy While the Story Is Still Unfolding

 

James 1:2–4 (ESV)

²Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

³for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

⁴And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 

“James doesn’t tell the believers to feel joy, he says to count.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

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Joy as Faith Begins with A DECISION in the Trial
You don’t have to respond negatively to whatever is happening to you at the time.

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Joy as Faith Understands the DESIGN FOR the Trial

Have a good attitude today.  The circumstances may not necessarily be good.

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Joy as Faith Trust the DESTINY AFTER the Trial –

“Mature, Seasoned and fit for God’s presence.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

God will always outlast you.

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DECLARE IT:  I COUNT IT ALL JOY!

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JOY AS FUEL

JOY AS FUEL IS Joy That Carries Us Forward

 

Hebrews 12:1–2 (ESV)

¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

²looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Joy as fuel moves us to a place of motivation.

 

 JOY

• SUSTAINS OBEDIENCE
• STRENGTHENS ENDURANCE
• KEEPS BELIEVERS MOVING FORWARD

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CONCLUSION

John 15:11 (ESV)

¹¹These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.