The Promised Joy
Sermon preached by Pastor Steve Houser on December 24th. Part 5 of our 5 part Christmas series. (No Audio Available)
The Promised Joy
Happiness
The world tells you, do whatever makes you happy. At all cost pursue things that make you feel good. This philosophy is called hedonism and sets happiness up as the end all of life's short existence; the highest ambition that we can live for.
We see this message all over. TV commercials, bill boards, music, and books
The problem is that happiness is a moving target. On certain days one thing will make me feel happy, but other days that same thing will not work for my happiness
What makes us happy is constantly changing.
Emotions are tricky
Brokenness
Compound our unpredictable emotions with the brokenness of the world.
People fraught with
Dis-satisfaction
Negativity
Hurt
The Birth Of Joy
Humanity has a longing for something deeper. Wishing for a contentment and strength to take residence in our soul.
Christmas is a celebration of the birth of great Joy.
As the angels declared in Luke 2:10
Luke 2:10–11 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
The good news
Of Great joy
For all people
A Savior is born
The Joy of Salvation
Isaiah 12:1-3 You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Come to the waters of salvation, draw of the of the ocean of Christ's love, and drink deeply of the soul satisfying joy found only in Jesus.
