Great Joy to All the People

2016

How Was Your Christmas?

Was there Joy?Was there Pain?

2015: How was it?

Was there Joy?Was there Sadness?Was there Peace?

My Vision for our Church in 2016:

The angel said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great

joy that will be for all the people.” (Lk 2:10)

My Vision for Us

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke

upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.

(Mt. 11:28-30

My Vision for Us

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 goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (I Pet. 1:8-9)

My Vision for Us

Walk in Paul’s shoes:

“sorrowful, yet always rejoicing”

“In all our troubles my joy knows no bounds”

“Rejoice in the Lord Always”Can we do this?

Rejoice has two aspects:1. To be glad2. To gladden or make someone else glad

We Can Do this! How?Three Keys to Victory:

1. Be in Jesus’ Presence

a. “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence” (Ps. 16:11)

b. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and praise” (Ps. 100:4)

c. “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10)d. Listen to his voice: “I am the good shepherd; I know my

sheep and my sheep know me . . . I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen . . . They too will listen to my voice” (Jn. 10:14-16).

2. Surrender Control, Agenda, and Anxiety

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (I Pet. 5:6-7)

3. Fix your eyes on Jesus

a. His joy overcame his situation:“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame”

b. He knew how to come back to joy with the Father when he encountered the six ugly distressing human emotions

The Six Ugly Distressing Feelings

1. Sadness2. Fear3. Disgust4. Shame5. Anger6. Hopeless Despair

Jesus’ Joy Victory

a. Example: Jesus in the Garden (Matt. 26:36-46) (1) Relational Circuits on(2) Surrendered Agenda

b. Jesus on the Cross(1) Despised the Shame of the Cross(2) Soldier’s Mockery(3) Relational Circuits-Mary, John, Thief

Jesus’ Joy Overcame AdversityInner and Outward Gladdening

1. Jesus’ internal joy empowered him to endure as he knew he would be back with the Father.

2. Jesus outward joy expression won the victory for us. Jesus communicated:

“I want you to be with me”“I will do what ever it takes”“You are worth it”

“Great Joy for All the People”Three Keys in 2016

1. Be in Jesus’ Presence2. Surrender Control, Agenda, and Anxiety3. Fix our eyes on Jesus

“Rejoice in the Lord Always”YES IT IS POSSIBLE!