Joy in the Lord

Third installment of my sermon on joy that I was unable to give due to a snowstorm. This is the third week of Advent when we focus on joy. I want you to know that I am not so naive to think that we will always be on the top of the world walking on the mountaintops. There will be occasions when we will have to travel in the valley for a while. Yet, God has provided for us in times of valley experiences by giving us that deep seated joy in the Lord.

·        In this life there will be difficulties.

·        In this life there will be sickness

·        hard times

·        discouragement

·        sorrow

·        grief

·        weeping

·        financial problems

·        dark days

·        uncertain times

But the thing that God has provided for us in the hard times of this life is JOY!

The angel said so: “I bring you glad tidings of great joy.”  Nehemiah said in the Old Testament “For the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Claim that strength.  Claim that joy.  You may not always be happy, but you will always have God’s joy.

What brings God’s joy? Salvation through Jesus Christ whose birth we will soon celebrate.

We are not filled with joy because of:

·        A new car

·        more money

·        a new house

·        a new job

But we have joy because we belong to God through Jesus.

What brings joy?  God alone and all God has done for us.