What is God like? His glorious universe above gives us a glimpse. His imaging bearing people around the world reveal more. The Bible pull back the curtain even more about God. Yet, when Christ was born those who saw Him made declarations like, “we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” and “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, He has made him known” and “He is the image of the invisible God.” Christ has come to show us what God is like. Tonight we celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus to whom we can look to see most clearly what God is like.
Sermons on Advent 2016
Joy takes center stage at Christmas. We sing Joy to the World, we call it a season of joy and we celebrate the night when an angel of the Lord brought shepherds “good news of great joy.” What is joy? John Piper rightly says, “According to the Bible joy is a good feeling in the soul produced by the Holy Spirit as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ through his word and his world.” On this 4th Sunday of Advent we consider 3 reasons, revealed in Psalm 98 and verse 4 of Joy to the World, why beholding Christ awakens joy in us. If there is room for more joy in your soul today, these Jesus-exalting realities may be just what you need.
The 3rd verse of Joy to the World is probably the least known verse. Often when we sing the song, it’s left out altogether. Verse 3 is distinct from the other verses because it doesn’t take its inspiration from Psalm 98, but rather Genesis 3 – the curse. But it does take the form of a Psalm: the first 2 lines are a plea to God Himself, and the second 2 lines are a promise from God to His people. What is your plea to God today? And what is His promise, into that plea? In this world we will have troubles, but take heart! Jesus has overcome the world. And that is cause for true joy.
Our present technology and culture allow for efficient multitasking. We successfully implement it almost everywhere but worship. Isaac Watts saw long ago what we still see today: a struggle to maintain focus in our designated times for praise. He, like the Psalmist in Psalm 98, calls for more than singing; he calls for internalization of songs. As the world around us sings for joy, we are to do the same, knowing that the One who reigns is sovereign, but also benevolent; a Savior who gave Himself so that we can lose an eternity of separation and gain an eternity of relationship.
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s arrive with many reminders that things are not as they should be. Relational tension, loss of a loved one, loneliness, inner struggles and conflict in the world around us are all causes for grief. The title and focus of this message comes from the truth declared in verse 1 of Joy to the World by Isaac Watts, who knew his share of pain. 300 years ago, Watts discovered the truths in Psalm 98 and wrote Joy to the World intending to direct his generation to the glorious and triumphant coming of our Lord. This message will encourage you to prepare Him room and avail yourself to His joy this Advent season and beyond.