IF WE EVER NEEDED JOY

 IF WE EVER NEEDED JOY, IT’S NOW

What do you think is the favorite Christmas song in this country? Let’s take a survey. If you are watching the live stream, go to the chat and type in your answer. You can do the same thing here in the sanctuary. 

While we wait let me give you some other survey results. There is a difference if we consider all Christmas songs or just carols. 

Top 10 Christmas Songs on Spotify in the United States:

1. "All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey

2. "Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee

3. "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Andy Williams

4. "Last Christmas" by Wham

5. "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms

6. "It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" by Michael Bublé

7. "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby

8. "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole

9. "Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

10. "Let it Snow! Let is Snow! Let it Snow" by Frank Sinatra

The list of carols is different with “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night” leading the way. Another article states that “Silent Night” is the most popular carol of all time. 

“Joy to the World” cracks the top 10 in some surveys. We sang it this morning. Joy is associated with Christmas because it plays an important part in the story of the birth of Jesus. 

First to the shepherds…

Luke 2:8–11 (NKJV) Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Then to the wise men…

Matthew 2:9–10 (NKJV) When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

So, on this third Sunday of Advent, the Joy Sunday, let’s talk about the part joy plays in our life. If we ever needed joy, it’s now! PRAYER

The angels said: “I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Joy was coming because a Savior was coming. That Savior’s name is Jesus. In fact, His very name means Savior. 

Matthew 1:20–21 (NKJV) Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” The angels said this is good news. Jesus has come to save us from our sin. 

1. From the penalty of sin.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

These words echo the prophecy of Jesus’s sacrifice. 

Isaiah 53:4–6 (NKJV) Surely He has borne our griefs

And carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

2. From the power of sin.

Romans 6:14 (NKJV) For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Romans 8:2 (NKJV) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

3. From the presence of sin. 

Revelation 21:3–5 (NKJV) And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

Revelation 22:1–3 (NKJV) And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.

Jesus, what a wonderful Name. Can you say it with me? Jesus. The Name spoken to Mary by the angel. The Name revealed to Joseph in a dream. The Name that is greater than every Name!

Philippians 2:9–11 (NKJV) Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Whatever you need today is available to you in the name of Jesus. All you have to do is call upon Him. 

Romans 10:13 (NKJV) For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Listen to what Jesus came to do!

Isaiah 61:1–3 (NKJV) The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 

3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness,

The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

MINISTRY TIME The wise men were filled with joy because they found what they were looking for. 

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

What do you need today? Joy is yours today. However you define it, it can be yours. 

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 30:5 (NKJV) For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 126:5–6 (NKJV) Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing,

Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,

Bringing his sheaves with him.

Isaiah 35:10 (NKJV) And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

1 Peter 1:8 (NKJV) whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,