Advent Lesson "Joy" December 21, 2014

The Joy of God
vs
The World’s Happiness

"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."

-Franklin Roosevelt 

I. Defining Joy

This is the fourth week of Advent, when we light the Joy candle. Today we’ll be contrasting the difference between the world’s counterfeit happiness versus the joy of God.

Every time we turn on the television, pick up a magazine or listen to the radio; we’re promised true and lasting happiness. We’re encouraged to buy this and upgrade that. There’s always something new we need to finally be happy and fulfilled. 

The world promises joy because of our circumstances.

God promises us joy despite our circumstances. 

“I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you.” John 15: 11-12 (HCSB)

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-3 (HCSB)

Though princes sit together speaking against me, Your servant will think about Your statutes; Your decrees are my delight and my counselors. Psalm 119:23-24 (HCSB)

Read these three Scriptures and list the circumstances described above:

When have you had a foundation of joy despite your circumstances?

How long is the world’s promised happiness likely to last?

II. The Power of Joy

Joy is a powerful thing. It can help us rise above our circumstances, and gives us strength when we need it. More importantly, it connects us more closely to God.

Then he said to them, "Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the LORD is your stronghold." Nehemiah 8:10 (HCSB)

Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (HCSB)

Contrast the joy that God has to offer with the happiness found in following the world’s path and we can see why so many are coming to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Look at the verses above and list the joy found there:

Don’t you know that ever since antiquity, from the time man was placed on earth, the joy of the wicked has been brief and the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment? Job 20:4-5 (HCSB)

Now consider the aspects of this Christmas season that the world says is joy. Things like just the right gift, or the right clothes to wear to a party, or even the invitation to the right party.

How does the quest for these things, and others like them, set us up for fleeting happiness instead of lasting joy?

How does our joy, or lack of joy, affect others around us?

Joy can also replace fear with courage. We see that on the night of Jesus’ birth when the shepherds are witness to the multitude of angels:

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. Luke 2:15-16 (HCSB)

How can joy help us, and others replace fear with courage?

III. The Gift of Joy

Joy is a gift, and it comes from many sources. It’s a gift from God, from those around us, and it’s a gift we give ourselves when we choose to have that perspective on our circumstances. But this gift of joy isn’t available to us unless we know God.

…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (HCSB)

What are the things listed above as being part of the kingdom of God?

You could say that the first part of that verse describes happiness: eating and drinking - outward, natural pleasures. The second part describes the elements of spiritual fulfillment: righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

How do you think this verse applies specifically to the Christmas season?

Most people confuse joy with happiness. But there is a vast difference. Happiness is grounded in favorable circumstances. When everything goes well, the camper is happy. Joy on the other hand is rooted in the spirit. It is an attitude of life. It remains present as an undercurrent even when things aren't exactly dandy.

And that brings us back to the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus. Apart from Him, there is

• No foundation of hope

• No sacrificial love

• No everlasting peace

• No deep and abiding joy

Everything about this season comes back to that baby in the manger. Not the stylized, sanitized version the world presents. NO. Jesus is the ultimate gift of His Father in Heaven.

I’ve heard it said He was born to die, but I vehemently disagree. Jesus was born to live—and to share that gift of life with all who would accept it. 


Our Lesson This Morning:


 
                           The Joy of God vs The World’s Counterfeit Happiness 

How do you define happiness?

Thoreau said, "Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder."

Psychologists disagree with Thoreau in that they believe that you can choose to be happy!

How do you define happiness?



I. Defining Joy
This is the fourth week of Advent, when we light the Joy candle. Today we’ll be contrasting the difference between the world’s counterfeit happiness versus the joy of God.



What are some ways the world promises happiness?

• Every time we turn on the television, pick up a magazine or listen to the radio; we’re promised true and lasting happiness. We’re encouraged to buy this and upgrade that. There’s always something new we need to finally be happy and fulfilled.

What is happiness? What makes you happy?

• Happiness is a feeling of contentment and satisfaction. A simple definition of happiness can be described as a pleasurable feeling, joy and contentment. An outward sign of being happy is a big beautiful smile.
• People look for happiness in family life, in ones career, etc. We sometimes believe that a change of circumstances will make us happy: restoration of our health, winning a lottery, an improved financial situation, a better job or perhaps a new romance.
• It is natural for us to spend a lifetime search for happiness, hoping to fill the emptiness, incompleteness or sadness we have deep within. The problem is sometimes we do not know where to find real happiness.

Our lesson says this morning that: 


                       The world promises joy because of our circumstances.

                                God promises us joy despite our circumstances.



Someone read John 15:11-12 and think about what God wants us to understand from these two verses about joy.



“I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you.” (HCSB)

• Jesus teaches about the vine and the branches - Abiding
• When things are going well, we feel elated. When hardships come, we sink into depression. True joy transcends the rolling waves of circumstance. Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ. When our lives are intertwined with His, He will help us walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating lows and manage prosperity without moving into deceptive highs. The joy of living with Jesus Christ daily will keep us level headed, no matter how high or low our circumstances.

Someone read Hebrews 12:1-3 and think about what God wants us to understand from these three verses about joy.


Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-3 (HCSB)

• The Christian life involves hard work. It requires us to give up whatever endangers our relationship with God, to run patiently, and to struggle against sin with the power of the Holy Spirit. To live effectively, we must keep our eyes on Jesus. We will stumble if we look away from Him to stare at ourselves or at the circumstances surrounding us. We should be running for Christ, not ourselves, and we must always keep Him in sight.
• When we face hardship or discouragement, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. But we’re not alone; there is help. Many have already made it through life, enduring far more difficult circumstances than we have experienced. Suffering is the training ground for Christian maturity; it develops patience and makes our final victory sweet.

Someone read Psalm 119:23-24 and think about what God wants us to understand from these two verses about joy.



Though princes sit together speaking against me, Your servant will think about Your statutes; Your decrees are my delight and my counselors. Psalm 119:23-24 (HCSB)

• Our lives are cluttered with rule books, but the authors never come with us to help us follow the rules. But God does. That is the uniqueness of our Bible. God not only provides the rules and guidelines, but comes with us personally each day to strengthen us so that we can live according to those rules. All we must do is invite Him and respond to His direction.

When have you had a joy that transcended your circumstances?



What way of happiness are we following: the way of the World, or the way of Jesus?

• Jesus is telling us today, that a happy person is the person for whom God is the most important thing in life – whether one is poor or rich, popular or not, powerful or weak. If our first thought in the morning and the last thought in the evening are of how to desire God, then we are happy.
• Joy, on the other hand, is from God and runs deeper — it can be present even during unhappy times.

There are two ways to achieve happiness: one is the way of the World, and the second way is the way of Jesus. The way of the World to achieve happiness is the accumulation of the 4 P’s namely, power, prestige, possessions and popularity. The way of the World promises us that these 4 P’s are keys to be happy. But in reality they are not, and we see this based on tragic experience of many people we’ve known who had achieved power, prestige, possessions and popularity. The second way to achieve happiness is the way of Jesus. Contrary to the way of the world, Jesus gives us a prescription for real and genuine happiness in a number of short sayings which we call the Beatitudes.


The word beatitude comes from the Latin root word beati (beatitude, happiness) means blessed but a more literal translation of beatitude into contemporary English is “happy.” The Beatitudes imply that people not normally considered blessed (happy) on Earth are in fact blessed by God and will experience the Kingdom of Heaven, where there is eternal and real happiness.


Jesus' way of happiness, does not require accumulation of material things, however, demands a transformation from within — a conversion of heart and mind – the search for happiness begins from within.





II. The Power of Joy

Joy is a powerful thing. It can help us rise above our circumstances, and gives us strength when we need it. More importantly, it connects us more closely to God.



Someone read Nehemiah 8:10 and list the joy found there.



Then he said to them, "Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the LORD is your stronghold." Nehemiah 8:10 (HCSB)

• The people wept openly when they heard God’s laws and realized how far they were from obeying them. But Ezra told them they should be filled with joy because the day was holy. It was time to celebrate and to give gifts to those in need. Celebration is not to be self-centered. Ezra connected celebration with giving. This gave those in need an opportunity to celebrate as well. Often when we celebrate and give to others (even when we don’t feel like it), we are strengthened spiritually and filled with joy. Enter into celebrations that honor God, and allow Him to fill you with His joy.
• Joy is defined as "cheerfulness or calm delight;" however, it has nothing to do with your emotions. Joy is something that is manifested in the spiritual realm; it is a supernatural joy that gives spiritual strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Someone read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and list the joy found there.



Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (HCSB)

• Our joy, prayers, and thankfulness should not fluctuate with our circumstances or feelings. Obeying these three commands – be joyful, pray continually, and give thanks – often goes against our natural inclinations. When we make a conscious decision to do what God says, however, we will begin to see people in a new perspective. When we do God’s will, we will find it easier to be joyful and thankful.
• We cannot spend all our time on our knees, but it is possible to have a prayerful attitude at all times. This attitude is built upon acknowledging our dependence on God, realizing His presence within us, and determining to obey Him fully. Then we will find it natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, short prayers. A prayerful attitude is not a substitute for regular times of prayer but should be an outgrowth of those times.

Contrast the joy that God has to offer with the happiness found in following the world’s path and we can see why so many are coming to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Don’t you know that ever since antiquity, from the time man was placed on earth, the joy of the wicked has been brief and the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment? Job 20:4-5 (HCSB)

• At first, sin seems enjoyable and attractive. Lying, stealing or oppressing others often brings temporary gain to those who practice these sins. Some live a long time with ill-gotten gain. But in the end, God’s justice will prevail. Judgment for these sins may not come in the lifetime of the sinner. Punishment may be deferred until the last judgment, when sinners will be eternally cut off from God. We should not be impressed with the success and power of evil people. God’s judgment on them is certain.

Now consider the aspects of this Christmas season that the world says is joy. Things like just the right gift, or the right clothes to wear to a party, or even the invitation to the right party.



How does the quest for these things, and others like them, set us up for fleeting happiness instead of lasting joy?



How does our joy, or lack of joy, affect others around us?



Joy can also replace fear with courage. We see that on the night of Jesus’ birth when the shepherds are witness to the multitude of angels:



When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. Luke 2:15-16 (HCSB)



How can joy help us, and others replace fear with courage?



Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) “but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long sufferance, gentleness, goodness, faith”; and as we stay connected these fruit will develop in our lives. One may ask, how can we be joyful when things are in the natural falling apart? The answer is that we can rejoice because our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. And also if we need wisdom to come out of any situation, we can ask God and He will give it to us. There is a word of God that can answer any problem we can have.



III. The Gift of Joy

Joy is a gift, and it comes from many sources. It’s a gift from God, from those around us, and it’s a gift we give ourselves when we choose to have that perspective on our circumstances. But this gift of joy isn’t available to us unless we know God.



…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (HCSB)


What are the things listed above as being part of the kingdom of God?

• Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit
• You could say that the first part of that verse describes happiness: eating and drinking - outward, natural pleasures. The second part describes the elements of spiritual fulfillment: righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

How do you think this verse applies specifically to the things we face during the Christmas season?

• Most people confuse joy with happiness. But there is a vast difference. Happiness is grounded in favorable circumstances. When everything goes well, the camper is happy. Joy on the other hand is rooted in the spirit. It is an attitude of life. It remains present as an undercurrent even when things aren't exactly dandy.

And that brings us back to the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus. Apart from Him, there is

• No foundation of hope
• No sacrificial love
• No everlasting peace
• No deep and abiding joy

We’ll be faced with a lot of watered down versions of baby Jesus this Christmas season. I’m committing right now, to present Him completely through the life I live. I will choose

• A foundation of hope, found only in Jesus
• A sacrificial love, possible only through His power at work in me
• An everlasting peace that doesn’t depend on outside circumstances
• A deep and abiding joy as I choose to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas

 
Heaven's joy is rooted in the sure knowledge that all is in God's hand (that goes for earthly Christians too.) Paul could rejoice because he knew that he lived in the will of God for his life. He had a good conscience. That brought peace. And it reinforced the undercurrent of joy in his life. He knew: I can't lose.


The dominant mood in Paul was his joy in his own salvation.


We need to do the same. Look away from the problems in your life. Remember the awesome testimonies that you have. Remember God's intervention on numerous occasions for you. He is faithful and just. He will not forget you. He will come through for you. Just serve Him. Worship Him. Give Him offerings. He won't let you down.




First Four Beatitudes: The first set of four beatitudes: Happiness of the poor in spirit, the gentle, the mourners and the righteous.


Humility, being poor in spirit, is the fundamental condition of a relationship with God. Poverty in spirit is the first condition for real happiness. Being poor in spirit is not trusting in ourselves but trusting in God instead. We are poor in spirit when we surrender our plans to God asking for his help. Poverty in spirit makes us free to seek God alone not on material things or prestigious titles that we have.



If we are to be happy we are to be gentle, to be gentle means to self controlled and God controlled. To be gentle does not mean being soft or quiet, rather it also has the ability to be angry with the right people about the right things at the right time to the right degree.


Jesus says that we will be happy when we mourn for our sins and the sins of others.


We will be happy when we hunger and thirst for what is right. A righteous person is someone who only desires the will of God and one who has a profound respect for others and wants to treat others with equal dignity. So when we see other people abused in one way or another, we hunger and thirst that their dignity will be respected.


The Second Set of Beatitudes
The second set of beatitudes: The happiness of the merciful, pure of heart, peace makers and the persecuted. All the second set of four beatitudes is best interpreted as the ability to give unconditional forgiveness and the generosity to ask pardon for our offences against others.


Jesus gave the example of the forgiving love of a merciful heart from the cross by praying for His executioners. As long as we hold something in our hearts against somebody we are not free, we are not happy.



Purity of heart makes one happy. The pure in heart are morally pure, in body, speech and in mind. 

 Prayer of Commitment

"Lord, increase my hunger for You and show me the way that leads to everlasting happiness and peace. May I desire You above all else and find perfect joy in doing Your will."

Hope to see you this Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan

Merry Christmas