Bringing Joy to Jesus: Reflecting on Living and Loving Like Him

Welcome, Welcome Welcome

Invocation

Advent Season is about looking forward to Jesus Christ s return

Third Sunday Of Advent: Joy

Living and Loving Like Jesus

Inviting Others to Do the Same

Current Events and Living and Loving Like Jesus

Heb 12:2-3 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him

endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who

endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

YES, lets keep our eyes on JESUS!!!

Todays Message:

Joy: How we can bring Joy to Jesus?

2 Timothy 2:1-4

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to

reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs he wants to please his commanding officer.

Luke 10:17-21

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.

He replied, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions

and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

At that time Jesus, FULL OF JOY through the Holy Spirit, said,

I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned,

and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

Yes It is possible to Please God

Both The disciples and Jesus were experiencing JOY

The disciples were experiencing the JOY of being an instrument in the Lord s hand.

Jesus experienced joy in at least two ways:

First, The joy of seeing His disciples carrying out His mission.

Second, The joy of seeing Satan fall like lightning from heaven .

Lets always remember Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

C S Lewis God whispers through joy He speaks through His Word His megaphone to get our attention is pain!

Acts 5:17-42 Apostles flogged

Acts 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

In Acts 8:1-4 persecution sent the believers out into the world

And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem,

and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church.

Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

God specializes in redeeming pain & suffering if we allow Him.

In AD 70 the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed.

The temple of God is now portable!!!

Is it possible that God is allowing Covid-19 to mobilize us?

Prayer