In this life, plenty of things will go wrong, but they don’t have to steal your joy. Pastor Kyle reminds us that true joy is not circumstantial but anchored in the giver, God Himself. This joy is a gift for ALL people and brings us hope even in the darkest times!
Notes 📓✏️:
Joy isn’t circumstantial. It’s anchored in the Giver, received with gratitude, and sustained by the belief that God is always in control.
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” 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.”Luke 2:8-15
GOOD NEWS PRODUCES GREAT JOY
“I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
Luke 2:10
Godly joy is loud and contagious.
If your joy comes from God, it was never supposed to stay quiet.
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:1-2
“When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”
Matthew 2:3
JOY IS PRESERVED BY MAINTAINING A HEALTHY PERSPECTIVE
What lens are you using when you interpret what God is doing?
Joy isn’t circumstantial. It’s anchored in the Giver, received with gratitude, and sustained by the belief that God is always in control.
Discussion Questions đź“ťâť“:
- In Luke 2:10, the angels bring ‘good news that will cause great joy for all people.’ How does this message challenge our understanding of who can receive God’s joy?
- How does Pastor Kyle’s statement that ‘joy isn’t circumstantial, it is anchored in the giver’ challenge our typical response to difficult situations?
- What is the difference between the wise men’s response to Jesus’ birth and King Herod’s response, and what does this teach us about perspective?
- How can maintaining a ‘heathy perspective’ protect and preserve our joy even during difficult times?