Joy to the World for A Happy New Year
Luke 2:8-20Glory in the Highest8 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. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest,And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. NKJV
The word “Happy” is found 50 times in the NT:3107 makarios (mak-ar’-ee-os); a prolonged form of the poetical makar (meaning the same); supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off: KJV – blessed, happy (X -ier).
The word Joy is found 60 times in the NT:5479 chara (khar-ah’); from NT:5463; cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight: KJV – gladness, greatly, (X be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).
(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Or in other words a calm in the midst of the tribulations!
Joy over Happiness
By John MacArthur
Definition happiness:
An attitude of satisfaction or Delight based upon some present circumstance,
Happiness is related to happening, happenstance, and comes from the root word hap. Hap is a word which conveys the ideal of chance you can’t plan our program happiness it may or may not happen it is due to circumstance.
That’s the best man can do is happiness.
Definition joy:
True joy is a gift of God, to those who believe the gospel, being produced in them by the Holy Spirit, as the believer received and obeys the word of God, being mixed with various trials, sits their hopes on future glory.
1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls. NKJV
1) true joy is a gift of God
Psalms 16:11You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. NKJV
John 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. NKJV
2) to those who believe the gospel
John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. NKJV
3) being produced in them by the Holy Spirit
Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. NKJV
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. NKJV
longsuffering, Suffering = having to endure anything that you desperately do not want to endure. Long = long time.
4) as the believer received and obeys the word of God
What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched
1 John 1:1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life — 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us — 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. NKJV
Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them,
And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;
For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts. NKJV
5) being mixed with various trials
1 Thessalonians 1:6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, NKJV
2 Corinthians 6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. NKJV
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. NKJV
Tony Evans said “Peace does not mean that you will not have problems. Peace means that your problems, will not have you.”
6) sits their hopes on future glory
Romans 12:12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. NKJV
Suffering for God’s Glory
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. NKJV
Glory to God
Jude 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. NKJV
Psalms 30:5 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. NKJV
Definition joy:
True joy is a gift of God, to those who believe the gospel, being produced in them by the Holy Spirit, as the believer received and obeys the word of God, being mixed with various trials, sits their hopes on future glory.
Joy came to the World
so you can have a
Happy New Year.
