December 16, 2018 - Lighting the Candle of Joy - The Third Sunday of Advent

Last Sunday for us here at Woodlawn it was the Third Sunday of Advent, the day when we light the candle of 'Joy'.  The crutch of the sermon was the joy that our Lord wants us to feel over the good gifts He gives us each and every moment of our lives.  God feels joy in giving to us and all that He wishes from us is our acknowledgment of the gifts that we have received.

I compared these aspects of joy to our own gift giving to our children, family, and friends. As we grow older we understand this component of 'Joy' more and more fully... as a parent or even more-so perhaps as a grandparent, we take much greater joy in giving than in receiving... but, a part of this joy is seeing genuine appreciation from our friends and loved ones.

Let us make sure to acknowledge in prayer our joy in the gifts our Father in Heaven gives to us each moment of our lives.  There is no way that we can list these gifts... they are just too numerous... but, we should at least once a day lift up a prayer of appreciation and worship to the One that loves us so very, very much.

Be a blessing (and joy) to someone today!

In His Joy,
Roy

Luke 3:7-18 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,[a] 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

Footnotes:
a) Luke 3:15 Or the Christ

b) Luke 3:16 Or in

Thursday Night Worship, December 13, 2018, Preparing for the 3rd Sunday of Advent - Joy

Last Thursday night we looked at the closing verses of the letter written to the church in Philippi by the Apostle Paul (most likely while in prison in Rome).  Philippians is a letter filled with 'Joy' and it is a fitting letter to discuss on the third Sunday of Advent the Sunday upon which we light the 'Joy' candle.

Last week we discussed 'Peace' and how one can have peace even in the face of chaos and discord, having 'Joy' in the midst of troubles is perhaps a tougher concept to grasp than the idea that we can have 'Peace' amidst troubles... but in fact, we can have joy in our hearts no matter what we face as long as we hold God in our heart.  Paul and his letter to those early Christians in Philippi is a testimony to this phenomenon.

As long as we believe that Christ is our Lord and Savior, we can be joy-filled even when life's troubles rain down upon us without cease.  We can do this because we know that whatever we face here it is temporary, we live to prepare ourselves for our eternal home, our home with God.  Live a life of 'Joy' just as Paul lived in order to be a witness to others, just as Paul was a witness to so many generations of Christ-followers.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Joy!
Roy 

Philippians 4 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
1 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion,[b] help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice[c] in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.[d] 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, beloved,[e] whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about[f] these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoice[g] in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it.[h] 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.

15 You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16 For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. 18 I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends[i] who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor’s household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.[j]

Footnotes:
a) Philippians 4:1 Gk my brothers
b) Philippians 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus
c) Philippians 4:4 Or Farewell
d) Philippians 4:4 Or Farewell
e) Philippians 4:8 Gk brothers
f) Philippians 4:8 Gk take account of
g) Philippians 4:10 Gk I rejoiced
h) Philippians 4:10 Gk lacks to show it
i) Philippians 4:21 Gk brothers

j) Philippians 4:23 Other ancient authorities add Amen

The 3rd Sunday of Advent, The Candle of Joy, December 17, 2017

Photo by Christian Begeman

The sermon given this last Sunday, December 17th, 2017, covered the third candle of Advent, the Candle of "Joy".  Joy is such an interesting concept.  In the sermon, I discussed how Joy, unlike happiness, can occur even within the darkest moments of our lives.  Christ himself describes himself as filled with joy prior to the betrayal and execution.  We can scarcely believe that he was happy at that time, after all, he did ask for the "cup to be removed from him".  But he was filled with joy... in the sermon I referenced two pieces of scripture discussing how the Apostle Paul when faced with hopeless suffering still proclaimed to the world "JOY".

The sermon isn't very long, I once again had to edit out portions of the sermon as we had some unexpected elements introduced into the worship service and it was the Sunday of our Annual Meeting.

Please take a few minutes and listen to the sermon.

God Bless!

Pastor Roy

Below is the scripture used in the sermon.  Remember to...

Be a blessing to someone today! 

Philippians 1:3-21 (NIV)
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Acts 16:20-31 (NIV)
20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-25
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise the words of prophets, 21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.
23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

25 Beloved, pray for us.

The Third Sunday of Advent, Lighting the Candle of Joy!

This past Sunday, December 11th was the Third Sunday of the Advent Season and for those of us in the 'Disciples of Christ' denomination it was the 'Sunday of Joy'.

In the sermon to which the video on Youtube is linked below, I compared this season of joy to childbirth.  We wait with 'joy' for the advent of Christ and just as in childbirth we can and will feel a feeling of mixed fear, anticipation, worry and joy.  Just as an expectant mother can be overwhelmed with joy at learning of her pregnancy and yet have to suffer through the pain and fear of morning sickness and delivery; we can be filled with an incredible sense of joy and anticipation over the second coming of Christ and still be surrounded with the pain and suffering of this world.

Joy does not have to exist in a world of only peace and harmony.  No, in fact one of the things that separates joy from happiness is that joy can exist in the midst of suffering and pain.  In spite of the pain and suffering that we see in this wanting world, may you find and feel the joy that can only be found in the love, peace and hope found in Christ our Savior.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Grace & Joy,

Roy