WEBVTT 167 00:18:30.355 --> 00:18:34.275 So listen, I don't wanna alarm anybody, but if you're hearing this message, 168 00:18:34.494 --> 00:18:38.835 you are probably route right around 10 days left, uh, 169 00:18:38.975 --> 00:18:41.195 of shopping days to finish up that Christmas list. 170 00:18:41.196 --> 00:18:43.955 So hopefully that doesn't incite a panic attack in your life, 171 00:18:44.095 --> 00:18:45.835 but that's a free reminder. Uh, 172 00:18:45.895 --> 00:18:50.155 one other thing I wanna remind you of is it is time for you now to decide which 173 00:18:50.156 --> 00:18:52.115 of our Christmas Eve services you are coming to, 174 00:18:52.535 --> 00:18:56.075 who you are going to invite and go ahead and get those tickets. You know, 175 00:18:56.076 --> 00:18:59.075 I was reminded last week, we've got a lot of new folks around here at Hope. 176 00:18:59.076 --> 00:19:02.275 Some of you, this is like your first season, ever Christmas season, 177 00:19:02.305 --> 00:19:03.195 ever at Hope. 178 00:19:03.695 --> 00:19:08.355 And I was asked after a service last weekend at the Raleigh campus, Hey, 179 00:19:09.015 --> 00:19:12.075 why do we have tickets for our Christmas Eve service? Just thought, man, 180 00:19:12.076 --> 00:19:14.635 if you don't know, that's a great question. Uh, the reason being, 181 00:19:14.636 --> 00:19:16.795 because across all five of our campuses, 182 00:19:16.796 --> 00:19:19.875 we hold a total of about 16 Christmas Eve services. 183 00:19:20.015 --> 00:19:22.395 We hold them on the 22nd and the 24th. 184 00:19:22.415 --> 00:19:26.675 We take the 23rd off six services at Apex, five at Raleigh, 185 00:19:26.975 --> 00:19:30.835 two in Fuqua Verina, two in Northwest Kerry, uh, one in Garner. 186 00:19:31.415 --> 00:19:36.275 And so that leads us having about just over 19,000 total seats open for folks 187 00:19:36.276 --> 00:19:40.555 to come and to hear about and to celebrate the birth of Jesus. And right now, 188 00:19:40.994 --> 00:19:44.555 uh, well over half of those seats are already reserved. And so the tickets, 189 00:19:44.645 --> 00:19:48.395 which are really reservations, right, because they don't cost anything, 190 00:19:48.734 --> 00:19:52.755 of course, they help us make sure that there is a seat available for you, 191 00:19:53.135 --> 00:19:56.315 for your family, and for your guests, uh, when you show up. Uh, 192 00:19:56.575 --> 00:20:00.315 but we do want to fill up as many of those seats as we possibly can. 193 00:20:00.375 --> 00:20:03.715 And it has nothing to do with wanting to have butts and seats at hope and 194 00:20:03.716 --> 00:20:04.549 everything to do with. 195 00:20:04.734 --> 00:20:08.675 We wanna make a huge invitation to those who desperately need to come and hear 196 00:20:08.676 --> 00:20:11.435 about the love that's available to them, uh, through Jesus. 197 00:20:11.655 --> 00:20:15.795 So if we can get to 75% of those tickets reserved, uh, 198 00:20:15.796 --> 00:20:19.115 I'm gonna do something crazy on Christmas Eve and I'm gonna preach with my head 199 00:20:19.116 --> 00:20:22.555 shaved. So you guys do, you know, whatever you can do, 200 00:20:22.556 --> 00:20:26.715 go to get hope.net/christmas and, uh, get your tickets. In case you don't know, 201 00:20:26.734 --> 00:20:27.567 as a church family, 202 00:20:27.734 --> 00:20:31.835 we are in a series right now walking through the advent through the month of 203 00:20:31.994 --> 00:20:35.555 December. We've tried to say this, uh, each week, 204 00:20:35.655 --> 00:20:37.994 but Advent is a season, uh, 205 00:20:37.995 --> 00:20:41.395 during the month of December where we look back to remember the birth of Christ, 206 00:20:41.955 --> 00:20:44.355 uh, and then we look forward to remind ourselves, uh, 207 00:20:44.356 --> 00:20:46.475 of the promise that Jesus made, 208 00:20:46.476 --> 00:20:50.965 that one day he's going to return to earth and establish a new heaven and a new 209 00:20:50.966 --> 00:20:53.405 Earth. Uh, if I were to say that a little bit more plainly, 210 00:20:53.435 --> 00:20:56.445 he's gonna come back and put all of this brokenness back together again. 211 00:20:57.545 --> 00:21:02.365 The word, uh, advent, uh, it's Latin word is Adventist, which means, 212 00:21:03.005 --> 00:21:07.315 uh, who remembers from last week what it is, what it means? Anyone. 213 00:21:07.585 --> 00:21:10.515 This is probably really awkward for people at other campuses where not life, 214 00:21:10.516 --> 00:21:14.185 anyone remember what it means. We'll start at the beginning, 215 00:21:14.355 --> 00:21:17.465 we'll go it. Uh, it means coming or arrival. 216 00:21:17.925 --> 00:21:21.025 And so we are remembering and celebrating, uh, 217 00:21:21.026 --> 00:21:24.265 the arrival and the coming of our king Jesus. 218 00:21:24.405 --> 00:21:29.265 And so Advent has four primary themes, hope, peace, joy, and love. 219 00:21:29.555 --> 00:21:31.785 We've already talked about hope and peace. Uh, 220 00:21:32.015 --> 00:21:34.105 this week we are talking about joy, 221 00:21:34.165 --> 00:21:36.785 and then we'll wrap up through our Christmas Eve services, 222 00:21:36.786 --> 00:21:40.465 talking about the love that is available to us through Jesus. 223 00:21:40.525 --> 00:21:45.465 So let's talk about joy. Uh, understand when we talk about joy, 224 00:21:46.095 --> 00:21:49.984 it's not the same thing as happiness, right? They can come and go, uh, happy, 225 00:21:50.525 --> 00:21:51.545 sad, mad, glad. 226 00:21:51.546 --> 00:21:56.465 These are emotions that are up and down and largely circumstantial. 227 00:21:56.885 --> 00:21:59.105 And so high school, college students, uh, 228 00:21:59.125 --> 00:22:01.025 you think you're gonna make a c on an exam. 229 00:22:02.734 --> 00:22:06.475 Somehow you end up with an a. Like, we're happy about that, right? 230 00:22:06.484 --> 00:22:10.515 We're excited. Uh, Christmas time, you ask for a pony, 231 00:22:11.734 --> 00:22:14.715 you get a pair of socks. That's not the same. Like, 232 00:22:14.716 --> 00:22:16.994 we're a little bit disappointed. We're sad. Uh, parents, 233 00:22:16.995 --> 00:22:19.515 we get a phone call from our kids' teacher, Hey, 234 00:22:19.516 --> 00:22:24.355 little Johnny's acting up in school again. Uh, we're going to be angry. Uh, 235 00:22:24.895 --> 00:22:29.555 how about NC State beating UNC in a football game? Yeah, I mean, 236 00:22:29.795 --> 00:22:31.715 actually at this point, that's kind of normal, isn't it? I mean, 237 00:22:31.716 --> 00:22:35.515 there's no real reason. Again, I'm just kidding. That has a lot to do, uh, 238 00:22:35.625 --> 00:22:36.755 with your alma mater, 239 00:22:36.795 --> 00:22:40.515 I understand that maybe you UNC fans getting chapel bill into town, 240 00:22:40.516 --> 00:22:42.234 maybe that'll help you out a little bit. We'll see. 241 00:22:42.455 --> 00:22:46.955 But our emotions change with our ever changing circumstances. 242 00:22:48.015 --> 00:22:52.275 But what I wanna suggest to you is that with true joy, like this deep, 243 00:22:52.385 --> 00:22:56.755 heartfelt, sincere joy that we can have with that, that's not the case. 244 00:22:57.815 --> 00:22:59.595 And I believe it's possible. And, 245 00:22:59.655 --> 00:23:01.515 and honestly more importantly than what I believe, 246 00:23:01.516 --> 00:23:05.435 I believe the Bible tells us that we can have joy in spite of our ever-changing 247 00:23:05.436 --> 00:23:09.555 circumstances. But how do we find it? Uh, 248 00:23:09.734 --> 00:23:14.635 in 2006, I took a trip to an area, uh, 249 00:23:14.636 --> 00:23:18.795 that goes by the name Ole Kenya. Kenya. And so the other side of the planet, 250 00:23:19.435 --> 00:23:23.555 Cale is an impoverished suburb, uh, suburb just outside of Nairobi. 251 00:23:24.035 --> 00:23:27.635 I went with, uh, a pastor who's actually here on our staff now, Corey Paxton. 252 00:23:27.635 --> 00:23:32.475 He and I have been, uh, friends for decades. Uh, he's done a ton of stuff here. 253 00:23:32.476 --> 00:23:34.115 He is oversaw adult ministry for a while. 254 00:23:34.255 --> 00:23:38.234 He currently now oversees our young adult ministry. Shout out to our Yam fam. 255 00:23:38.755 --> 00:23:40.515 Uh, he's involved in our student ministry. 256 00:23:41.215 --> 00:23:44.675 He and I were a part of a church plant together out of hope, uh, 257 00:23:44.695 --> 00:23:46.125 way back in 2006. 258 00:23:46.825 --> 00:23:50.685 And we were going to Kenya to do a number of things over a 10 day trip. 259 00:23:50.785 --> 00:23:54.845 But one of them was to spend time in an orphanage that one of Corey's friends 260 00:23:54.846 --> 00:23:59.045 from seminary had started in this area of Ole called the Africa Hope Center. 261 00:23:59.744 --> 00:24:04.525 And this was a children's home for kids who had lost both of their parents, uh, 262 00:24:04.625 --> 00:24:05.805 due to hiv aids. 263 00:24:07.785 --> 00:24:10.205 You wanna talk about a reason to be unhappy in life, 264 00:24:10.595 --> 00:24:15.205 like being an orphan at this home. I mean, you've lost both of your parents. Um, 265 00:24:16.115 --> 00:24:18.645 this is, by the way, this is not like a children's home in the United States. 266 00:24:18.675 --> 00:24:20.885 It's not even like a children's home in Nairobi. I mean, 267 00:24:20.886 --> 00:24:23.525 I'm talking an incredibly under-resourced area. 268 00:24:23.635 --> 00:24:25.244 It's not like they had a ton of money coming in. 269 00:24:25.245 --> 00:24:27.925 This is just a guy who left this community, came to America, 270 00:24:27.984 --> 00:24:30.845 and he's trying to do something back for his community. I mean, 271 00:24:30.846 --> 00:24:35.285 they eat like porridge every day that's warmed up on this charcoal oven. 272 00:24:35.925 --> 00:24:38.645 Uh, the roads are like dirt. There's not really a lot of places to play. 273 00:24:38.646 --> 00:24:41.685 Like you just think, okay, they don't really have a reason to be happy. 274 00:24:42.125 --> 00:24:46.965 I will never forget walking into the welcome area of this orphanage and all of 275 00:24:46.966 --> 00:24:49.805 these young children coming in and kind of flooding the, the area. 276 00:24:50.025 --> 00:24:53.325 And they start singing this song. And I'll never forget how they say it said, 277 00:24:53.326 --> 00:24:58.005 they said, welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, Mr Welcome, welcome, 278 00:24:58.006 --> 00:25:02.285 welcome, welcome to the Africa Hope Center. And then one by one, 279 00:25:02.286 --> 00:25:04.845 they came out and they shared their name and they shared their story. 280 00:25:04.846 --> 00:25:08.125 And they talked about how God had been at work in their life through the 281 00:25:08.325 --> 00:25:10.605 ministry of the Africa Hope Center, through the administration there, 282 00:25:10.606 --> 00:25:13.725 through the teachers there, through people that they had never met before, 283 00:25:13.726 --> 00:25:16.805 that they showed up, but they knew that they were helping make this possible, 284 00:25:17.065 --> 00:25:21.845 and that what they had was this contagious joy. And I went there to minister, 285 00:25:21.846 --> 00:25:23.805 but like I left minister to like, wait. That's right. 286 00:25:23.825 --> 00:25:28.205 We can have joy in these circumstances. Same thing happened to me in 2015. 287 00:25:28.325 --> 00:25:32.965 I went with Doug and Dawn Stride, who, uh, Doug's our Apex campus pastor. Uh, 288 00:25:33.465 --> 00:25:36.484 Dawn's overseeing a number of different ministries here at Hope over the years, 289 00:25:36.625 --> 00:25:39.285 but we went to Uganda to Watoto Church, 290 00:25:39.286 --> 00:25:42.885 which is the church that they used to be on staff, uh, at. 291 00:25:43.145 --> 00:25:47.085 And they took us over to see some of the ministry that that was going on at 292 00:25:47.145 --> 00:25:49.845 Watoto. And we went to, uh, these two different, 293 00:25:49.846 --> 00:25:51.565 what they called them was Watoto Villages. 294 00:25:51.945 --> 00:25:56.885 And so what they had set up was these houses in these remote regions, uh, 295 00:25:57.185 --> 00:26:01.605 for children to live in who were orphans or who were 296 00:26:01.875 --> 00:26:05.685 rescued from. Uh, maybe you remember, um, uh, a, 297 00:26:05.965 --> 00:26:10.645 a name Joseph Coney, who oversaw what was called the Lord's Resistance Army. 298 00:26:10.665 --> 00:26:14.165 It was actually a terrorist group where they would go into villages and steal 299 00:26:14.525 --> 00:26:17.285 children, force them to kill their siblings, and then say, Hey, 300 00:26:17.286 --> 00:26:20.005 your families won't take you back now. So now you're a part of our army. 301 00:26:20.345 --> 00:26:23.525 And so children were fighting in these armies, uh, as soldiers. 302 00:26:23.585 --> 00:26:26.605 And so they would rescue these children and then let them live in these 303 00:26:26.606 --> 00:26:28.484 villages, and they live in these homes. Uh, 304 00:26:28.545 --> 00:26:30.685 and then they would have moms staying in each one of these houses. 305 00:26:31.155 --> 00:26:36.045 Same thing like just overcome with joy through the work that God had done 306 00:26:36.046 --> 00:26:39.365 in their life in spite of the trauma that they'd experienced. Uh, 307 00:26:39.366 --> 00:26:43.365 pastor Jean Alis, uh, our leader on the ground, uh, at uh, our, 308 00:26:43.366 --> 00:26:44.765 our ministry partner in Haiti, 309 00:26:45.465 --> 00:26:49.005 no stable government house and car getting shot up, uh, 310 00:26:49.006 --> 00:26:50.525 running out of food and resources. 311 00:26:50.545 --> 00:26:53.445 His wife can't stay in the area because it's not safe. 312 00:26:53.744 --> 00:26:55.965 But he's still leading the church, and the church is still growing. 313 00:26:55.966 --> 00:26:58.565 And he's saying, I will not leave. And if you talk to him, you don't know, 314 00:26:58.566 --> 00:27:02.605 tell you, I'm joyful in the Lord, brother. I mean, that's just the way he talks. 315 00:27:03.875 --> 00:27:08.575 And you gotta ask yourself like, how do we get there if it is available to us? 316 00:27:09.234 --> 00:27:10.775 And so what I wanna do in our time together, 317 00:27:10.855 --> 00:27:12.975 I wanna have you turn in your Bibles to Luke chapter two. 318 00:27:13.234 --> 00:27:17.295 And I want us just to talk through like what is the roadmap for us experiencing 319 00:27:17.315 --> 00:27:20.615 the joy that God has for us in our lives? 320 00:27:20.955 --> 00:27:24.695 So we're gonna pick up the story that first Christmas night, uh, 321 00:27:24.975 --> 00:27:28.375 Mary and Joseph had just given birth, uh, to six pound, 322 00:27:28.376 --> 00:27:32.494 eight ounce tiny baby Jesus. Uh, but he doesn't stay that way. Don't forget, 323 00:27:32.495 --> 00:27:35.335 we talked last week. He doesn't stay a baby. He's a wonderful counselor. 324 00:27:35.336 --> 00:27:40.055 He's a mighty God and everlasting father, a prince of peace. But shortly after, 325 00:27:41.175 --> 00:27:44.295 uh, we're gonna pick up in chapter two verse eight, shortly after his birth, 326 00:27:44.994 --> 00:27:47.415 and it says this in verse eight. And in the same region, 327 00:27:47.585 --> 00:27:52.385 there were shepherds out in the field keeping watch over their flock by night. 328 00:27:52.405 --> 00:27:56.825 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shown around 329 00:27:56.826 --> 00:28:01.265 them and they were filled with great fear. Uh, why were they afraid? Um, 330 00:28:01.725 --> 00:28:03.545 if you haven't read your Bible cover to cover, 331 00:28:03.685 --> 00:28:07.505 angels don't necessarily look like what you see in picture books, okay? Um, 332 00:28:07.685 --> 00:28:10.585 angels are fierce looking, uh, mighty looking warriors. 333 00:28:10.586 --> 00:28:13.465 But the angel said to them, fear not for behold. 334 00:28:13.625 --> 00:28:18.505 I bring to you good news of great joy that 335 00:28:18.506 --> 00:28:19.865 will be for all the people, 336 00:28:21.285 --> 00:28:24.244 for unto you is born this day in the city of David, 337 00:28:24.445 --> 00:28:29.445 a savior who is Christ the Lord. So the angels tell 'em, listen, 338 00:28:30.085 --> 00:28:34.915 I bring you good news of great joy for who? For all people. Alright? 339 00:28:35.095 --> 00:28:39.875 Not, not, not just for them, not just like for me, for you, for all people. 340 00:28:39.975 --> 00:28:41.675 And so what is it? What is the good news? 341 00:28:41.676 --> 00:28:44.555 Somehow this baby being born was good news. 342 00:28:45.585 --> 00:28:50.365 That would bring great joy. Why? We need to understand a few things. 343 00:28:50.765 --> 00:28:51.005 Uh, 344 00:28:51.005 --> 00:28:55.885 shepherds in Israel would've been 100% aware of Old Testament prophecies 345 00:28:55.886 --> 00:29:00.125 about the Messiah, which predicted a birth of a savior in Bethlehem. 346 00:29:00.315 --> 00:29:03.045 They would've known about it. Remember, in the last series, uh, 347 00:29:03.065 --> 00:29:04.845 we were in the word of the Lord. 348 00:29:04.965 --> 00:29:07.245 I unpacked the overarching narrative of scripture, 349 00:29:07.985 --> 00:29:12.325 and we talked about how really all of scripture hinges on the Savior being born 350 00:29:12.585 --> 00:29:15.685 and rescuing God's people and being a blessing to the world. 351 00:29:16.785 --> 00:29:19.445 And so when this angel shows up and makes this declaration, 352 00:29:20.335 --> 00:29:22.565 there would've been this sense of anticipation. 353 00:29:23.775 --> 00:29:27.565 Like you couldn't imagine like years and years of hearing stories and reading 354 00:29:27.566 --> 00:29:29.325 the Torah and reading the prophets and the law, 355 00:29:29.545 --> 00:29:32.965 all of a sudden there's this angel shining with the glory of the Lord that's 356 00:29:32.966 --> 00:29:33.845 essentially saying, Hey, 357 00:29:33.846 --> 00:29:36.365 everything that you've been reading about that you've been hoping for, 358 00:29:36.985 --> 00:29:38.245 it has happened. 359 00:29:38.465 --> 00:29:42.045 The promise you've been believing in your entire life has now come to be. 360 00:29:42.185 --> 00:29:45.325 And so they heard this news and they understand this is great joy. 361 00:29:45.585 --> 00:29:48.405 And so I wanna encourage you, as we're kind of looking for this roadmap, 362 00:29:48.505 --> 00:29:50.445 how do we find this joy in our lives? 363 00:29:52.025 --> 00:29:55.885 We find joy in the promises and in the faithfulness of Jesus. 364 00:29:58.345 --> 00:30:02.525 One of the best things that we can do in our lives to experience joy is simply 365 00:30:02.585 --> 00:30:06.765 to remember the promises that Jesus has made and the faithfulness that he's 366 00:30:06.766 --> 00:30:11.645 shown to us in our lives. Did, you know, depending on which scholar, uh, 367 00:30:11.785 --> 00:30:13.205 you read, um, 368 00:30:14.305 --> 00:30:18.285 you will find that there's over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament that are 369 00:30:18.565 --> 00:30:19.845 fulfilled through Jesus. 370 00:30:20.785 --> 00:30:23.525 And that doesn't even account for God's faithfulness and doing things like 371 00:30:23.715 --> 00:30:27.645 parting the Red Sea, uh, fighting the Israelites battles on their behalf. Like, 372 00:30:27.646 --> 00:30:31.365 like literally having the opposing armies turn on one another and killed one 373 00:30:31.366 --> 00:30:36.205 another. It doesn't talk about answering prayers of men like Moses, Daniel, 374 00:30:36.885 --> 00:30:40.935 Nehemiah. And so I just ask you a question. 375 00:30:43.125 --> 00:30:47.265 How about in your own life? Where have you seen God's faithfulness? 376 00:30:50.475 --> 00:30:52.135 And man, I I, I don't know about you, 377 00:30:52.155 --> 00:30:56.565 but I just being fully transparent with you. I, if it weren't for Jesus, 378 00:30:57.685 --> 00:30:58.518 um, 379 00:30:59.195 --> 00:31:02.835 it's highly likely I would be six feet under the ground or worse, 380 00:31:03.865 --> 00:31:04.555 like I would, 381 00:31:04.555 --> 00:31:07.955 I I would still be alive ruining my life and ruining other people's lives, 382 00:31:08.615 --> 00:31:11.515 but for the, the grace and mercy of our savior. 383 00:31:12.875 --> 00:31:16.075 And so we gotta understand, like in our world, especially in America, 384 00:31:16.295 --> 00:31:20.675 we are programmed to see and to live into what we don't have. Uh, 385 00:31:20.765 --> 00:31:25.635 we're trained about what we see on TV and in social media to focus, uh, 386 00:31:25.695 --> 00:31:30.235 on the things that we don't like, quite honestly, and how bad things are. Um, 387 00:31:30.236 --> 00:31:34.275 those kids in the orphanage, uh, jean leaks in Haiti, 388 00:31:34.545 --> 00:31:38.155 they live day to day trusting in and seeking God to meet their needs. 389 00:31:38.335 --> 00:31:41.275 And he shows up and he answers and meets their needs day by day. 390 00:31:41.415 --> 00:31:44.835 And when you live your life focused on the promises of God and on his 391 00:31:44.836 --> 00:31:47.035 faithfulness, what you really find is joy. 392 00:31:49.115 --> 00:31:53.595 Proverbs 1722, it says, A joyful heart is good medicine, 393 00:31:54.725 --> 00:31:57.545 but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 394 00:31:59.545 --> 00:32:02.965 See, our tendency is really to focus on what's not ideal 395 00:32:04.785 --> 00:32:05.925 and truthfully complain. 396 00:32:08.055 --> 00:32:12.975 And what that leads to is a spirit of cynicism and negativity. 397 00:32:14.435 --> 00:32:18.905 You ever been around a complainer? Somebody laughed. 398 00:32:19.385 --> 00:32:22.825 I don't know who they came with. Make sure they're not talking about you. Uh, 399 00:32:23.415 --> 00:32:26.665 what it does is it, it has a tendency to attract more negative. Um, 400 00:32:26.785 --> 00:32:28.625 I came across this quote this week. It says, 401 00:32:28.825 --> 00:32:31.745 repetitive complaining will attract things for you to complain about. 402 00:32:33.065 --> 00:32:36.665 Repeated gratitude will attract things for you to be thankful about. 403 00:32:37.955 --> 00:32:40.685 I wanna be real careful, like in today's world of New Ages, I'm like that. 404 00:32:40.825 --> 00:32:43.485 I'm not saying that like, Hey, if we have a heart of gratitude, 405 00:32:43.495 --> 00:32:46.005 we're actually gonna make more good things happen to us in our life. 406 00:32:46.005 --> 00:32:47.685 That's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is like, 407 00:32:47.686 --> 00:32:49.485 there's this lens that we put on, that we choose. 408 00:32:49.505 --> 00:32:52.725 How do we want to view the world? Uh, clay Burgess and Tim Ling, 409 00:32:52.726 --> 00:32:54.085 two other pastors on our staff, they, 410 00:32:54.155 --> 00:32:57.085 they routinely talk about Manus followers to Jesus. In today's world, 411 00:32:57.245 --> 00:33:00.445 we gotta be blessing hunters. Like we gotta be looking for these blessings. 412 00:33:00.446 --> 00:33:02.685 And when we see 'em, we gotta celebrate 'em and lift them up high. 413 00:33:02.985 --> 00:33:06.805 We have got to spend time intentionally remembering the promises and the 414 00:33:06.806 --> 00:33:11.205 faithfulness of Jesus that take us to a place of gratitude and joy. 415 00:33:12.845 --> 00:33:15.845 Uh, what I wanna do for us, this is a little different, but uh, 416 00:33:15.925 --> 00:33:20.445 I want to give to you a gift, uh, during our, our service this week. Um, 417 00:33:20.595 --> 00:33:23.725 what I was gonna do is say, Hey, so here's step one. When you go home, 418 00:33:23.775 --> 00:33:26.605 spend some time thinking through the things that you're grateful for in your 419 00:33:26.606 --> 00:33:30.285 life. And I thought, look man, the season's too busy. Um, I got you here. Now, 420 00:33:30.645 --> 00:33:31.565 uh, you're here . 421 00:33:31.905 --> 00:33:36.445 And so what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna give us time right now, uh, 422 00:33:36.505 --> 00:33:39.525 across all of our campuses, one church, multiple locations, 423 00:33:39.625 --> 00:33:41.085 and I'm just gonna give you two minutes. 424 00:33:41.805 --> 00:33:44.605 And what I want you to do in these two minutes, and if you've got a notepad and, 425 00:33:44.606 --> 00:33:47.365 and a pen, something you can write with, or if you wanna open the note section, 426 00:33:48.005 --> 00:33:50.245 uh, on your phone, don't go to social media. 427 00:33:50.625 --> 00:33:54.565 But I wanna give you just a couple minutes to think through the promises of God, 428 00:33:55.265 --> 00:33:56.485 the faithfulness of God, 429 00:33:56.865 --> 00:33:59.445 and the things that you're grateful for in your life right now. 430 00:33:59.745 --> 00:34:00.805 And if you get stuck, 431 00:34:01.145 --> 00:34:05.405 you can open up your photos and just scroll through there and see what it is, 432 00:34:05.885 --> 00:34:07.085 uh, and how God has blessed you. 433 00:34:07.225 --> 00:34:09.565 If you get done in less than two minutes and you wanna turn to your neighbor 434 00:34:09.566 --> 00:34:13.645 that you came with and share and celebrate together as a part of the same church 435 00:34:13.646 --> 00:34:16.805 family, go right ahead and we'll pick it back up in two minutes, 436 00:35:14.755 --> 00:35:19.485 Okay? We're gonna pick back up. Same story. Luke chapter two, 437 00:35:19.725 --> 00:35:24.085 verse 12. Here's what it says. And this will be a sign for you. 438 00:35:24.825 --> 00:35:29.085 You'll find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothing and lying in a manger. 439 00:35:29.864 --> 00:35:33.605 And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of heavenly hosts. 440 00:35:33.606 --> 00:35:36.325 So multiple angels praising God and saying, 441 00:35:36.415 --> 00:35:41.245 glory to God and the highest and on earth peace among those whom he is 442 00:35:41.246 --> 00:35:45.555 pleased. When the angel went away from them into heaven, 443 00:35:45.655 --> 00:35:47.114 the shepherd said to one another, 444 00:35:47.765 --> 00:35:51.475 let's go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, 445 00:35:51.685 --> 00:35:56.035 which the Lord has made known to us. And they went with haste, 446 00:35:56.495 --> 00:35:59.915 and they found Mary and Joseph and the baby living in a manger. 447 00:36:00.855 --> 00:36:04.275 So a bunch of angels show up and they appear and they're praising God and 448 00:36:04.276 --> 00:36:07.315 they're declaring peace on earth, uh, for those of whom God is pleased. 449 00:36:07.455 --> 00:36:09.594 And then the angels go away. And then what do they do? 450 00:36:11.385 --> 00:36:15.465 They like run to Jesus. These guys say, listen, 451 00:36:15.565 --> 00:36:17.105 if this promise has come true, 452 00:36:17.135 --> 00:36:21.225 like if the savior of the world has come and is bringing great joy, 453 00:36:21.525 --> 00:36:25.145 we gotta see it. We gotta be there. And sure enough, when they get there, 454 00:36:25.146 --> 00:36:28.065 they find Jesus, they find the one who is promised. 455 00:36:28.405 --> 00:36:31.185 And so the second stop here on this roadmap to joy is this, 456 00:36:31.186 --> 00:36:34.745 we find joy in our lives in the presence of Jesus. 457 00:36:37.205 --> 00:36:40.525 I think one of the greatest ironies of the Christmas season is this is the time 458 00:36:40.526 --> 00:36:42.645 of the year that we celebrate a, uh, uh, 459 00:36:42.885 --> 00:36:46.364 if they're supposed to represent the steps that Jesus took to come down towards 460 00:36:46.385 --> 00:36:50.765 us. But we've turned it into one of the busiest seasons on the calendar. 461 00:36:51.745 --> 00:36:52.645 And I just wonder, man, 462 00:36:52.844 --> 00:36:57.685 what would happen in our lives if we stopped and 463 00:36:57.686 --> 00:37:00.885 we just spent time every day doing what the shepherds did 464 00:37:02.645 --> 00:37:06.555 and just go to Jesus. And look, I I, 465 00:37:06.675 --> 00:37:11.605 I hope it's obvious Jesus can be with us everywhere, right? Like if we, uh, 466 00:37:11.606 --> 00:37:15.085 the spirit of God goes with us everywhere we go, if we were in Christ Jesus, 467 00:37:15.425 --> 00:37:19.925 but we know we can be in the same room with people and not be connected, right? 468 00:37:19.926 --> 00:37:23.765 Like the TV can be on, we can be on our phones, scroll on Facebook, Instagram, 469 00:37:24.645 --> 00:37:25.065 TikTok, uh, 470 00:37:25.065 --> 00:37:27.925 my kids have friends come over sometimes and I'll walk into the area where they 471 00:37:27.926 --> 00:37:30.805 are. And I'm not kidding. Like in, at the same time, 472 00:37:31.005 --> 00:37:33.325 a video game controller in one hand, a phone in the other, 473 00:37:33.326 --> 00:37:36.685 and they got a laptop going and none of them are talking to each other. 474 00:37:36.864 --> 00:37:41.645 I'm like, what is going on? Uh, I know as adults, 475 00:37:41.835 --> 00:37:44.525 most of us aren't any better. So that's not to, to, to knock on kids. 476 00:37:44.526 --> 00:37:47.364 But we've gotta know that with the pace that we run at in our lives, 477 00:37:50.295 --> 00:37:55.265 it doesn't allow us to slow down and to connect to Jesus and just 478 00:37:55.266 --> 00:37:57.385 to sit in his presence. Our prayer life suffers, 479 00:37:57.386 --> 00:37:59.065 our time engaging scripture suffers. 480 00:38:00.725 --> 00:38:04.265 And then we wonder why we aren't filled with joy. Uh, 481 00:38:04.465 --> 00:38:08.785 I was reminded this week in a study in of, a little bit further in the, 482 00:38:09.125 --> 00:38:11.505 the book of Luke in chapter 10, uh, 483 00:38:11.635 --> 00:38:15.105 Jesus is now an an adult and he's with his disciples and they go to their 484 00:38:15.106 --> 00:38:18.225 friend's house, Mary and Martha, and they show up. 485 00:38:18.245 --> 00:38:21.945 And Martha is like cleaning the house and cooking food and getting everything 486 00:38:21.946 --> 00:38:22.205 ready. 487 00:38:22.205 --> 00:38:25.585 And then Mary's just kinda sitting at the feet of Jesus just listening to him 488 00:38:25.586 --> 00:38:28.864 talk. And at some point Martha's like, okay, enough is enough. Jesus, 489 00:38:28.895 --> 00:38:33.505 will you please tell Mary to get up and help me? And Jesus is like, Martha, 490 00:38:33.605 --> 00:38:37.765 listen, Actually what she's chosen is right. 491 00:38:39.585 --> 00:38:41.005 I'm not gonna take that away from her. 492 00:38:43.775 --> 00:38:46.864 We say we want joy, but we choose busyness, 493 00:38:48.235 --> 00:38:52.335 we choose other things. And you know, there's this saying, uh, 494 00:38:52.336 --> 00:38:54.015 that I believe is true that says, 495 00:38:54.016 --> 00:38:57.415 your life will closely resemble the top five people that you spend the most 496 00:38:57.416 --> 00:39:01.695 amount of time with. You want joy in your life. 497 00:39:04.145 --> 00:39:09.045 Do you spend time in the presence of the one who came as good news to bring joy 498 00:39:09.046 --> 00:39:13.645 to all the world? So I want to encourage you, 499 00:39:14.735 --> 00:39:18.085 especially this holiday seat man, let's spend time in the presence of Jesus. 500 00:39:18.265 --> 00:39:20.445 Be intentional about spending time in prayer. 501 00:39:20.495 --> 00:39:23.605 Let's be intentional about sitting in solitude and just listening. 502 00:39:23.606 --> 00:39:26.765 Let's be intentional about the time that we spend in God's word together. 503 00:39:26.975 --> 00:39:31.415 Let's be intentional about taking a sabbath. I'm just telling you this is, 504 00:39:31.445 --> 00:39:34.395 this is a big one for me. I I don't really, 505 00:39:34.515 --> 00:39:36.155 I I struggle with this one in my life. 506 00:39:36.156 --> 00:39:38.594 What does it mean to set the whole day aside and, 507 00:39:38.875 --> 00:39:42.114 and recognize the world doesn't revolve around my busyness and I can be 508 00:39:42.275 --> 00:39:44.275 dependent on God and remember how he provides for me. 509 00:39:45.925 --> 00:39:50.344 We find joy in the presence of Jesus. I wanna give you another gift, 510 00:39:51.575 --> 00:39:54.145 another two minutes. And 511 00:39:55.705 --> 00:39:58.955 this time what I want you to think through is what are the steps that I can take 512 00:39:59.015 --> 00:40:03.875 in between now and Christmas to make sure that I'm spending intentional time 513 00:40:04.655 --> 00:40:08.675 in the presence of Jesus, seeking the joy that he has for me in my life? 514 00:40:09.344 --> 00:40:10.555 Take the two minutes again. 515 00:40:10.575 --> 00:40:13.555 If you finish up early and you wanna talk with somebody next to you as a part of 516 00:40:13.556 --> 00:40:16.235 your church family, feel free and we'll pick it up in just a bit. 517 00:42:13.245 --> 00:42:18.125 Okay? We're gonna wrap up this text looking at two more verses, verse 17 and 18. 518 00:42:18.405 --> 00:42:22.965 Luke chapter two, it says, and when they, the shepherds, when they saw it, 519 00:42:23.015 --> 00:42:27.405 Jesus, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 520 00:42:28.425 --> 00:42:31.805 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 521 00:42:33.225 --> 00:42:34.885 See, when the shepherds experienced the good news, 522 00:42:34.886 --> 00:42:36.805 when they realized the faithfulness of God, 523 00:42:36.806 --> 00:42:40.645 when they experienced the presence of Jesus, when they experienced this joy, 524 00:42:41.355 --> 00:42:42.525 they couldn't keep it to themselves. 525 00:42:43.395 --> 00:42:46.685 Like they went out immediately and started sharing it with, with other people. 526 00:42:46.905 --> 00:42:51.165 And there's something about experiencing the blessing and the joy of Jesus that 527 00:42:51.166 --> 00:42:54.765 like when you truly encounter it, you just don't keep it to yourself. 528 00:42:54.825 --> 00:42:58.285 You absolutely have to share it. And I'm gonna cut right to this one. 529 00:42:58.286 --> 00:43:00.525 The third step on this roadmap to joy. Uh, 530 00:43:00.785 --> 00:43:04.125 we find joy in sharing the hope that we have in Jesus. 531 00:43:07.045 --> 00:43:10.825 You know, the Bible tells us that it is God's people as the family of God. 532 00:43:11.245 --> 00:43:12.745 We are blessed to be a blessing. 533 00:43:13.825 --> 00:43:18.645 And Jesus grew up and he went into the world and he announced 534 00:43:18.765 --> 00:43:21.645 a new kingdom. He healed the sick. He he forgave sins, 535 00:43:21.646 --> 00:43:24.045 he met needs and he set the church in motion. 536 00:43:24.145 --> 00:43:27.645 And then he tells us to go into the world and to do the same thing. 537 00:43:27.864 --> 00:43:32.395 But I want you to understand it's not out of obligation like it is in 538 00:43:32.715 --> 00:43:36.594 response to the good news and to the great joy that we've received. 539 00:43:37.755 --> 00:43:41.114 Uh, this is why we say our identity as a church family here at Hope, um, 540 00:43:41.395 --> 00:43:46.114 is to be a family who loves God, follows Jesus and shares hope. 541 00:43:46.115 --> 00:43:49.515 Like there's an aspect of what we receive and following Jesus that we just can't 542 00:43:49.516 --> 00:43:50.355 help but share with the world. 543 00:43:50.535 --> 00:43:54.114 But that's why the first step of remembering the promises and the faithfulness 544 00:43:54.175 --> 00:43:57.895 of God is so important. 'cause you know, our tendency, again, 545 00:43:58.195 --> 00:44:00.695 to go back to this, is to focus on our own problems. 546 00:44:01.855 --> 00:44:03.755 Our own ever-changing circumstances, 547 00:44:04.155 --> 00:44:07.755 decisions that were made that we didn't like, things that people did to us. 548 00:44:08.695 --> 00:44:10.475 And then we get so inwardly focused, 549 00:44:10.614 --> 00:44:14.594 our tendency is to get bitter or to think that hey, 550 00:44:14.595 --> 00:44:17.035 maybe our best energy is spent fighting our own battles. 551 00:44:17.036 --> 00:44:19.555 And then we lose sight of what it is that God's done for us. 552 00:44:20.775 --> 00:44:24.465 And then we make it about us. And I just say, church, family, 553 00:44:25.245 --> 00:44:28.025 we talked last week. If we're gonna experience the peace that God has for us, 554 00:44:28.045 --> 00:44:32.245 if we wanna experience joy in our lives, we have got to resist that urge. 555 00:44:32.864 --> 00:44:34.965 We have to remind ourselves of God's faithfulness. 556 00:44:36.105 --> 00:44:40.805 We have to sit in his presence and we have to move to share the hope that we 557 00:44:40.806 --> 00:44:44.745 have with other people. And the truth is, 558 00:44:45.505 --> 00:44:48.745 generous people are the most joyful people that you'll ever meet in your life. 559 00:44:49.835 --> 00:44:52.935 And the reason that is, is because their eyes aren't on themselves. 560 00:44:55.185 --> 00:44:56.885 And so I just wanna ask you this question, like, 561 00:44:57.025 --> 00:44:59.765 if we find joy in sharing the hope that we have in Jesus, 562 00:45:00.025 --> 00:45:04.725 how can you share more of the joy and hope that you have in Jesus? Are, are you, 563 00:45:04.785 --> 00:45:09.405 are we running into the world to share the good news of this gospel with the 564 00:45:09.406 --> 00:45:11.085 world around us? And so you might ask, well Jason, 565 00:45:11.185 --> 00:45:14.405 how in the world how do I do that? What does that look like? 566 00:45:14.425 --> 00:45:17.685 If that's a stop on this roadmap to joy, what does it look like in my life? 567 00:45:18.045 --> 00:45:22.085 And to which I would say that's why it's important for you to sit in the 568 00:45:22.245 --> 00:45:25.094 presence of Jesus. 'cause I don't know exactly what it is for you. 569 00:45:25.095 --> 00:45:29.705 Here's what I do know, because he wants to, he wants you to. 570 00:45:30.305 --> 00:45:33.665 He, he left heaven, uh, he came to earth, he put on human flesh. 571 00:45:34.285 --> 00:45:37.225 He took on our sins on his back on a cross, 572 00:45:37.285 --> 00:45:39.745 and he rose from the grave so that we could have new life. 573 00:45:41.545 --> 00:45:43.765 And he calls his church to be the salt of the earth, 574 00:45:44.205 --> 00:45:48.885 a preservative to be the light of the world in an ever 575 00:45:49.245 --> 00:45:52.205 pressing darkness. Uh, 576 00:45:52.206 --> 00:45:54.685 depending on when you hear this message in about a week, uh, 577 00:45:54.686 --> 00:45:57.045 we're gonna get together across all of our campuses and, 578 00:45:57.046 --> 00:45:59.285 and we're gonna turn off all the lights, alright? 579 00:45:59.545 --> 00:46:03.685 And we're gonna sing Silent Night and we're gonna light candles and it's gonna 580 00:46:03.686 --> 00:46:05.485 be passed around to different people throughout the room. 581 00:46:05.585 --> 00:46:08.485 And what's gonna happen is as the light gets passed around, 582 00:46:08.585 --> 00:46:12.045 the light is going to outshine the darkness. 583 00:46:14.395 --> 00:46:16.855 And my question for us is, as a church, 584 00:46:19.265 --> 00:46:22.965 can we take that from being a symbol and actually live it out in our day-to-day 585 00:46:22.966 --> 00:46:27.645 life, not just something that we do when we get together on Christmas Eve, 586 00:46:27.745 --> 00:46:31.205 but can we actually be that light in a world that desperately needs it? 587 00:46:31.265 --> 00:46:34.005 And so I don't know what it is for you, maybe it's as simple as, Hey, 588 00:46:34.065 --> 00:46:38.005 I'm gonna commit to being joyful at my family Christmas gatherings this year. 589 00:46:39.215 --> 00:46:41.535 Low bar, but important. 590 00:46:42.065 --> 00:46:45.975 Maybe it's to practice gratitude as opposed to complaining. Uh, 591 00:46:45.976 --> 00:46:48.655 maybe it's to pray for God to show you someone in your, 592 00:46:48.675 --> 00:46:51.455 one of your classes at your dorm room, uh, 593 00:46:51.456 --> 00:46:54.415 maybe in your workplace that God would have you share the gospel with or, 594 00:46:54.416 --> 00:46:56.575 or a need that you might should meet. Or maybe, hey, 595 00:46:56.576 --> 00:46:59.255 this is the person that you should invite to one of our Christmas Eve services. 596 00:47:01.685 --> 00:47:06.215 I'll tell you one way that our church family could grow in its ability to share 597 00:47:06.216 --> 00:47:08.285 hope would be if, 598 00:47:08.344 --> 00:47:12.645 if the hundreds or maybe even thousands of those who call hope their church 599 00:47:12.646 --> 00:47:17.635 family home, but who aren't actively a part of a ministry team, 600 00:47:19.305 --> 00:47:22.025 are actually contributing financially to the mission and vision of what it is 601 00:47:22.026 --> 00:47:25.025 that God's calling us into. To just to jump in. 602 00:47:26.705 --> 00:47:29.325 And I'm telling you, if everyone who called home home said, 603 00:47:29.385 --> 00:47:30.605 I'm gonna jump into a ministry, 604 00:47:30.625 --> 00:47:34.645 or I'm going to give generously of my finances the way that God has called me to 605 00:47:34.646 --> 00:47:37.325 in my life, the ministry that happens around this place, 606 00:47:37.585 --> 00:47:42.205 I'm telling you it would increase exponentially. You, 607 00:47:42.206 --> 00:47:45.645 you'd probably see less burnout from some of the other volunteers that give 608 00:47:45.646 --> 00:47:49.745 everything that they have weekend and week out. But I, 609 00:47:49.825 --> 00:47:53.895 I don't know what it is for you, but again, 610 00:47:54.405 --> 00:47:56.535 last time here, I wanna gift you with a little bit of time. 611 00:47:57.155 --> 00:47:59.815 And so I'm gonna give you two minutes. And, uh, 612 00:48:00.215 --> 00:48:03.055 the question I want you to ask yourself is, um, 613 00:48:05.355 --> 00:48:10.305 where is God calling me to put energy and effort to share more of the hope that 614 00:48:10.306 --> 00:48:13.585 I have in Jesus? Again, two minutes, 615 00:48:13.955 --> 00:48:16.825 maybe make some notes you can revisit later. And if you finish up, 616 00:48:16.905 --> 00:48:19.305 I wanna share with someone next to you. I invite you to go right ahead. 617 00:49:44.165 --> 00:49:48.745 Church family, Jesus came for us to experience joy in our lives. 618 00:49:49.844 --> 00:49:54.465 And it makes no sense to me that Christians are viewed 619 00:49:55.125 --> 00:49:59.785 at times as fuddy duddies, is that a word? I can use real word. 620 00:50:01.945 --> 00:50:06.665 We have all the reason in the world to be the greatest partiers on planet earth. 621 00:50:07.945 --> 00:50:10.385 Uh, in, in the Old Testament, God is even like, listen, 622 00:50:10.705 --> 00:50:12.625 I want you to make sure that you set aside time, 623 00:50:12.855 --> 00:50:15.625 that you do every single year to have festivals, 624 00:50:15.844 --> 00:50:18.825 to remember what it is that I have done in your presence, 625 00:50:18.826 --> 00:50:20.905 what I have done for my people. Uh, he says, 626 00:50:20.985 --> 00:50:24.305 I want you to make sure that you take time every single week to stop pretending 627 00:50:24.306 --> 00:50:25.825 like the weight of the world is on your back. 628 00:50:25.826 --> 00:50:27.605 And remember what it is that I've done for you. 629 00:50:28.205 --> 00:50:31.085 Remember how I've provided for you. And I want you to celebrate. In fact, 630 00:50:31.086 --> 00:50:34.525 like if you take the Jason Gore version of like some passages you see in 631 00:50:34.526 --> 00:50:37.405 Deuteronomy, it's like, Hey, if you don't party hard, 632 00:50:37.665 --> 00:50:38.685 I'm gonna wipe out everybody. 633 00:50:39.844 --> 00:50:44.685 I mean like he commands us to go and to party and to celebrate is because he 634 00:50:44.686 --> 00:50:46.805 knows if we lose sight of his goodness, 635 00:50:46.806 --> 00:50:50.325 we're gonna go through life without hope, without peace, without joy. 636 00:50:50.344 --> 00:50:54.445 The roadmap to joy is found in the promises and faithfulness of Jesus 637 00:50:55.765 --> 00:50:59.285 and the presence of Jesus. And in sharing the hope that we have in Jesus, 638 00:51:02.195 --> 00:51:06.585 Spend some time over the next few weeks just kind of reflecting, uh, 639 00:51:06.586 --> 00:51:10.425 on the notes that you took, um, leaning into the presence of God. 640 00:51:10.565 --> 00:51:11.226 But I'm telling you, 641 00:51:11.226 --> 00:51:15.745 if you show me a man or a woman or student who remembers God's faithfulness in 642 00:51:15.746 --> 00:51:16.705 their life regularly, 643 00:51:17.565 --> 00:51:22.385 who regularly spends time at the presence of Jesus and who is actively regularly 644 00:51:22.415 --> 00:51:24.344 sharing the hope that we have in Jesus, 645 00:51:25.344 --> 00:51:29.665 I will show you a man or a woman or student who is filled with the joy of the 646 00:51:29.666 --> 00:51:32.145 Lord regardless of what life throws at them. 647 00:51:34.094 --> 00:51:35.065 This is the bottom line. 648 00:51:36.005 --> 00:51:39.305 Joy is not based in ever-changing circumstances, 649 00:51:41.005 --> 00:51:43.025 but in the unchanging promises of God. 650 00:51:45.985 --> 00:51:50.605 So here's what we're gonna do as people who have a reason to celebrate across 651 00:51:50.665 --> 00:51:52.885 all of our campuses, we're gonna wrap up our time together, 652 00:51:52.886 --> 00:51:54.805 celebrate in a little bit. And I just wanna encourage you, 653 00:51:54.815 --> 00:51:57.445 we're gonna sing joy to the world and I want you to go all in. 654 00:51:58.025 --> 00:51:59.725 We have a reason to celebrate. 655 00:51:59.726 --> 00:52:04.645 We have good news of great joy that a child has been born and 656 00:52:04.646 --> 00:52:05.305 church. Uh, 657 00:52:05.305 --> 00:52:09.725 my prayer is that we would be a church that is filled with and shares the joy 658 00:52:10.114 --> 00:52:13.685 that we have in Christ, our king with the world around us. Love you guys. 659 00:52:13.975 --> 00:52:14.808 Merry Christmas.