Behold the King, Part 2

Jesus was born during the time of the Roman occupation in Israel. So, it wasn’t a time of celebration, gladness, and joy. It was a time of oppression, sadness, cruelty, and grave violence. When the angels showed up to the shepherds and proclaimed, “We bring you good news of great joy…” there was a stark contrast between the message they delivered and the reality people were living in. Perhaps the angels understood that joy was not dependent upon the dark political, social, and moral landscape at the time. God was more committed to their wholeness than their happiness.

The Joy
The Belonging Co

Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee
Maverick City Music

Holy Forever
Chris Tomlin

King of Kings
Hillsong Worship

Jesus at the Center
Israel & New Breed

G. Campbell Morgan
“People were bludgeoned into submission, so that no man or woman, boy or girl dare peep, or chirp or mutter, or call his soul his own, or her own, because of the despot on the throne; that was the darkest hour the world has ever seen.”

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Luke 2:8-12
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

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God is more committed to your wholeness than your happiness.

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How is JOY meant for our wholeness and healing?

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1. Joy Reveals our Universal Need

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Luke 2:10-11
…Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOR, who is Christ the Lord.

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Four Places “Where Joy Goes to Die”
1. The Self
2. Others
3. The World
4. Religion

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2. Joy Reveals our Urgent Need

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Luke 2:11
For unto you is born THIS DAY in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

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Galatians 4:4-5 (CEV)
But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law, so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God’s children.

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2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)
For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.

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