Preparing for the Lord's Day
Advent: Joy
Johnathan Edwards once wrote, “Self-denial will also be reckoned amongst the troubles of the godly… But whoever has tried self-denial can give in his testimony that they never experienced greater pleasure and joys than after great acts of self-denial.” On the third Sunday of Advent, we focus on the theme of joy. Yet we can often miss the biblical pathway to joy. We tend to think that joy comes when we have all that we want. Joy comes when we get the Christmas presents we were longing for. Joy comes with the Christmas dinner and the Christmas desserts. These earthly blessings may bring joy at the moment, nevertheless, there is a lasting joy that only comes when we are willing to follow the path laid out for us by Christ. This Sunday we will continue our Advent series by going to John 16:16-24. Here we will see that true lasting joy only comes in the presence of Christ. To come prepared for worship take time this week to read and meditate upon John 16:16-24, Psalm 16:11; 30:5, Jeremiah 31:34, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Peter 1:8, James 1:2, and this article on Sorrow and Joy.
As we gather this third Sunday of Advent, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “Joy to the World”, the Acclamation of Praise “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates!”, and the Hymn of Response “Angels from the Realms of Glory”. Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives so that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!
Sermon Information:
Text: John 16:16-24
Title: The Joy in Sorrow
Outline:
- Every Christian Must Know the Nature of Christ’s Presence (vv. 16-20)
- Every Christian Must Experience the Sorrow of Christ’s Absence (vv. 21-22)
- Every Christian Must Pray for the Joy of Christ’s Presence (vv. 23-24)