Advent 3: Joy Arrives! I’m Not Happy with Happiness… Happiness is fickle; can be ruined by a flat tire or a rainy day – circumstantial. Happiness is elusive; it seems the more you try and get it, the harder it is to find. Happiness is fleeting; You can be happy today but it doesn’t seem to last. Happiness is often rooted in the flesh; it’s fickle, elusive and fleeting nature reflects all we are as humans. Joy – Something Different, Something Deeper Maybe the issue here in not happiness itself, but with the inadequacy of the OBJECTS of our happiness? ”Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak… when infinite joy is offered to us… We are far too easily pleased.” -C.S Lewis What if using our own feelings, pleasure and material things as the only measure of happiness misses the point of where true joy is found? The Bible declares many things that may be sources of joy and happiness… Genesis 1, Psalm 65 11-15, 104:15; Jer.33:11; Prov. 23:24-25, 27:9 The object of our joy must be something different, something deeper than the earthly things that cause mere happiness. Joy is an attitude God’s people adopt, not because of constant happy circumstances, but because of their hope in God’s love and promise. The Object of our Joy APPEARS! In Luke 1 & 2, Gabriel/ Angels arrive as messengers of joy! Col. 2 & 3: When Christ, who is your WHOLE LIFE appears – nothing on earth can compare. Hope, peace, joy and love are found in pursuing Jesus and His life together as the family of God. Treasure That Matters, Treasure That Endures Matthew 6:19-21, Hebrews 13:5,6 In the gospels, nearly every time Jesus talks about this kind of “treasure”, he is exhorting someone to sell their possessions and give them to the poor, so they will have treasures in Heaven. Hebrews 13:5,6: “Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be content and thankful with what you have.” BECAUSE: Never will I leave you nor forsake you.” How to Have Lasting Joy in Your Life… What if you moved from fickle, elusive, fleeting stuff, to something different, something deeper? What if enduring happiness, joy, is found in SOMEONE, instead of SOMETHING? What would change in your life, if you make JESUS the object of your JOY?
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Advent 2: Peace Arrives.