joy Week 2 Advent 2015 BCS Deaf Church Dec 6, 2015

JOY: What makes you happy?

What makes your parents happy?

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Our Advent Conspiracy Project: Trying to raise $1,000 for Samaritan’s Purse working with Syrian refugees in Greece.

Worship “Joy to the World” – Shaun Groves http://viewpure.com/b_Qb2IYbmdk?start=0&end=0

Worship “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” – Martina McBride http://viewpure.com/v2pX9EA64v0?start=0&end=0

Have you ever met a joyful person? Anyone want to share: Who in your life is the person most filled with joy? What is it about joy-filled people? What seems to fill them with joy?

Joy vs. Happiness Q: What is the difference between happiness and Joy? Is there a difference? Q: Is Joy just an emotion? Or is it more?

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Joy “Happiness” is an emotion. It is dependent on what is happening in your life at the time. “Joy” is deeper. It is a deep satisfaction and peace in the soul that can not be robbed by circumstances. “Joy” is a “fruit of the Spirit” – Galatians 5:22-23 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self- control.

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Joy Is it OK that we pursue joy? “All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves.” - Blaise Pascal

True Joy Problem: We do not try to find joy in the only real place where we can find it – in desiring God Himself. When we pursue joy elsewhere – these things become idols and fail us every time!

Jesus Wants Us To Have Joy! John 15:9-13 (Jesus speaking) 9“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my JOY may be in you and that your JOY may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

True Joy Q: Why did God create people? Q: How can we glorify God the most? • God is most glorified in us when we are the most delighted in Him! • God created us to share in His joy!

Joy What is joy? It is a deep, durable delight found only in God that ruins your desire for anything else. Everything else becomes small. It ruins your motivation for all other pursuits of pleasure that are not God. Q: Why can we not find real joy anywhere else? Psalm 37:4 - “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” Because HE IS THE DESIRE of every heart!

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Luke 2:8-15 8“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.””

Our Joy Is From God’s Glory The Glory of God is where we find our Joy! When we find our joy in God – it glorifies God!

Joy to the World Q: Why are so many people happy at Christmas time? • just a little taste of the joy they really could have. Q: Why is the Christmas joy so fleeting for people? • because they do not find their joy in God … only in things. American cultural Christmas is the clash between things and God!

Christmas Joy Romans 15:12-13 12And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse (Jesus) will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” 13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How Do We Find More Joy in God? • Worship • Focus on His glory • Focus less on things around us • Focus more on others • Obey him (John 15)

Prayer • Haley’s Dad is in the hospital recovering from surgery, experiencing post-op fever and pain • Jena’s friend, Sandy, just passed away • Liz’s friend, Sarah, needs a heart transplant. She is away from home and her young children for treatments. The costs of her treatment are putting a significant financial burden on her family. • The Meltons' niece, Isla, was born prematurely and is in the NICU

announcements • 12/13 – Second Sunday Supper and Christmas celebration after church. Dinner will be provided. Bring a friend to celebrate! • Today is Ella’s birthday! • 12/13 – Grace Bible Church 50th Anniversary Celebration at Reed Arena, 6:00 PM. Interpreters will be provided.