sermon notesAnticipation: Joy
Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui
Scripture: Luke 2:8-14
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Is there a difference between happiness and joy?
The pursuit of happiness is futile.
The pursuit of detachment is frustrating.
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How do we pursue joy? (How do we get our joy back?)
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To pursue joy…
• Find Your Delight: Make a determined effort to spend time in God’s presence
If you want to find your increase your delight, look at Jesus and look to Jesus.
a. Look at Jesus and model your life after his.Joy is rooted in being in communion with God.
b. Look to Jesus and surrender your life to himOur joy is stolen when we forget what Jesus’ birth means.
• Strengthen Your Conviction: Look out for God’s providential acts in your life
Providence: “God’s ability to bring about his good purposes for us and the world, in spite of the human folly and evil”
Whatever God allows into our lives, it’s for one of two purposes:
i. To bring us in relationship with himself
ii. If we already know him, to make us more like his Son