in Christian fellowship, in Christian community that we demonstrate our faith and love for It’s Christ. in this community that our Christian character is built and developed. It’s Which brings us to the third aspect of what Christmas is, because III. from fellowship it’s with God through Jesus Christ and with one another that we experience true joy. Christmas is Joy. John says in 1 John 1:4, Christmas means Joy—“Glad write this to make our joy “We complete.” tidings of great In chapter 16 of his Gospel, John tells us that Jesus promised his followers joy!” joy; joy that would be unshakable because the full measure of own joy will be Christ’s reproduced in us. Joy is the result of our life in Christ and our fellowship with Him and with one another. Joy is a reward of right relationships. When we have this joy we do experience happiness, but this joy is not in response to our circumstances; in response to our relationship in Christ. what keeps us upright when we it’s It’s experience the negative, even cruel, circumstances the world can present. We find life in the one who is life—eternal life. Then fellowship and joy grow in us over the years through common practices and experiences, even though not every day is a mountaintop experience in our faith. Our lives will grow and be enriched by daily spiritual disciplines and practices—like daily obedience, reading, prayer, worship, serving our brothers and sisters and our neighbors in name, and by depending on Jesus through times of suffering. Bit by bit our faith will Christ’s grow, and the foundation of our lives will come closer to that deep river of joy. Is this your personal Christmas reality this morning? Have you received the gift of life? Are you experiencing the fellowship that can only be found in Christ? Have you found true and deep joy in knowing Him?
It’s in Christian fellowship, in Christian community that we demonstrate our faith and love for Christ. It’s in this community that our Christian character is built and developed. III. Which brings us to the third aspect of what Christmas is, because it’s from fellowship with God through Jesus Christ and with one another that we experience true joy. Christmas is Joy. John says in 1 John 1:4, “We write this to make our joy complete.” Christmas means Joy—“Glad tidings of great joy!” In chapter 16 of his Gospel, John tells us that Jesus promised his followers joy; joy that would be unshakable because the full measure of Christ’s own joy will be reproduced in us. Joy is the result of our life in Christ and our fellowship with Him and with one another. Joy is a reward of right relationships. When we have this joy we do experience happiness, but this joy is not in response to our circumstances; it’s in response to our relationship in Christ. It’s what keeps us upright when we experience the negative, even cruel, circumstances the world can present. We find life in the one who is life—eternal life. Then fellowship and joy grow in us over the years through common practices and experiences, even though not every day is a mountaintop experience in our faith. Our lives will grow and be enriched by daily spiritual disciplines and practices—like daily obedience, reading, prayer, worship, serving our brothers and sisters and our neighbors in Christ’s name, and by depending on Jesus through times of suffering. Bit by bit our faith will grow, and the foundation of our lives will come closer to that deep river of joy. Is this your personal Christmas reality this morning? Have you received the gift of life? Are you experiencing the fellowship that can only be found in Christ? Have you found true and deep joy in knowing Him?
2dbb9778-6660-4a84-af8d-e5a386129db5_Week+5+-+The+Doctrine+of+Christmas.docx