WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.980 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:00:10.460 --> 00:00:13.200 And it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:18.120 Special welcome if you are new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here. 00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:22.100 And we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:22.760 --> 00:00:25.900 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:25.899 --> 00:00:30.939 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good. 00:00:31.239 --> 00:00:35.079 They don't need God's grace and no one so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:35.460 --> 00:00:41.019 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in his word. 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:44.959 Last Sunday, we finished Romans chapter three. 00:00:45.099 --> 00:00:49.960 And so we're pausing for a number of months in our series in the book of Romans. 00:00:49.960 --> 00:00:53.840 We've actually been in the season of Advent for the last couple of weeks. 00:00:53.840 --> 00:01:01.120 And this Sunday, we are going to honor that by turning to the stories surrounding Christ's birth. 00:01:02.120 --> 00:01:07.659 The word Advent comes from a Latin word that means to come or to arrive. 00:01:08.180 --> 00:01:14.080 And so during the Advent season, we celebrate Jesus arriving or coming to earth. 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:16.080 And so we do that in a couple of ways. 00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:19.320 We celebrate what has happened in the past. 00:01:19.320 --> 00:01:23.760 And we sing songs like, Joy to the World, the Lord has come. 00:01:23.840 --> 00:01:27.520 But we don't just celebrate what's happened in the past. 00:01:27.600 --> 00:01:30.960 We also look forward to Jesus' second coming in the future. 00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:35.500 And so we sing songs like, O come, O come, Emmanuel. 00:01:36.579 --> 00:01:41.879 And in fact, when we do that, the Advent season, we're actually doing what is the whole Christian life. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:43.640 Because the Christian life is this. 00:01:43.800 --> 00:01:46.740 We look to what God has done in the past. 00:01:47.480 --> 00:01:48.520 We celebrate that. 00:01:48.519 --> 00:01:53.000 We look forward to what God will do in the future. 00:01:53.479 --> 00:01:54.799 And we long for that. 00:01:55.399 --> 00:01:59.659 And both of those things allow us to be faithful in the present. 00:02:00.739 --> 00:02:02.579 We celebrate God's work in the past. 00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:05.159 We look forward to his work in the future. 00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:08.060 We live faithful lives now. 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:12.340 And so we're going to pick up where we left off last year. 00:02:12.580 --> 00:02:14.539 Last year we were in Luke chapter 1. 00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:17.140 We looked, I believe, at Mary's song. 00:02:17.640 --> 00:02:21.400 And so now we're picking up in Luke chapter 2, starting at verse 8. 00:02:21.640 --> 00:02:25.840 And as we come to this, I want you to remember there's a lot going on in this passage. 00:02:26.020 --> 00:02:30.920 We have fear and peace and Mary and angels and shepherds and glory. 00:02:30.919 --> 00:02:36.899 And we will, in fact, not be able to look at all of those things this morning. 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:38.599 And so this is a rich passage. 00:02:38.599 --> 00:02:41.359 We're going to have a narrow focus. 00:02:41.719 --> 00:02:48.979 We're going to focus on verses 10 and 11, which tell us that there is good news of great joy. 00:02:50.399 --> 00:02:52.859 And as we go through this, we're going to see two things. 00:02:53.339 --> 00:02:55.279 First, the source of joy. 00:02:56.139 --> 00:02:58.899 And second, the response of joy. 00:02:58.900 --> 00:03:04.140 We're going to see the source of joy and then the response of joy. 00:03:05.040 --> 00:03:08.680 And so it's with that I invite you to turn with me now to Luke chapter 2. 00:03:09.240 --> 00:03:11.200 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:13.180 You can turn in your Bible. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:15.420 You can turn on your phone. 00:03:16.200 --> 00:03:19.080 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:03:19.780 --> 00:03:21.900 And Proverbs 30, verse 5, tells us, 00:03:21.900 --> 00:03:24.480 Every word of God proves true. 00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:29.299 He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 00:03:30.199 --> 00:03:34.439 And so that's why we read now Luke chapters 2, starting at verse 8. 00:03:34.439 --> 00:03:41.960 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 00:03:42.659 --> 00:03:48.180 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:51.060 and they were filled with great fear. 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:53.800 And the angel said to them, 00:03:53.800 --> 00:04:02.020 Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 00:04:03.100 --> 00:04:09.300 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:04:10.580 --> 00:04:12.460 And this will be a sign to you. 00:04:13.140 --> 00:04:17.580 You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. 00:04:17.579 --> 00:04:22.539 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, 00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:24.680 praising God and saying, 00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:32.939 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. 00:04:33.879 --> 00:04:34.779 Verse 15. 00:04:35.299 --> 00:04:37.979 When the angels went away from them into heaven, 00:04:38.459 --> 00:04:40.079 the shepherds said to one another, 00:04:40.079 --> 00:04:44.740 Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:47.600 which the Lord has made known to us. 00:04:48.379 --> 00:04:53.240 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. 00:04:54.100 --> 00:04:55.379 And when they saw it, 00:04:55.420 --> 00:04:59.759 they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 00:05:00.840 --> 00:05:04.220 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 00:05:05.100 --> 00:05:09.460 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 00:05:10.460 --> 00:05:14.420 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, 00:05:14.420 --> 00:05:19.800 for all they had heard and seen as it had been told to them. 00:05:21.140 --> 00:05:24.540 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:31.360 he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:37.280 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:05:37.279 --> 00:05:46.000 Our Father in heaven, we do praise you and thank you again that you hold this world together by the word of your power. 00:05:46.839 --> 00:05:50.839 That the Son reminds us that you give life to the earth and life to us. 00:05:51.500 --> 00:05:53.859 That our every breath depends on you. 00:05:54.919 --> 00:05:58.479 But we confess this morning that we are easily distracted. 00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:03.939 That we love many things that won't satisfy. 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:12.640 That we trip over the experiences and memories and conditioning of our past. 00:06:13.500 --> 00:06:17.720 And that we desperately need you and your spirit to move among us. 00:06:17.720 --> 00:06:20.960 And so we ask that you would do that this morning. 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:26.320 That you would pour out your Holy Spirit in a special way in this room on these people. 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:30.500 That you would be with us as we hear from you in your word. 00:06:31.100 --> 00:06:32.560 That you challenge us. 00:06:32.780 --> 00:06:33.860 You'd encourage us. 00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:36.940 That most of all, that you would show us Jesus. 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:42.640 That we would see his beauty and glory and mercy and grace and love. 00:06:43.220 --> 00:06:44.540 And that it would change us. 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:47.780 We ask these things in his mighty name. 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:48.780 Amen. 00:06:53.680 --> 00:07:03.759 If you could choose one thing that would give you more joy, what would you choose? 00:07:06.900 --> 00:07:10.340 Would you choose a clean house? 00:07:10.339 --> 00:07:15.299 Maybe you would choose more money. 00:07:17.299 --> 00:07:21.159 Maybe your hope is to be independently wealthy. 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:31.500 Maybe you think the secret to joy is that your spouse would finally turn towards you. 00:07:31.500 --> 00:07:34.319 And see you. 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:36.779 And listen to you. 00:07:37.339 --> 00:07:38.899 For the first time. 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:40.560 In a long time. 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:47.779 Maybe you would have joy if someone finally recognized your accomplishments. 00:07:49.480 --> 00:07:52.139 And saw how important you are. 00:07:52.139 --> 00:07:59.599 Maybe you have a relationship with a family member that is strained or cut off. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:04.719 Maybe there's injustice that's been done in the world. 00:08:04.779 --> 00:08:08.839 And you think if there could just, that could just be made right. 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:11.379 I could feel joy again. 00:08:13.879 --> 00:08:16.199 Maybe, and you wouldn't admit this one out loud. 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:18.139 Maybe it's revenge. 00:08:18.139 --> 00:08:27.659 If that person could finally pay for that thing they did, then I could feel whole and complete. 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:33.580 What does it take to get there? 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:41.419 What will it take for you to feel and have joy? 00:08:41.419 --> 00:08:42.419 What will it take for you to feel and have joy? 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:47.519 This passage in Luke chapter 2 raises that question for us. 00:08:47.979 --> 00:08:49.719 We start at verse 8. 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:52.399 But it's important to know what we're picking up from. 00:08:53.039 --> 00:08:59.279 Verse 8 starts with what's happening with the angels appearing to the shepherds. 00:08:59.439 --> 00:09:02.039 But we have just come off verse 7. 00:09:02.579 --> 00:09:05.079 And verse 7 is actually the birth of Christ. 00:09:05.199 --> 00:09:05.980 It says this. 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:17.120 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the end. 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:20.920 So verses 1 through 7 of Luke 2 is the birth story. 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:24.539 Now verse 8 through 21, we have the immediate follow-up. 00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:29.060 That means when you read in verse 8 that it says it's in the same region. 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:33.620 It's in the same region that Jesus has been born. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:40.100 This is the response to Jesus' advent, his coming to the earth. 00:09:41.100 --> 00:09:42.240 And so we're off to the races. 00:09:42.860 --> 00:09:44.539 Things move fast in this passage. 00:09:44.700 --> 00:09:49.600 Verse 9, an angel appears and the shepherds are terrified. 00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:53.500 We're told that they are filled with great fear. 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:57.919 Now remember I told you that this is a dense, a rich passage. 00:09:57.919 --> 00:09:59.440 We're going to have a narrow focus. 00:09:59.440 --> 00:10:06.160 We could have an entire sermon about the fact that these angels are filled with great fear. 00:10:07.320 --> 00:10:09.800 Before we know it though, we're right there. 00:10:09.940 --> 00:10:13.260 We've jumped very quickly to the idea of joy. 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:15.020 Look with me at verse 10. 00:10:15.880 --> 00:10:18.500 The angel says, fear not. 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:27.320 And why is it that they shouldn't be afraid by what is in fact a terrifying sight, this army of angels? 00:10:28.440 --> 00:10:30.159 They're not supposed to fear. 00:10:30.840 --> 00:10:31.919 Again, verse 10. 00:10:32.700 --> 00:10:37.379 Because I bring you good news of great joy. 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:44.820 Now, this had better be a pretty big joy, right? 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:53.200 It has to be a joy big enough to chase away a pretty big fear. 00:10:54.419 --> 00:10:55.019 What are we told? 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:58.120 Verse 9, remember they're filled with great fear. 00:10:59.019 --> 00:11:01.220 Not normal fear, big fear. 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:04.980 And so what is it that they need to chase that away? 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:06.860 They don't need normal joy. 00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:08.740 They need big joy. 00:11:09.660 --> 00:11:14.259 It's going to have to be a joy that is bigger than their fear. 00:11:15.440 --> 00:11:20.279 Thankfully, we don't have to wait long to find out what this big joy is. 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:21.600 Verse 11, 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:33.060 There you go. 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:35.860 I solved it for you. 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:40.420 You're not feeling joy this Christmas season? 00:11:41.460 --> 00:11:42.820 Just read verse 10. 00:11:44.019 --> 00:11:45.259 That'll solve it for you. 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:47.019 That's all you need to know. 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:49.120 We can close our Bibles. 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:50.560 We can go home and pray. 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:56.519 Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:11:57.720 --> 00:11:59.399 What is the source of joy? 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:03.259 The big joy is that Jesus is born. 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:07.159 Now, you might be thinking, that's great. 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:10.540 Of course you're going to say that, Matthew. 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:11.740 You're a preacher. 00:12:12.820 --> 00:12:15.460 And it is your job to come to us and say, 00:12:15.820 --> 00:12:16.460 guess what? 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:20.379 You can have great joy because of Jesus. 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:24.460 And you might be thinking, yeah, I've grown up in the church for a long time. 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:25.779 I know that. 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.799 I don't need you to tell me. 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:29.759 It's Christmas, of course. 00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:36.879 But I have great fear, and it hasn't been cast out. 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:44.799 Verse 10 has not magically solved all of my problems. 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:53.539 How do I find, how do I get this great joy? 00:12:53.539 --> 00:13:04.159 What is it about the city of David having a Savior who is Christ the Lord? 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:11.000 What is it about that that is a big joy that can chase away big fears? 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:16.720 Samuel Johnson was an English writer in the 18th century, and he said this, 00:13:17.559 --> 00:13:22.820 people need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed. 00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:30.139 People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed. 00:13:30.139 --> 00:13:34.779 And so this morning, I am here to do one thing. 00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:38.100 I am here to remind you. 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:46.120 I'm here to remind you of what the great joy is that comes from the birth of Jesus the King 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:48.199 in the city of David. 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:54.779 How does Jesus being born give us great joy? 00:13:54.779 --> 00:14:01.439 Well, one of the answers we've already sang. 00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:05.600 You sang this morning the song, Come, People of the Risen King. 00:14:06.039 --> 00:14:08.039 This is on page two of your worship guide. 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:11.139 And what have we already sung together but this? 00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:17.319 For his perfect love will never change, and his mercies never cease. 00:14:17.959 --> 00:14:24.079 But follow us through all our days with the certain hope of peace. 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:32.299 There are many people in this world who have a hope for peace. 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:37.899 They do not have a certain hope. 00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:45.079 Christian, you do. 00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:50.039 You have a certain hope. 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:52.439 You actually know the future. 00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:55.860 Jesus has been born. 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:57.740 He's come in his first coming. 00:14:58.120 --> 00:14:59.900 What is your certain hope? 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:04.720 That you know he's returning in his second coming. 00:15:08.520 --> 00:15:16.740 Your hope is not that some billionaire or politician will finally fix the world and make things right. 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:20.480 No, they're not powerful enough. 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:31.419 Your hope is that the sovereign king of the universe has promised that as the most powerful power in the whole world, 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:35.159 the power against which nothing can stand, 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:38.759 will come and make all things right. 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:42.899 You, Christian, don't have a hope. 00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:45.399 You have a certain hope. 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:50.480 You do know what will come to pass, 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:58.919 and it will come to pass because unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:15:58.919 --> 00:16:07.399 We sang this on page six with O come, O come, O come Emmanuel. 00:16:08.459 --> 00:16:11.439 Did envy, strife, and quarrels cease? 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:15.979 Fill the whole world with heaven's peace. 00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:20.980 That was not a pie-in-the-sky hope that we sang. 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:26.580 No, we were reminding God of his promise that he's made to his people and saying, 00:16:26.800 --> 00:16:28.120 yes, keep it. 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:34.019 As we look around the world and see the turmoil that it's in, 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:37.860 make it true what you've said that you will bring peace to the people. 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:45.419 And how do we know that we can say this with a certain hope? 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:51.919 We know because Jesus, God, has already made the down payment. 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:53.480 Right? 00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:57.039 Remember I told you Advent is about looking to what God has done in the past 00:16:57.039 --> 00:16:59.399 and looking forward to what he will do in the future. 00:16:59.700 --> 00:17:02.620 How do we know that God will do this in the future? 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:08.559 We know this because the resurrection of the Son of God. 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:15.259 Ephesians chapter one, the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in you. 00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:20.799 Jesus' resurrection tells us that there is a supernatural, evil-killing, 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:23.779 life-restoring power at work in this world. 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:30.359 And so we know that Jesus is coming back. 00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:34.859 Let me put it this way. 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:46.179 Christian, you have a better hope and a better future than Elon Musk, 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:50.819 who is the richest man in the world. 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:56.379 You have a better hope and you have a better future than him. 00:17:58.059 --> 00:18:02.179 You know more about the future than Elon Musk does. 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:11.239 If you're in Christ, you have more security than Elon Musk does. 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:17.859 What is it that people with that kind of wealth do if not measure and manage risk? 00:18:18.899 --> 00:18:24.279 Christian, you have less risk to manage than Bill Gates 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:30.839 because you know that Jesus is coming back. 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:32.940 Why? 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:41.359 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:43.279 Wow. 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:43.359 Wow. 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:50.199 Do you believe that? 00:18:58.319 --> 00:18:59.359 Do you believe it? 00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:05.199 I've told you about the future of this world. 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:06.399 We've sung about it. 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:09.179 But this is not just about the future of the world. 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:12.699 This passage also talks about your future. 00:19:13.699 --> 00:19:16.779 Verse 11 doesn't just tell us it is Christ the Lord. 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:19.399 It tells us that we have a Savior. 00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:26.060 And it goes on to tell us in verse 14 that there will be on earth peace. 00:19:27.040 --> 00:19:29.720 And this peace is going to be for a specific group of people. 00:19:30.280 --> 00:19:33.620 Among those with whom he is pleased. 00:19:33.619 --> 00:19:42.239 It is not merely or simply that we know that God is coming back to restore all things 00:19:42.239 --> 00:19:48.000 and that the promise that was made in Jesus' first coming and in his death and his resurrection will be completed. 00:19:49.139 --> 00:19:53.379 It is also that if you follow after Jesus Christ, 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:59.399 he is at work by his Holy Spirit in a powerful way to restore your relationship with God, 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:03.620 your relationship with others, your relationship with this world, 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:05.500 and your relationship with yourself. 00:20:07.540 --> 00:20:11.440 That, brothers and sisters, is peace on earth. 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:19.400 Remember, I've told you all before, 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:25.259 there are many people who want to, who are looking forward to saying to God, 00:20:25.800 --> 00:20:27.920 God, what have you done? 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:31.440 Why did you let the world get broken as it is? 00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:34.620 And remember, I've told you, God's going to turn around and say, 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:37.039 no, what have you done? 00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:41.920 Which is a way of saying that we are the problem with this world. 00:20:42.060 --> 00:20:46.940 It is our sin that has caused it to be broken and falling apart. 00:20:48.800 --> 00:20:52.960 There is good news of great joy because if you are in Christ, 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:58.180 God is in the process of knitting you and your life back together. 00:20:58.180 --> 00:21:07.720 And that is more than we can say for many of the billionaires or politicians of this world. 00:21:09.080 --> 00:21:12.180 You have a greater hope than them. 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:16.880 I'll even suggest you're more powerful than them. 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:21.980 Because when God sent Jesus to die on your behalf, 00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:24.720 he did not just pardon your sins, 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:27.840 but he said, you are one of Jesus' brothers or sisters. 00:21:28.060 --> 00:21:29.600 I have adopted you. 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:32.100 You have access to me. 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:41.939 Elon Musk does not come before the throne room of God as one of his children as far as I know. 00:21:43.159 --> 00:21:44.000 You do. 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.039 Wow. 00:21:50.039 --> 00:22:00.019 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:04.960 And so I bring us back to our first question. 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:09.339 If you could choose one thing that would give you more joy, 00:22:09.899 --> 00:22:11.339 what would you choose? 00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:21.039 What this passage teaches us among many things is that our joy is not in our circumstances. 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:24.319 Our joy comes from our hope. 00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:28.500 Our joy is not in our circumstances. 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:31.659 Our joy is in our hope. 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:36.159 John Calvin in his sermon on this passage points out 00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:40.879 that these shepherds' circumstances have changed in no way. 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.699 They are still shepherds. 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:48.039 They are still the lowest class of society. 00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:55.059 In fact, it was so bad, commentators remind us that shepherds were not allowed to testify as witnesses in court. 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:57.779 That's how bad off they were. 00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:00.500 And what is it that they do? 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.759 Verse 17. 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:04.900 Verse 17. 00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:06.140 Verse 17. 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:07.559 And they saw it. 00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:12.579 They made known the saying and told them concerning this child. 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:15.220 Verse 20. 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:23.140 The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen as it had been told them. 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:25.660 Notice what it doesn't say. 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:32.480 It doesn't say the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God because they had picked the right lottery ticket. 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:42.440 It doesn't tell you that the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God because all the problems in their lives had been ironed out. 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:53.480 No, they were filled with glory and praise to God because unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:59.680 Christian, that is your joy. 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:06.759 Your joy is that Jesus is your hope. 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:13.160 Your joy is not in your circumstances. 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:19.360 What is it that Psalm 46 reminds us of? 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:24.659 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:34.500 Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea. 00:24:36.439 --> 00:24:37.639 What is it saying? 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:42.519 Imagine the worst circumstances you can imagine, right? 00:24:42.899 --> 00:24:45.399 The mountains are falling into the sea. 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:49.019 God is your refuge and strength. 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.359 God is your refuge and strength. 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:51.359 God is your refuge and strength. 00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:53.099 Proverbs tells us this as well. 00:24:54.939 --> 00:24:56.659 Proverbs 1 chapter 15. 00:24:56.839 --> 00:25:03.659 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. 00:25:06.459 --> 00:25:11.639 God is better than anything else. 00:25:14.439 --> 00:25:16.719 The next verse tells us the same thing. 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:25.319 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:32.059 This is a whole other sermon, but I'll tell you what many of you already know. 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:38.279 There are many tables with fattened oxes that have a side of hatred. 00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:44.279 Our hope is not in circumstances. 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:49.680 Our hope is in Jesus the King. 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:56.259 Now, you'll remember I told you that I have two points. 00:25:56.360 --> 00:26:01.160 The source of joy, also the response of joy. 00:26:02.060 --> 00:26:07.259 The source of joy, we've seen a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:26:08.320 --> 00:26:09.860 The passage tells us something else, though. 00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:12.799 It also tells us the response of joy. 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:20.619 Notice that the angels and the shepherds do the very same thing. 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:28.139 Angels, verses 13 and 14, praise God. 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:35.039 Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.960 So the angels see this. 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:38.139 They're filled with praise. 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:40.860 What do the shepherds do? 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.940 They see this. 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:45.160 They are filled with praise. 00:26:45.280 --> 00:26:45.900 Verse 20, 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:55.040 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen as it had been told them. 00:26:56.920 --> 00:27:00.480 You'll see this on page two of your worship guide, again from John Calvin. 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:08.319 When God makes us glad and shows us his favor, we cannot remain passive. 00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:19.700 Joy should move and provoke us to give him glory, for he has drawn us out of the pit of death and has brought us to the kingdom of life. 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:23.319 Do you know that God's brought you from the pit of death? 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:26.220 And you're in the kingdom of life? 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:31.600 In order that we should praise him forever. 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:36.420 That's the response of joy. 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:39.200 That's where we know where our hearts are at. 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:44.059 True joy overflows in praise to God. 00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:50.100 True joy overflows in praise to God. 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:52.140 What was it we talked about last week? 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:53.980 Romans chapter 3, verse 27. 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:56.140 What becomes of our boasting? 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:58.039 Not allowed. 00:27:59.360 --> 00:28:04.039 Our praise and all of our praise is to God alone. 00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:08.259 Where's your praise at? 00:28:10.880 --> 00:28:12.200 Who are you praising? 00:28:15.120 --> 00:28:16.420 What are you praising? 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:28.680 It's often said that money is both the thermometer and the thermostat of our life, of our hearts. 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:31.000 We could say the same thing about praise. 00:28:32.080 --> 00:28:35.560 Praise is both the thermometer and the thermostat. 00:28:35.560 --> 00:28:39.759 Do you want to know where your joy is at? 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:42.119 Look at your praise. 00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:46.559 What you're praising and who you're praising. 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.599 That's the thermometer. 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:49.160 It measures. 00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:50.819 It shows us where we're at. 00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:51.779 It doesn't change anything. 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.119 It just reveals. 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:54.039 That's the thermometer. 00:28:54.879 --> 00:28:57.900 The thermostat, though, changes the temperature. 00:28:59.299 --> 00:29:01.839 Do you want to have more joy? 00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:05.720 Then praise God. 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:13.740 It is not an accident that we started our service by saying this. 00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:16.000 Rejoice, the Lord is king. 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:20.819 Your Lord and king adore. 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:28.319 What are we doing together here on Sunday morning if not turning up the temperature on our joy? 00:29:29.159 --> 00:29:31.740 In our praise to God. 00:29:32.859 --> 00:29:33.980 Because what are we doing? 00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:38.119 We're recognizing that he is our ultimate hope. 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:44.460 It's our praise that shows us where our heart is at. 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.899 Our praise is the thermometer. 00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:52.720 It's our praise that reorients us to what is true and real. 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:56.180 It's our praise that is the thermostat. 00:29:58.920 --> 00:30:00.620 Where is your praise? 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:11.040 I tell people sometimes that in my seven and a half years at this church, 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:14.080 I have pastored two or three churches. 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:17.299 Because this is a highly mobile congregation, right? 00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:19.599 Most folks only stay two to four years. 00:30:20.419 --> 00:30:22.960 And so if you make it past the four-year mark here, 00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:26.879 congratulations, you are what I call an old-timer. 00:30:29.199 --> 00:30:30.139 Not an insult. 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:31.480 It doesn't mean you're old. 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:32.899 It means you're an old-timer. 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:33.740 Okay? 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.859 So I'm an old-timer. 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:36.599 Some of you are old-timers. 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:41.859 If you are old-timers, you will remember Liz Bergsten. 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:48.679 Liz Bergsten was a member of our congregation faithfully for many years. 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:53.559 By the way, if you know Bill Bergsten, one of our deacons, Liz was Bill's mom. 00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:57.279 Liz died in October of 2020. 00:30:57.279 --> 00:31:03.279 She served faithfully here at Cheyenne Mountain as a Sunday school teacher. 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:08.980 Liz had many setbacks and disappointments in life. 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.960 She had a divorce. 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:15.799 She had failing health, especially at the end of her life. 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:20.119 And when you've been a pastor somewhere for seven and a half years, 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:24.019 there are images that haunt you and you will never forget. 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:29.759 And one of the ones that haunts me and I will never forget is of Liz Bergsten 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:31.259 near the end of her life. 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:34.980 Liz would sit over there right about where Scott Sage and Min Garcia are. 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:37.740 She would come in with her walker. 00:31:38.599 --> 00:31:43.519 And during the singing time, she would be gripping her walker, 00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:47.339 shouting out to God as loud as she could. 00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:48.960 Right? 00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:51.200 She was not in the best of health. 00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:53.879 She was not in the best of circumstances. 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:57.799 She was filled with praise to God. 00:31:58.940 --> 00:32:03.039 And I remember looking out one Sunday and seeing her sitting over there, 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:07.139 and you could see her hands were gripping the sides of her walker 00:32:07.139 --> 00:32:09.440 with all the strength she had. 00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:17.879 And the strength she had left over was going to sing to God as loud as she could. 00:32:19.359 --> 00:32:21.039 Liz's body was failing. 00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:24.440 She was filled with joy. 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:28.879 Filled with praise to God. 00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:32.619 A joy not from circumstances. 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:37.379 A joy because Liz knew, 00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:40.819 unto you is born this day in the city of David, 00:32:41.139 --> 00:32:43.940 a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:46.900 Let's pray. 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:49.500 Our Father in heaven, 00:32:49.620 --> 00:32:53.820 we do praise you and thank you that you have given us great joy. 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:58.400 Greater joy than the most powerful people in the history of this world. 00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:01.680 That you have shamed the strong, 00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:03.140 and you've honored the weak. 00:33:03.640 --> 00:33:06.080 We ask that you would remind us of that this morning, 00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:09.519 that it would give us true and real and full joy, 00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:12.639 not in wealth or circumstances or health, 00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:13.680 but in you. 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:16.960 And we ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:17.500 Amen.