You're listening to Mountain View Church Audio, Christ-centered teaching from the Wilderness City, Whitehorse, UConn. Here's this week's message.
Joy is so much more than a feeling. It's more than what's happening all around you. It's more than an emotion that you might be experiencing. It's deeper, but it's often mixed up with happiness. Happiness and joy are not the same thing. Happiness is like a temporal feeling. It's a short-lived reaction to something external, like the feeling you get after a great meal or a thoughtful gift. It's the comfort that's experienced when receiving encouragement or affection.
But, like all those moments, happiness comes and goes with the highs and lows of life. Joy, on the other hand, goes so much deeper. Where happiness relies on circumstances, joy holds steady, even when life gets tough. True joy is unshakable. It's an internal disposition rooted in purpose or faith, and it's often connected to something more significant than ourselves, something outside of ourselves, something greater. But let's think of it another way. When happiness is missing, it's usually tied to a moment. There's a missed opportunity or an experience, but life moves on.
When joy is absent, it leaves a much bigger void. Without joy, there's a sense of emptiness and a longing that we try to fill with more happiness, pleasures, and experiences. But they never work. Not in the long term, anyway. That's because joy is tied to who we are and what gives life meaning. Joy keeps us going when happiness runs out. Joy can be experienced even in the hardest of struggles. But we can't manufacture it on our own. That being said...
The deepest, most abiding joy is available to everyone, including you. It's a gift given by God in the person and power of his son, Jesus Christ. And central to this week's Advent message, joy overflowing. Over the past two weeks, we've explored the hope and the peace of Jesus. Now together, we'll see how joy rooted in surrendering our lives to Jesus has the power to transform us from the inside out.
Welcome to Mountain View Church. My name is Jeremy. Whether you're joining us in person or online, I am so glad you're here. If this is your first time, we'd love to connect with you. If you're gathering in-house, you can fill out one of those Connect cards that's found on the seats in front of you, hand it into the welcome desk. If you're watching online or maybe you're listening to the podcast or radio, simply visit mountainview.church slash connect or text connect to the number on the screen, which is 867-322-8001, and that'll get you started.
For parents out there, our Basecamp Children's Program runs during the Sunday morning gatherings so your kids can have a fun environment and learn in a format that's designed just for them. For our families online, check out mountainview.church slash basecamp for downloadable video lessons and activities that you can enjoy at home. Finally, for our middle school and high school students, those teenagers out there, we have a youth group every Sunday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. It's a great opportunity to connect with other students and grow in your faith. Check out mountainview.church slash youth for more info. Now, let's get back to our focus on joy with this week's scripture reading.
As we celebrate the third week of Advent, we light the candle representing joy. Today's scripture reading comes from Psalms 47, verses 1 through 7. Sing praises to God, sing praises. Sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with a psalm.
Maybe you're new to Christianity, or you're just beginning to explore biblical history. If that's you, it's helpful to know that the Psalms are a unique set of scriptures. They were written as songs to be sung, or maybe as poetry to be recited. But what makes them even more extraordinary is that some of these songs have prophetic lyrics. God in his wisdom gave the writers of the Psalms hundreds of prophetic words pointing forward to a time when the Messiah, a Savior, would arrive. Theologians believe that Psalm 47 is one of those Psalms.
For the people of Israel, these lyrics are joyful. They're a celebration that flows from God's universal kingship. The call to worship is rooted in God's sovereign reign, pointing to restoration through the future Messiah. These words were originally written for Israel, who were looking forward to a future time that was yet to be fulfilled. And yet, they're written for us as well. In this moment, we recite them with the same joyful anticipation, but we look forward to the day when Jesus will return, and he will reign as king eternal. Let's take another look at verses 1 and 7 together.
The psalmist calls out, clap your hands, all peoples. Shout to God with loud songs of joy. And then in verse 7, for God is the king of all the earth. Sing praises with a psalm. This joy-filled response isn't simply an act of worship based on religious tradition. It's a jubilant acknowledgement of the life-giving transformative power of God's reign. It points to the joy that comes when all creation recognizes that the Messiah's kingship over the earth is forever. Joy and praise will flow from recognizing and submitting to God's reign over the earth.
which is ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. God will give his son the authority to rule in heaven and on earth. Theologian Charles Spurgeon reflects on this connection. He writes, he is a great king over all the earth, not over Judea only, but even to the utmost isles in his reign extends. How glorious will that era be when this is seen and known of all, when in the person of Jesus, all flesh shall behold the glory of the Lord.
Spurgeon emphasizes that God's kingship is not confined to a single nation, but extends to the entire earth, a vision fulfilled in the universal reign of Jesus Christ. This universal kingship invites us to respond with overflowing joy and true, deep, heartfelt praise. If you fast forward to the last book of the Bible, the Apostle John was given a revelation about Jesus, about his second coming. It says, on his robe, that being Jesus' robe, and on his thigh, he has a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. No one is above Jesus. No other king or lord is above Jesus. And one day, he'll return to reign and rule over all nations of people who choose to make them their king. Under his just and merciful rule, we will live eternally in unspeakable joy.
A joy that's overflowing, that isn't just reserved for the future, but is available to us here and now. It really is. And we catch a glimpse of this joy in the Christmas story, both before and after the Messiah's birth. For example, when Mary, newly pregnant with Jesus, visits her relative Elizabeth, a miracle unfolds. Joy isn't just expressed, it's felt and experienced at the deepest level imaginable.
And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she exclaimed with a loud cry, blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.
And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed. For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name, and his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. As these two expectant mothers come together, they find themselves joyfully swept up into a story that's far greater than anything they could have anticipated. Elizabeth's baby, who would grow up to be John the Baptist and would baptize Jesus, leaps inside of her with joy.
just being in the presence of the mother of the Messiah. They're both in utero. It's incredible. And yet the power of God's spirit is massive. And John recognizes and responds to Jesus, responds to the presence of Messiah. This is a beautiful and prophetic display of joy that transcends human understanding. But it's a pointer to the life-altering power of Jesus' presence to everyone who will experience him. Now, just months later, shepherds are chosen to experience the same joy. After Jesus' birth, a group of shepherds are in the fields watching their sheep outside of Bethlehem.
Suddenly, they receive an angelic proclamation of the Messiah's arrival. Let's check it out in Luke 2, 16 to 20. And they, being the shepherds, went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Overwhelmed with joy, they hurry to find the newborn king. Then after meeting him, they are so filled with celebration, just the glory of it all, that they run all over town, sharing the good news with anyone and everyone they encounter. Their joy wasn't centered on seeing the child in the manger. It flowed from being in the presence of the newborn king, the promised Messiah that all of Israel had been waiting for. Their joy becomes contagious. They can't keep it to themselves. They're compelled to spread the news to anyone and everyone, leaving no doubt about the life-changing power that is in Jesus' arrival. That's in his presence. But let's come back to that concept that I mentioned earlier, how God gave Jesus his authority. And Jesus himself proclaimed this after his death and resurrection, before he gave the disciples the Great Commission and ascended to heaven.
He said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, Matthew 28, 18. It's my conviction that true lasting joy, deeper than momentary happiness, can only be found when we surrender our authority and control to God. Considering that Jesus was and is revealed as our Messiah and King, I would suggest to you that joy can only be found when you make Jesus King over every aspect of your life. Think about it this way. Joy is found when Jesus is crowned. Let me say that again. Joy is found when Jesus is crowned. When we acknowledge his authority over heaven and on earth, we submit that he is the king of kings. We surrender our fleeting earthly desires and pleasures at his feet, exchanging them for his joy, overflowing and unending.
The choice to make Jesus our king removes all thoughts of joy being attached to circumstances. When we have the joy of Jesus, we stop confusing it with happiness and that believing that our experiences will fulfill us somehow. We find the kind of joy that Mary, Elizabeth, and the shepherds experienced, recognizing and embracing something far greater than our day-to-day lives. Mary and Elizabeth rejoiced not just because they were pregnant, but because they were experiencing the fulfillment of God's promised Messiah. Likewise, the shepherds ran with joy to see the newborn king, leaving behind their daily routines to the flock to encounter the savior of the world.
they stood in the presence of King Jesus and they became a part of his story. We can also experience the joy of King Jesus and we can be brought into his story. Joy isn't found in what's happening around us. It's found in who's reigning inside of us. When Jesus is king of our hearts and minds, joy flows naturally from that relationship. With the next few minutes, I want to walk you through three ways that we can experience the joy of Jesus in our daily lives, even this week. First, joy in repenting. True joy begins with repentance, turning away from sin and toward God by accepting his son.
Luke 15, 10, Jesus said, Just so I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Repentance isn't about guilt or shame. It's about restoration. God sent Jesus as a gift of grace. Jesus went to the cross offering payment for our sin and offering us forgiveness. God raised Jesus from the dead, overcoming sin and death. Joy floods the heavenly realm every time someone repents and submits their life to Jesus. That should amaze us. That's an important truth. But another way we experience the joy of Jesus is through abiding in him. Joy in abiding.
Joy deepens when we remain in close relationship with Christ. In John 15, 9 and 11, Jesus said, as the father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. And then he says, these things I've spoken to you that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full. To abide is to dwell in his love through prayer and obedience and trust. Although he is our king and savior, we become children of God and walk with him like a brother. This abiding presence of Jesus fills us with joy that is that complete and unwavering, deep, overflowing joy. Finally, we can always ask for joy. Joy in the asking. Joy is accessible through prayer in Jesus' name, continuing our belief and trust that he is the source.
Again, in John 16, but in verse 24, it says, until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive that your joy may be full. Jesus invites us to bring our needs and desires to him. When we ask in faith, God's provision deepens our trust and brings us back to that foundational joy that we found when we first repented. We can come back to it over and over. So much so that followers of Jesus can even find joy in the suffering, in the most difficult times. It's happened and it can happen again. Once again, when Jesus is crowned, joy is found.
Joy becomes constant when we recognize Jesus as king. It's no longer tied into fleeting moments. It's anchored into his eternal truth. This week, let's embrace the fullness of joy by surrendering to Jesus' authority in every area of our lives. But...
Maybe you're still not sure. Maybe you're a skeptic exploring Christianity and the idea of joy found in Jesus sounds too easy to be true. It sounds far-fetched. And that's a fair reaction. If you've never experienced the joy of Christ, it can seem unbelievable. In many ways, it is unbelievable. That's what's so amazing about it. But my first thought is this. Don't just take my word for it. Instead, find someone in your circle who professes to follow Jesus and ask them to describe the joy that they experienced when they first accepted Christ. Listen to their story and pay close attention to that hinge moment when they move from consequential happiness to this enduring joy of Jesus.
It might help you to see the difference in their life. Someone you know. My second thought is that experiencing this level of joy, it requires a step of faith. It's up to you. It's up to you to take that first step by submitting your life to Jesus. Joy overflowing begins when you step down off of your throne and you surrender your life. You surrender all authority to Jesus as your king. As we enter into this third week of Advent, whether you've been following Jesus for years or you're considering placing your trust in him for the very first time,
I'd like to invite you to pray and to receive his joy. If you've never accepted Christ as your Savior and King, today can be that day when you experience true and lasting and overflowing joy for the very first time. Let's pray together. Dear Jesus, I recognize that I cannot find true joy on my own. I confess my need for you as my Savior and my King. Today, I surrender my life to you and ask you to reign in my heart. Help me to live in the joy and peace that only you can provide.
Help me to celebrate this Advent season and Christmas with joy overflowing, rooted in your grace and love. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. Well, thanks for joining us today. Another Advent. It's been amazing. Please reach out to us if you have a prayer request. Fill out that prayer request form at mountainview.church slash prayer, or you can always text 867-322-8001. Numbers on the screen. And if you have a few more minutes, we would love to share for you a few important updates to keep you in the loop. Let's get started.
First, I want to give you another reminder to register for Christmas Eve. We have gatherings at 4, 530, or 7 p.m. as we celebrate the arrival of the newborn King Jesus. This is a perfect opportunity to invite friends and family to experience the joy of Christ's birth, maybe for the first time. We'll offer online options throughout Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, or you can register for one of those physical gatherings at christmasinwhitehorse.com. That's christmasinwhitehorse.com. Next, I want to remind you about our annual tradition called Sabbath Sunday.
On Sunday, December 29th, we'll be giving all of our staff and volunteers a Sunday of rest. We encourage you to gather with friends and family in your homes, watch a special Sabbath Sunday message, and then take communion together. Feel free to add music or prayer or other fellowship options as you wish. Finally, let's look ahead to the new year to our first Sunday back on January 5th, 2025. We'll be offering child dedications for parents who want to make a public commitment to raise their children to follow Jesus and dedicate their children to the Lord. If you're interested, please contact me directly at 867-335-7524.
That's 867-335-7524 or email me at jeremy at mountainview.church. That's jeremy at mountainview.church. Please let me know sooner rather than later because we have a few things we need to prepare if you would like to dedicate your child on Sunday, January 5th. On Sunday the 5th, we'll also be launching our new series titled That Thing Jesus Said. We'll be unpacking some of the most confusing and difficult teachings of Jesus. Be thinking about who you might invite to Christmas Eve and who you might invite to our New Year's gathering.
Either one, both of them, who knows? You know your family, you know your friends, you know your coworkers and neighbors. Think about who might find these useful. Who needs to hear the gospel? Who needs the help that only Jesus can offer? And send them an invite.
Hi, my name is Kim and I'm the office administrator here at Mountain View Church. I am in search of someone who would be available and interested in learning some of the office administration tasks. And if available, provide some office coverage when I'm away or absent. It's an opportunity to learn skills and help with some of the tasks that need to be taken care of on a daily or weekly basis. The earliest opportunity to serve is for some office coverage during my vacation in January. If you're interested in joining our admin team, please contact me at admin at mountainview.church. We can arrange to meet up and discuss the possibilities. Thank you and have a great week.
Last but not least, we have our discussion and prayer focus for today. So gather around with the people you're with or maybe drop a comment online with this question. What do you need to surrender to experience Jesus' joy? What is it that you're holding onto? What do you need to surrender so that you can fully experience the joy of the King, Jesus? And then after you've talked a bit or dropped some comments in, pray. Pray with us. Pray for hearts to submit to Jesus and overflow with his joy. Pray for hearts to submit to Jesus and overflow with his joy.
Come back next week as Pastor Aaron continues our Advent series. We're in our fourth theme of Advent, which is love redeeming. This will be a meaningful reflection on how the love of Jesus can transform our lives and our world. Invite a friend and join us as we continue to celebrate the King of Kings, the newborn King, Jesus Christ. See you then.
If you prayed to receive Jesus today or would like to connect with our church community, visit mountainview.church and click the connect link. If this podcast and radio ministry has been a blessing to you, please consider partnering with us or making a tax-deductible donation at mountainview.church. Thanks for listening to Mountain View Church Audio. Join us next week for more Christ-centered teaching from the Wilderness City of Whitehorse UConn.