JOY TO THE WORLD

Title: JOY TO THE WORLD
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Luke 2:10-11
Supporting Texts: Psalm 98:4-9, Isaiah 52:7-10, John 15:11

INTRODUCTION:
Christmas is a time of celebration, a time when the world rejoices in the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. The angel’s announcement to the shepherds declared, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” The birth of Christ brings unparalleled joy, not just to a specific group of people, but to all of humanity. This message of joy is for the entire world. It transcends cultures, circumstances, and situations, offering hope and peace. This sermon reflects on the joy that Christ’s birth brings and how we can live in that joy all year round.

1. THE SOURCE OF TRUE JOY

a) The Birth of the Saviour:
Jesus’ birth is the ultimate reason for joy—God’s gift of salvation to humanity (Luke 2:10-11).

b) The Gift of Eternal Life:
Through Christ, we receive the gift of eternal life, which brings unspeakable joy (John 3:16).

c) God’s Love Manifested:
Christ’s birth is a manifestation of God’s great love for us, which brings lasting joy (John 15:13).

d) Joy from Knowing Christ:
True joy comes from knowing Jesus and experiencing His presence in our lives (John 15:11).

e) Biblical Example:
The shepherds rejoiced and praised God after hearing the angelic announcement of Christ’s birth, recognizing the joy that this news brought to their lives (Luke 2:20).

2. JOY THAT REACHES EVERYONE

a) A Joy for All People:
The angel declared that the good news would cause great joy for all the people, not just for a select few (Luke 2:10).

b) Christ Came for the World:
Jesus did not come only for the Jews but for all of humanity. His joy is for everyone, regardless of race, status, or background (John 3:17).

c) Joy That Transcends Circumstances:
Unlike fleeting happiness, the joy brought by Christ is not dependent on our circumstances. It is a joy that remains through trials and difficulties (James 1:2-4).

d) Sharing the Joy with Others:
As believers, we are called to share this joy with the world, telling others about the birth of our Saviour (Matthew 28:19-20).

e) Biblical Example:
The wise men traveled from afar to worship Jesus, sharing in the joy of His birth, showing that the joy of Christ is universal (Matthew 2:10-11).

3. THE JOY OF SALVATION

a) The Greatest Gift:
The birth of Christ is the greatest gift, offering salvation to all who believe in Him (Ephesians 2:8-9).

b) A Joy That Brings Peace:
Christ’s arrival brings peace to those who accept Him, providing inner peace that the world cannot offer (John 14:27).

c) Joy in Reconciliation with God:
Through Jesus, we are reconciled with God, which is the source of lasting joy (Romans 5:1-2).

d) The Joy of Deliverance:
Jesus came to deliver us from sin, bringing freedom and joy to those who accept His gift of salvation (Luke 4:18).

e) Biblical Example:
Simeon and Anna, upon seeing the baby Jesus, rejoiced, knowing that His birth marked the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation (Luke 2:28-32).

4. LIVING IN THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY

a) The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength:
The joy that comes from Christ strengthens us and empowers us to face life’s challenges (Nehemiah 8:10).

b) Joy in Obedience to God:
As we obey God’s commands, we experience His joy in our lives, which is a source of strength and peace (John 15:10-11).

c) A Life of Gratitude:
Living in the joy of Christmas involves a life of thankfulness for the gift of salvation and all that God has done for us (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

d) Joy in Service:
The joy we experience in Christ compels us to serve others and spread the good news of Jesus’ birth (Matthew 25:35-40).

e) Biblical Example:
The early church, filled with the joy of the Lord, was devoted to the apostles' teaching and the breaking of bread, experiencing joy in fellowship (Acts 2:46-47).

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5. THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS: A FUTURE HOPE

a) The Promise of Christ’s Return:
The joy of Christmas also reminds us of the future hope we have in Christ’s return to establish His eternal kingdom (Revelation 21:1-4).

b) A Joy That Will Be Fulfilled:
While we rejoice now, our joy will be made complete when we see Christ face to face (1 John 3:2).

c) An Everlasting Joy:
The joy that Christ brings is not temporary but eternal, lasting into the age to come (Psalm 16:11).

d) The Fulfillment of God’s Promises:
The birth of Christ marked the beginning of God’s fulfillment of His promises to His people, and His return will complete that work (Isaiah 9:6-7).

e) Biblical Example:
The angel’s announcement of Christ’s birth was a fulfillment of prophecy, and the joy of His coming points to the ultimate joy of His return (Luke 2:10-11).

CONCLUSION:
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” Christmas is the time to celebrate the joy that the birth of Jesus Christ brings to the world. It is a joy that transcends circumstances, a joy that is rooted in the salvation Christ offers, and a joy that reaches all people. As we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, let us live in that joy every day, sharing it with others and looking forward to the day when Christ will return to complete His work of salvation. The joy of Christmas is not just for one day—it is a joy that we carry with us, now and forevermore.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, thank You for the joy of Christ's birth, which brings salvation to all who believe.

2. Father, fill my heart with the true joy of Christmas that comes from knowing Jesus.

3. Lord, help me to share the joy of Christ's birth with others this season.

4. Father, let Your joy strengthen me and help me to face every challenge in life.

5. Lord, I pray for those who are struggling, that they may experience the joy of salvation.

6. Father, help me to live in gratitude for the gift of Jesus, the source of my joy.

7. Lord, I ask for the joy of the Lord to be evident in my life and in my actions.

8. Father, may Your joy empower me to serve others and spread Your love.

9. Lord, help me to anticipate with joy the return of Jesus and the fulfillment of all Your promises.

10. Father, I declare that the joy of Christmas will remain in my heart throughout the year.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. I declare that the joy of the Lord will fill your heart this Christmas season.

2. The joy of Christ’s birth will bring peace and hope into every area of your life.

3. You will experience the fullness of joy that comes from knowing Jesus Christ, your Saviour.

4. I decree that the joy of Christmas will be a constant source of strength for you.

5. I declare that the joy of the Lord will empower you to serve others with love.

6. You will share the good news of Christ’s birth with boldness and joy.

7. I declare that the joy of Christmas will bring healing and restoration to your life.

8. Your life will overflow with joy, and it will be a testimony of God’s goodness.

9. The joy that comes from Christ will bring breakthrough and transformation in your life.

10. I declare that you will experience an everlasting joy as you wait for the return of Christ.