WEBVTT 00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:13.919 Ministering to the heart of Western Arkansas's River Valley for over 165 years, welcome to Chapter and First, the Bible teaching ministry of Fort Smith's First Baptist Church. 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:19.359 You'll find sermons and teachings from Pastor Greg, our ministry staff, and guest speakers. 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:20.960 Thank you for listening. 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:28.480 Today, as Jacob was getting ready for this, he came in with the uh the title for this, The Joy at Christmas. 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:35.119 And so, Pastor, as we as he was thinking through that, he thought, let's make the month of December about joy. 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:42.560 And if you look at the little word joy, it has three letters and and and how can the word joy can just make you smile. 00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:50.159 You can't help but to walk in these doors today and see the lights around the poles, the lights, and it just bring a smile to you. 00:00:50.320 --> 00:01:03.119 We came in this uh the last two days, Southside had been here singing, and it was just joy to hear the singing in the room about and it was a public school singing about Jesus. 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:04.239 The joy of that. 00:01:04.319 --> 00:01:08.640 It reminds me back when I was growing up, the uh now time has changed. 00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:13.760 When my wife comes now and says it's time to put up the Christmas tree, I'm trying to find things to do. 00:01:13.920 --> 00:01:16.879 But when I was a kid, when I was a kid, I was excited. 00:01:17.120 --> 00:01:18.000 It was exciting. 00:01:18.079 --> 00:01:19.519 My dad would say this. 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:23.760 We, when you get home from school, we are going to go get a Christmas tree. 00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:26.159 And I remember all day long I was excited. 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:28.319 I was, oh, I could not wait to get home. 00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:33.599 I remember getting home, could not wait for dad to come home, and we would get in the car and we would head to something. 00:01:33.680 --> 00:01:35.200 There's not very many of them anymore. 00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:36.000 A tree lot. 00:01:36.239 --> 00:01:42.319 There'd be these trees out there, and my dad would go and he would grab the tree and he'd give it a boom like that, hoping things fell. 00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:50.959 And then my mom would circle the entire tree, and I think we would pick up every tree in the tree lot until we found that perfect one. 00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:56.000 And when we'd find the perfect one, dad would say, or mom would say, mom would say, that's it. 00:01:56.239 --> 00:02:04.560 We'd go pay for it and they'd wrap it in string, they would take it, and they would put it on the top of our station wagon. 00:02:04.719 --> 00:02:06.400 Yes, we had a station wagon. 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:09.039 And normally it was the ugliest vehicle. 00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:10.960 I was embarrassed to ride in it. 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:18.479 But the day that we put the Christmas tree on top of the station wagon, I could not have been more proud. 00:02:18.639 --> 00:02:20.240 That was before seat belts. 00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:22.319 So I was not in my seatbelts. 00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:26.639 I was looking out the window with the biggest smile on my face. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:31.120 So proud of what was on top of our car, the Christmas tree. 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:33.199 And then when we got home, what would we do? 00:02:33.360 --> 00:02:37.439 We would undo it, and then dad would get his saw, and we would saw a little bit off. 00:02:37.599 --> 00:02:42.879 We would put it in the stand and we would look at it until it was perfectly straight. 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:48.000 And when it was perfectly straight, we would take it in and we would spend time putting on ornaments. 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:51.439 One at a time, putting on the lights. 00:02:51.599 --> 00:02:54.000 And then at the very end, we would stand at the top. 00:02:54.240 --> 00:03:01.199 We had all these ladders and different things, and we would dad would set the camera and we would hold on to the star and take a family picture. 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:05.120 I remember the next morning I would wake up and say, I'm watering the Christmas tree. 00:03:05.360 --> 00:03:06.800 My sister would turn on the lights. 00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:09.039 You would go out of your way to do what? 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:11.520 Look at that Christmas tree. 00:03:12.800 --> 00:03:17.759 Two weeks go into it, no one wanted to water the tree anymore. 00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:20.800 There were days the lights didn't even come on. 00:03:20.960 --> 00:03:25.280 Think about this when Christmas was over, it just sat there. 00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:26.400 What would we do? 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:28.319 Finally, eventually, we would do what? 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:42.240 We would take the ornaments off the tree, take that beautiful Christmas tree, by the way, the needles were all falling off now, and we took it to the curb for the trash men to come pick it up. 00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:49.280 As we think of the word joy, that's not the joy that we want to talk about this month. 00:03:50.080 --> 00:03:56.800 Jesus brought joy into the world in just simple, practical ways. 00:03:57.039 --> 00:04:04.800 Jesus brought joy into the world when he healed someone, when he cast out a demon, or when he forgave sin. 00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:08.719 Joy was an immediate result. 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:17.199 Think about the guy that was blind and Jesus healed him, and the religious leaders came to him and said, How in the world can you see? 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:18.319 What happened? 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:20.480 Can you imagine the smile on his face? 00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:23.519 The joy because he experienced Jesus. 00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:24.959 Remember what he said? 00:04:25.279 --> 00:04:26.720 I have no idea. 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:30.079 I was blind, but now I see. 00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:32.319 What about the lady at the well? 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:34.480 Remember, she snuck to the well. 00:04:34.639 --> 00:04:37.279 She was embarrassed who she was. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:42.000 She snuck to the well to get water, and that day, what did she do? 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:43.920 She met Jesus. 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:46.319 The joy. 00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:50.319 She went back into the town that she was embarrassed of and saying what? 00:04:50.800 --> 00:04:53.519 I met the Messiah. 00:04:54.959 --> 00:05:02.079 As we think of the joy that Jesus brought, we can also see in the early church. 00:05:04.959 --> 00:05:15.759 As they were preaching, as they were teaching, the book of Acts says that joy followed their messages. 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:25.279 Humanity yearns for a hope, a meaning, and a purpose. 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:34.000 Without God, as a vital part of our existence, we get stuck in emptiness. 00:05:34.399 --> 00:05:35.839 Can't we see that? 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:43.839 That Christmas tree that we decorated that brought joy to our family, eventually what? 00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:46.079 It went away. 00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:50.560 Like we saw in the video, and like we talked here. 00:05:54.319 --> 00:06:03.759 Between the book of Malachi and Matthew, there was four hundred years of silence. 00:06:10.639 --> 00:06:12.240 We are setting up. 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:20.079 God was setting up for one of the greatest days ever. 00:06:22.399 --> 00:06:32.560 That's why I think the verse in John, John 1 14, says the word, and if you look up in John 1 1, the word here is Jesus. 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:37.839 The word became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:06:38.720 --> 00:06:44.000 God would become man and live among us. 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:46.399 We see the story. 00:06:46.639 --> 00:07:04.560 If we look back in the first part of Luke, what Jesus staged through the prophecies that Jesus or Joseph and Mary would leave Nazareth. 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:06.319 They would go to Bethlehem. 00:07:07.040 --> 00:07:09.199 And can you believe our Savior? 00:07:09.279 --> 00:07:11.839 Can you imagine the journey that Joseph was walking? 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:15.600 Joseph he spoke to the angel. 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:18.720 But I'm sure he still had questions. 00:07:19.040 --> 00:07:20.560 God, I don't get it. 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:23.360 This is the Messiah. 00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:24.879 We're heading here. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:27.120 He w they walk in. 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:31.360 And then to make it even matters even just even crazier, they go into Bethlehem and what? 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:34.160 They cannot find a place to stay. 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:36.560 Can you imagine Joseph going? 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:40.319 The Messiah. 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:44.079 And then they go into the manger. 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:46.800 I mean, they go into the stable. 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:49.040 Jesus is born. 00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:54.800 They wrapped him in swallowing clothes, like the scripture says, and they laid him in the manger. 00:07:54.959 --> 00:08:00.560 And then I want to read to you, listen to what Luke 2, starting in verse 8, says. 00:08:08.800 --> 00:08:16.079 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:26.800 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people. 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:33.519 Today in the city of David, a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 00:08:33.679 --> 00:08:36.720 When the angels announced this, can you imagine that night? 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:37.600 They're sitting there. 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:40.559 The angels typically were probably saying this. 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:42.799 Man, I should have gone to school. 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:45.360 I would not have to be out here watching these sheep. 00:08:45.679 --> 00:08:49.679 Man, where is that sheep that we're always looking for? 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:51.200 This is a typical night. 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:52.240 They had no idea. 00:08:52.399 --> 00:08:53.840 They are sitting there. 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:58.480 Then all of a sudden, like scripture says, can you imagine this? 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:01.919 Now I've been to some pretty neat fireworks. 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:07.840 I've drone, I've drove to Fayetteville when the leaves are fallen out. 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:10.159 What a spectacular view. 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:13.039 I have skied before when the sun was setting. 00:09:13.200 --> 00:09:14.720 What a spectacular view. 00:09:14.799 --> 00:09:16.159 But can you imagine this night? 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:17.120 Just listen to it. 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:18.320 Listen to it again. 00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:20.960 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them. 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:24.480 That alone probably just made them shake in their shoes. 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:26.399 But then it says this. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:34.559 And the glory of the Lord shone round about them. 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:38.799 God showed up for the shepherds. 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:46.480 And then he says to the angels, do not be afraid. 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:53.120 I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:57.440 That great joy was the truth. 00:09:58.240 --> 00:10:06.799 That the God who seemed so far off had come in human flesh. 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:09.600 He was to be called Emmanuel. 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:14.080 What a word! What a word picture! Emmanuel is what? 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:16.320 God with us. 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:23.120 Jesus had come to rescue, save, and heal. 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:31.120 But most importantly, he came to make mankind right with God. 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:36.159 That was a cause for great joy. 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:50.799 Because Jesus came and a sinful man has the opportunity to come into the presence of a holy God and be pronounced not guilty. 00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:52.159 Wow. 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:59.519 I think Paul sums it up in one verse that I think is a spectacular verse, like all the Bible. 00:10:59.679 --> 00:11:03.360 But listen to what 2 Corinthians 5.21 says. 00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:07.519 He made the one who did not know sin. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:13.840 He was perfect, never had a sinful thought. 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:21.120 He made the one who did not know sin to be the sin for us. 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:28.480 So that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:34.879 The Bible says in Romans, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:40.320 Then if you continue, it says, for the wages of sin is death. 00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:42.960 We deserve separation from God forever. 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:45.759 We deserve that period of silence. 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:49.200 But thank goodness it doesn't stop there. 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:55.039 But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:12:01.840 It reminds me of my one of the most memorized scriptures of all time. 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:06.559 And the picture of, I think, what Christmas is, and that's John 3.16. 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:16.960 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:19.600 Wow, what a gift. 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:22.320 What a picture. 00:12:22.799 --> 00:12:25.919 So tonight, I want you to think with me. 00:12:26.320 --> 00:12:35.679 Maybe you're sitting here today and you realize today your sin just pops up, and you realize today that you're separated from a holy, just, righteous God. 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:39.600 And today you need to get your life right. 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:47.919 Through faith, you need to say, Lord, I am sorry for my sins. 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:50.080 Will you forgive me of my sins? 00:12:50.320 --> 00:13:05.519 And then there may be some of you today, kind of like myself, that goes into cycles that I know I've given my life to Christ, but so many times in my life, I push over the king and get him off the throne, and I try to take throne myself. 00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:18.000 And the joy we're talking today is the joy of knowing we can set back and put the true king on the throne of our lives. 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:24.639 In just a moment, we're going to sing the song Joy to the World. 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:37.679 And I think after we've sung the songs we had today, and as we just dive into God's word, we can sing this song with a little more conviction. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:39.440 Listen to it. 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:41.519 Joy to the world. 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:43.840 The Lord is come. 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:48.559 Let Earth receive her king. 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:49.759 Pray with me. 00:13:58.000 --> 00:13:59.919 I don't even know where to start, God. 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:01.759 Thank you. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:13.600 Thank you for that spectacular day when you left heaven and you came here to live among us and live a perfect life. 00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:24.320 And Lord, if there's someone in this room today that needs you, Lord, I ask you just to speak to them, help them realize that sin separates them and that you do love them. 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:37.120 And Lord, others like myself, Lord, help us this week and this holiday season to experience the true joy of who you are and the relationship you want with each one of us. 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:48.799 Lord, as we sing this time of invitation, Lord, I ask you just to take over this service, fill this place, and speak to our hearts. 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:50.639 Jesus' name I pray. 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:51.600 Amen. 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:56.960 We pray this message has been a blessing to you and helped to strengthen your walk with Jesus. 00:14:57.200 --> 00:15:00.000 Please know we want to minister to you and pray for you. 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:07.600 Send an email to contact us at fsfbc.org and let us pray for you and help you in any way we can. 00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:14.399 Thank you for listening to Chapter and First, the Bible Teaching Ministry of Fort Smith First Baptist Church.