Joy Before Us
Hebrews 12:2
Pastor Jerry Koller

In the most general sense, happiness is based on circumstances. Joy, on the other hand, is not really an emotion. Therefore, it is not subject to circumstances.

Definition: Joy is a supernatural delight in God.
· Joy is something that is supernaturally developed by the Holy Spirit.
· It does not come about naturally.

This attitude delights in God.
· To delight is to find extreme pleasure or satisfaction in someone or something.

Hypostatic Union is a theological term that is used to describe the union of the two natures of Jesus. It comes from the word hypostasis which means the substantial quality or nature of someone or a thing.

Council of Chalcedon: Christ is one person who exists forevermore in two complete natures: God and man.

Whenever this union occurred, Jesus’ humanity was not altered in any way by His deity. Whenever this union occurred, Jesus’ deity was not altered in any way by His humanity. He is fully God and fully man.

Jesus is the founder and perfecter of our faith.
· A founder is a conceiver, a mastermind, an originator.

Jesus is also the perfecter of our faith. This word has to do with the idea of one who accomplishes something.

Because of the joy that was set before him, Jesus was motivated to do something.

The two natures of Jesus are in perfect balance. One does not become greater at the expense of the other depending on the circumstances.
· There is not one switch for Jesus’ divine nature and another for His human nature.

Scripture says Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame.
· Despising can also mean thinking little or nothing of.
· The NET translates it disregarding its shame.

When His work on earth was done, Jesus returned to the Father where He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
· This is a metaphor for a position of prominence or preeminence.
· It is a position of superiority, a place of supremacy and sovereignty.

The idea of Him being seated is a reference to the completion of His work.

From the very beginning of chapter 15, Jesus addresses the importance of abiding.

In today’s Scripture passage, the author of Hebrews likens this life of faith to a race.
· Every runner must run the race that is set before him or her.
· As we run, we are to lay aside, or cast off, anything that hinders us from running the race as we should.
· Without endurance, without effort, a runner will not finish the race.
· Finishing the race requires obedience as well.

· May this Advent season encourage you to rest in the Hope you have in Christ.
· May it encourage you to rest in the peace Jesus leaves and the peace He gives.
· And may this Advent season encourage you to live every day in the joy of Christ.

· We express our deepest sympathy to Marge Benham and Dean & Linda Newell and their family upon the peaceful passing of Marge's husband and Linda's father, Ben Benham on 12/8. A memorial service will be held in January. The family greatly appreciates all the prayers and support given throughout Ben's struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
· Joshua Johnson has been released from the hospital and is recovering from Covid at home.
· Linda Pries is scheduled for a total reverse shoulder replacement surgery on 12/14 which will require an overnight hospitalization.
· Susan Seitz is recovering from shoulder replacement surgery
· John Ellis is stationed in Washington state and is still having heart and/or lung related issues. He is continuing testing and asks for prayers that the Army process would be swifter and speed up as he feels like he is regressing more and more as he is waiting for answers.
· Fany one of the tutors at El Ayudante (where Missionaries Amir & Denise Hodge serve in Honduras) who lost her 14 year-old daughter on 11/15.
· Elliot Keys (8 year-old son of Ashley Ampersee who is a coworker of Tracy Marshall) is going home! He is doing fantastic and pretty much back to his normal self, relatively speaking. He still has a long way to go physically, but his cognitive ability has been an amazing answer to prayer. He doesn't have a release date yet, but his home is being prepped for wheelchair accessibility so it's ready for him when he is discharged.
· Roy & Sue Richmond and their family upon the loss of Sue's mother, Mary Stainbrook, on 11/ 8 following a massive stroke.
· Penny Alexander (friend of Bruce & Vasha Ferguson) has stage 4 COPD and is struggling with a severe cold. Please pray for healing.
· Rose Ely (Tracy Marshall's grandma) fell and broke her femur at mid-thigh. She is now in a rehab facility, but is not eating well.
· Pastor Jerry Koller is recovering from corrective foot surgery.
· Steve Follman is recovering from a successful hip replacement surgery.
· Linda Rooker is recovering from a successful hip replacement surgery. Pray for a speedy healing and minimal pain.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com