Calvary Church
Surprised by Joy - Dustan Bell
‘We see a growing church, meeting in many locations around the world, helping people to know Jesus, find community and make a difference.’
Locations & Times
Calvary Sunshine Coast
212 Crosby Hill Rd, Tanawha QLD 4556, Australia
Sunday 9:00 AM
Surprised by Joy
It’s fitting that Christmas be marked by surprises, because the accounts of Jesus’ birth are filled with surprise.
There’s nothing about the person of Jesus that is predictable or run-of-the-mill. No one is history elicits more surprise, more wonder, more astonishment than Jesus of Nazareth.
Psalm 4:7
You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
Luke 2:10–11
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…”
Jesus was constantly associated with joy.
Joy at his announcement
Joy at his birth
Joy at his ministry
Joy at his resurrection
Joy at his ascension
Wherever Jesus went the effect was joy. Of course, His Cross was not a joyous scene, but it worked out for our joy and salvation.
Five Characteristics of the Joy Jesus Brings
1. It’s a Transcendent Joy
The angel said, “Do not be afraid…” which is appropriate, because faith in Jesus brings a joy that swallows up fear, dread and worry.
For many, fleeting or passing moments of joy are displaced by more weighty feelings of fear or worry. But the person, presence and promises of Jesus are greater than our fears.
Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear.
2. It’s a Real Joy
For many people, the gateway to joy is by escaping reality. This charge is sometimes levelled against people of faith.
The angel said, “… I bring you good news” because the Christian message is anchored in historical reality. It’s not mythology or philosophy.
That’s why the accounts of Jesus birth, life, death and resurrection don’t begin with “Once upon a time…” Rather they are anchored in references to real people, times and places.
Luke 1:5
“In the time of Herod king of Judea…”
Luke 2:1
“In those days Caesar Augustus …”
Matthew 2:1
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod …”
To trust in Jesus is not escaping reality, rather it’s living in light of history’s most wonderful reality.
3. It’s an Inclusive Joy
The angel said, “…good news of great joy that will be for all the people”
So often, our reasons for joy are exclusive, it doesn’t include everyone (i.e. sport, politics, resources)
At Jesus’ birth, the angel made it clear that Jesus is for all, not just a narrow subset of society.
His death also, is described as for all.
2 Corinthians 5:15
Christ died for all …
All means included. We are all invited into this good news.
4. It’s a Deep Joy
Entertainment and amusements do a good job at effecting us at an emotional level. Education and teaching does a good job at effecting us at an intellectual level. But neither can effect change deeper within us at a soul or conscience level.
The angel described Jesus as “Saviour”.
Only by coming in flesh, could he become our Saviour and sin bearer, and so it was by his incarnation, His becoming flesh, that He could suffer as our sin bearer.
Hebrews 2:14
Because God’s children are human beings — made of flesh and blood — the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.
Fulton Sheen
“He had not come with a book in His hand only to read to those who wanted to be taught; He did more: He came with blood in His body to pour it out in full acquittal of a debt man could never pay.”
Matthew 1:21
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
Psalm 32:1
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
5. It’s a Personal Joy
Reality is, some people don’t rejoice at the news of a Saviour, because they don’t believe it effects them.
Only when I’m real about my sin, will I rejoice about a Saviour.
If the starving deny famine, who can offer them bread.
If the sick deny illness, who can be their doctor?
If the sinner denies his guilt, who can be his Saviour?
John 5:31-32
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Isaiah 12:3
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
It’s fitting that Christmas be marked by surprises, because the accounts of Jesus’ birth are filled with surprise.
There’s nothing about the person of Jesus that is predictable or run-of-the-mill. No one is history elicits more surprise, more wonder, more astonishment than Jesus of Nazareth.
Psalm 4:7
You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
Luke 2:10–11
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…”
Jesus was constantly associated with joy.
Joy at his announcement
Joy at his birth
Joy at his ministry
Joy at his resurrection
Joy at his ascension
Wherever Jesus went the effect was joy. Of course, His Cross was not a joyous scene, but it worked out for our joy and salvation.
Five Characteristics of the Joy Jesus Brings
1. It’s a Transcendent Joy
The angel said, “Do not be afraid…” which is appropriate, because faith in Jesus brings a joy that swallows up fear, dread and worry.
For many, fleeting or passing moments of joy are displaced by more weighty feelings of fear or worry. But the person, presence and promises of Jesus are greater than our fears.
Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear.
2. It’s a Real Joy
For many people, the gateway to joy is by escaping reality. This charge is sometimes levelled against people of faith.
The angel said, “… I bring you good news” because the Christian message is anchored in historical reality. It’s not mythology or philosophy.
That’s why the accounts of Jesus birth, life, death and resurrection don’t begin with “Once upon a time…” Rather they are anchored in references to real people, times and places.
Luke 1:5
“In the time of Herod king of Judea…”
Luke 2:1
“In those days Caesar Augustus …”
Matthew 2:1
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod …”
To trust in Jesus is not escaping reality, rather it’s living in light of history’s most wonderful reality.
3. It’s an Inclusive Joy
The angel said, “…good news of great joy that will be for all the people”
So often, our reasons for joy are exclusive, it doesn’t include everyone (i.e. sport, politics, resources)
At Jesus’ birth, the angel made it clear that Jesus is for all, not just a narrow subset of society.
His death also, is described as for all.
2 Corinthians 5:15
Christ died for all …
All means included. We are all invited into this good news.
4. It’s a Deep Joy
Entertainment and amusements do a good job at effecting us at an emotional level. Education and teaching does a good job at effecting us at an intellectual level. But neither can effect change deeper within us at a soul or conscience level.
The angel described Jesus as “Saviour”.
Only by coming in flesh, could he become our Saviour and sin bearer, and so it was by his incarnation, His becoming flesh, that He could suffer as our sin bearer.
Hebrews 2:14
Because God’s children are human beings — made of flesh and blood — the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.
Fulton Sheen
“He had not come with a book in His hand only to read to those who wanted to be taught; He did more: He came with blood in His body to pour it out in full acquittal of a debt man could never pay.”
Matthew 1:21
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
Psalm 32:1
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
5. It’s a Personal Joy
Reality is, some people don’t rejoice at the news of a Saviour, because they don’t believe it effects them.
Only when I’m real about my sin, will I rejoice about a Saviour.
If the starving deny famine, who can offer them bread.
If the sick deny illness, who can be their doctor?
If the sinner denies his guilt, who can be his Saviour?
John 5:31-32
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Isaiah 12:3
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
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