This Sunday

There are three big thieves of joy in our world today:

1. Fear
2. Emptiness
3. Disappointment

(Matthew 2:1 NIV)

“After Jesus was born… during the time of King Herod…”

Matthew 2:1–2 (NIV)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?

Joy begins with longing for Jesus

Matthew 2:3 (NIV)

“When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.”

Joy threatens every false king

Joy rises as Jesus becomes clearer

Matthew 2:9-10 (NIV)

…When the Magi went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

Joy explodes when you encounter Jesus Himself

Matthew 2:11 (NIV)

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and 

Joy changes your direction

Matthew 2:12 (NIV)

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Main Point: 

Joy is not found in what is happening around you.

Joy is found in who came for you.