Matt Nelson - December 17, 2023
Make Room for Joy
Making Room for Joy Advent 2023 12.17.23 What you’re waiting FOR determines HOW you wait. When power is our objective, we will always respond in fear. Matthew 2:9-10 After they (Magi) had heard the king, they 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. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. When the hope of Christ is our aim, we will always respond with joy and worship. For Matthew, joy is the appropriate response to the kingdom of God. What can we learn from the Magi? They came seeking the Messiah They held onto hope They responded with joy They acted in obedience They gave extravagantly How can I cultivate joy in this present moment? Philippians 4:4-9 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
