Theological Status: Theologically Sound
Biblical Parallel(Archetype): Philadelphia
❓ What do these grades mean?
🔍 Biblical Discernment: The 7 Church Parallels
The Cold Orthodox Parallel
Ephesus
Teaching that upholds doctrinal precision yet parallels the loss of the "first love"—the vital, motivating power of the Gospel (Rev 2:4).
🧐 Overview
Sermon Summary: This Advent service is a powerful example of Word-centered worship, blending ancient scripture, confessional teaching, and heartfelt prayer to celebrate Christ as the King of Glory and the source of enduring joy.
Big Idea: Not found. The transcript covers the liturgy and prayers, but not the main sermon. N/A
Pastoral Analysis: The liturgical portion of this service is exceptionally sound, rooted in confessional standards (Heidelberg Catechism) and Scripture. The prayers are theologically rich, affirming divine sovereignty in salvation and maintaining a clear distinction between biblical joy and worldly happiness. The ecclesiology is high and reverent.
Biblical Parallel(Archetype): Philadelphia — The service demonstrates deep doctrinal fidelity through its confessional liturgy (Heidelberg Catechism), combined with warm, Christ-centered affections in prayer and song, reflecting a healthy and faithful church.
🧭 Biblical Alignment Dashboard
Overall Verdict: Biblically Sound
| Category | Status | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Soteriology | ✅ PASS | The prayers clearly articulate a monergistic view of salvation, where God is the active agent who calls His people and applies Christ's finished work to them by the Spirit. |
| Bibliology | ✅ PASS | Scripture is presented as the final authority ('the word of God will stand forever') and is central to every element of the liturgy, from the call to worship to the readings and prayers. |
| Hermeneutic | ✅ PASS | The use of Psalm 24 as a call to worship and Luke 1 as the NT reading demonstrates a Christ-centered, redemptive-historical hermeneutic, rightly connecting OT prophecy to its NT fulfillment in Christ. |
| Theology Proper | ✅ PASS | God is described with biblical fidelity as the sovereign Creator, King of Kings, Lord of Hosts, and the giver of every good and perfect gift, consistent with orthodox teaching. |
| Sacramentology | ⚪ N/A | Neither Communion nor Baptism was observed in the provided transcript. |
📖 How they Handle Scripture & Jesus
Primary Text: Luke 1:26-33 (Expository (Deep))
Scripture Saturation: Verses Read: 12 | Referenced: 2 | Alluded: 2
Passages Read Aloud:
Key References: Luke 2, Psalm 98
Christological Connection: Redemptive Trajectory: The entire liturgy centers on Christ as the King of Glory (Psalm 24), the fulfillment of prophecy (Luke 1:32-33), and the anointed Prophet, Priest, and King (Heidelberg Catechism 31). The Advent themes (Hope, Peace, Joy) are explicitly rooted in Christ's finished work and incarnation.
🧱 Sermon Outline
- Call to Worship (Psalm 24) [00:01:46 ▶️ 📄] : Reading of Psalm 24 verses regarding the King of Glory entering the gates.
- Corporate Voice of Faith (Heidelberg Catechism Q31) [00:06:10 ▶️ 📄] : Recitation defining Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King.
- New Testament Reading [00:07:39 ▶️ 📄] : Reading of Luke 1:26-33 (The Annunciation).
- Children's Moment / Advent Candle Lighting (Joy) [00:09:14 ▶️ 📄] : Discussion of Joy vs. Happiness and lighting the pink Advent candle.
- Prayers of the People [00:19:56 ▶️ 📄] : Prayer focusing on the joy of salvation, the incarnation, and the second advent, including specific prayers for new births and adoption.
🗝️ Key Topics & Themes
- Advent : The season is marked by lighting candles of Hope, Peace, and Joy.
- Joy : Defined as a permanent state given by Jesus, contrasted with temporary happiness.
- Christology : Definition of Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King (via Heidelberg Catechism).
- Second Coming : Longing for Christ's return to judge the world with righteousness and equity.
✅ Commendations
Doctrinal Precision | Clear Definition of Joy
The distinction made for the children between circumstantial happiness and biblical joy (00:10:45 ▶️ 📄) was pastorally wise and theologically precise, grounding joy in the person and work of Christ rather than feelings.
Liturgical Integrity | Confessional Worship
Incorporating the Heidelberg Catechism (00:06:40 ▶️ 📄) into the liturgy provides a robust and clear articulation of Christ's offices as Prophet, Priest, and King, rooting the congregation in sound doctrine.
Theological Depth in Prayer | God-Centered Supplication
The corporate prayer (00:20:03 ▶️ 📄) was exemplary, focusing on God's character and redemptive plan, rightly ordering praise before petition, and grounding the church's life in the first and second advents of Christ.
🧠 Questions for Reflection
Use these questions for personal study or small group discussion:
- The service mentioned Christ is a 'Prophet, Priest, and King.' What do those three roles mean, and why are they important for a Christian's life?
- The pastor made a distinction between 'happiness' and 'joy.' How does knowing that God promises joy, even in hard times, change how you might view difficulties?
📜 Full Sermon Transcript (Audit)
Use the 📄 icons next to quotes above to automatically jump to their location in this raw transcript.
[00:00:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
The rose there blooming from tender sense hath sprung Of Jesse's lineage coming as men of old who have sung
[00:00:32] It came a-floweret bright, Amid the cold of winter, When past spent was the night.
[00:00:53] Isaiah t'was foretold it, the rose I have in mind.
[00:01:11] With Mary we behold it, the virgin of her kind.
[00:01:21] To show God's love aright She bore to men a Savior When half spent was the night
[00:01:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Please join us in standing, if you are able, as the Ancient of Days, the King of Glory, calls us to worship Him this morning.
[00:01:59] Lift up your head, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in.
[00:02:07] Who is this King of Glory?
[00:02:09] The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.
[00:02:14] Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
[00:02:21] Who is this King of glory?
[00:02:24] The Lord of hosts.
[00:02:26] He is the King of glory.
[00:02:29] Indeed, let us worship the King of glory this morning, joining our voices together, singing Hymn 198.
[00:02:35] Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates.
[00:02:37] We'll sing the first four verses.
[00:02:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lift up your empty mighty face, behold the King of glory waits.
[00:03:05] The King of kings is drawing near, the Savior of kings.
[00:03:17] God help where just He comes to Thee, His chariot, His humility, His kingly crown, His holiness, His septuagrity,
[00:03:43] and the city blessed, where Christ the ruler is confessed.
[00:04:03] O happy heart that glad belongs to whom this King in triumph comes.
[00:04:06] Let's pray together.
[00:04:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Almighty God, you are the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
[00:04:45] All of the earth and all of its fullness is yours.
[00:04:48] All those who dwell within it are yours.
[00:04:52] You have founded all creation, you have established it, and you uphold it by your mighty omnipotent hand.
[00:05:00] And as we come this morning singing your praise and adorning you with prayer and love and
[00:05:07] We come knowing that we are not worthy in and of ourselves.
[00:05:11] That we cannot ascend the holy hill of the Lord on our own nor stand in your holy place.
[00:05:18] And so we worship you that Jesus has come to make a people of clean hands and pure heart.
[00:05:25] To make a people who lift our souls up to you in worship as we receive blessing from your hands.
[00:05:32] because you have given us righteousness and you are the God of our salvation.
[00:05:38] So be with us now as we seek your face, the God of Jacob, in worship this morning as we praise you, the King of kings, the Lord of hosts.
[00:05:48] We pray that you would lead us by the power of your Holy Spirit this morning as we worship you and that you would greatly equip us so that we may be encouraged by your promises.
[00:05:59] We find great comfort in knowing that all your promises find their yes and amen in the King of Glory, Jesus Christ.
[00:06:06] We pray these things in Jesus' name.
[00:06:08] Amen.
[00:06:10] Please remain standing and turn with me in your bulletins for our corporate voice of faith to Heidelberg Catechism 31.
[00:06:18] We're going to hear from our New Testament reading
[00:06:28] The angel of the Lord tell Mary that her son shall be called Jesus who will save his people.
[00:06:33] And our Heidelberg Catechism explains to us what that title, Christ, means to us.
[00:06:40] Heidelberg Catechism, question 31.
[00:06:42] Why is he called the Christ that is anointed?
[00:06:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Because he is ordained of God the Father and anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our chief prophet and teacher
[00:06:59] The secret counsel of God concerning our redemption and our only High Priest who by the one sacrifice of his body has redeemed us and ever lives to make intercession for us with the Father.
[00:07:18] and our eternal King who governs us by His Word and Spirit and defends and preserves us in the redemption obtained for us.
[00:07:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Please be seated.
[00:07:39] Let's turn in our Bibles now for our New Testament reading to the Gospel of Luke chapter 1 verses 26 through 33.
[00:07:56] Let's hear now the word of the Lord.
[00:08:09] In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David.
[00:08:21] And the virgin's name was Mary.
[00:08:24] And he came to her and said, Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you.
[00:08:29] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.
[00:08:34] And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
[00:08:42] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
[00:08:49] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there will be no end.
[00:09:06] Friends, the grass withers and the flower fades but the word of God will stand forever.
[00:09:11] Amen.
[00:09:14] Children, at this point in time, I want to invite you forward for the lighting of the Advent candle.
[00:09:49] Good morning.
[00:09:52] Well, we've been lighting a candle each Sunday in worship and Advent.
[00:09:56] The first week we lit the candle of hope.
[00:10:00] And last week we lit the candle of peace.
[00:10:05] That's right, that Jesus comes and he brings hope to us and peace to us with God.
[00:10:12] That he reconciles us to God, makes things right.
[00:10:16] And this week we're going to light the pink candle in the back, and that candle is the candle of joy.
[00:10:24] The candle of joy.
[00:10:25] Now, how many of you know what joy feels like and looks like, right?
[00:10:29] It's one of those things we feel in our heart, but it's a little harder to put our finger on how to define it.
[00:10:37] But what I want us to understand about the joy that Jesus brings, you can put your hands down, the joy that Jesus brings is not
[00:10:45] Like happiness.
[00:10:47] Because here's the thing about happiness.
[00:10:49] Happiness can come and go in our lives, right?
[00:10:54] Some days we're happy, some days we're not.
[00:10:56] Happiness can come and go, but the promise from Scripture is that God gives us a joy that does not leave us through Jesus.
[00:11:07] Jesus' joy that he gives to us is with us in bad times and in good times.
[00:11:13] It's a joy that we have because we know that we are safe with Him, with the Lord.
[00:11:19] And in Luke chapter 2, we heard about this joy.
[00:11:22] We've heard this already during Advent, but I want to tell you about the promise of who Jesus would be.
[00:11:27] This is an angel of the Lord talking to shepherds watching their flocks by night.
[00:11:32] And they said this, they said, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
[00:11:41] Jesus' joy is for all the people who believe in Him.
[00:11:45] Isn't that amazing?
[00:11:46] That's what we celebrate at Advent, that Jesus is our hope, He's our peace, and He is our joy.
[00:11:53] All right, I need a volunteer to light this candle.
[00:11:56] Morgan, you want to come help me light these candles?
[00:11:59] All right, we're going to go in order.
[00:12:01] Can you tell which one's which?
[00:12:08] Jesus is our hope.
[00:12:11] Jesus is our peace.
[00:12:15] All right, now we're going to have to walk over there so that I don't catch my suit.
[00:12:18] There we go.
[00:12:19] All right, come over here.
[00:12:26] And Jesus is our joy.
[00:12:28] Let's pray and thank God, okay?
[00:12:30] Let's pray to him together.
[00:12:31] You repeat after me.
[00:12:31] Dear God, we thank you that Jesus brings us joy.
[00:12:39] Help us to sing praises to Him.
[00:12:44] In Jesus' name.
[00:12:46] Amen.
[00:12:47] All right, you can go back to your seats.
[00:12:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
And we will sing praises and we will celebrate the joy that we have in Christ as we turn to number 195.
[00:12:58] We'll stand together and sing joy to the world.
[00:13:14] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Joy to the world!
[00:13:23] The Lord is come!
[00:13:24] Let every sin begin!
[00:13:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
The Holy Spirit is with us today.
[00:13:52] and their songs employ.
[00:14:13] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
From fields and floods, from hills and plains, repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
[00:14:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
All more than sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the crowd.
[00:14:41] He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as,
[00:14:48] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
He rules the world with truth and grace
[00:15:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Let's pray together.
[00:15:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
O Lord, our God, we do celebrate the wonders of Your love this morning as we rejoice in the fact that You are the God of creation and the God of salvation, that You indeed have given joy to us, Your people, through Jesus Christ, Your Son and our Savior.
[00:15:39] Father, what an indescribable gift that You have blessed us with.
[00:15:43] and as we continue in worship now we also give we give back to you your tithes and our offerings just as a small token of our great love for you and what you have done for us and we do this in accordance with your word and we do it lord as joyful people and so we ask that you'll be pleased to receive these gifts and that you will use them to build up your kingdom all throughout the world we pray it in jesus name amen you may be seated
[00:16:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Let us pray.
[00:16:58] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let us pray.
[00:17:20] Let us pray.
[00:17:25] Let us pray.
[00:17:51] Let us pray.
[00:18:13] In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[00:18:38] Amen.
[00:18:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
[00:18:58] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Praise Him all creatures here below.
[00:18:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts.
[00:19:00] Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
[00:19:04] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.
[00:19:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
You may be seated.
[00:19:15] Well, it's appropriate today that we have lit the joy candle as a congregation.
[00:19:19] We have found reason for joy these last couple of weeks.
[00:19:22] Last Sunday, we were rejoicing over the safe and healthy arrival of little Josie Burrell, who's actually here with us this morning.
[00:19:28] Tim and Lizzie, it's good to see you all, and we're glad that Josie can be with you as well.
[00:19:31] And this morning we have further reason for joy as we celebrate with Ben and Abby Kiesler, their pregnancy, expecting a little one at the end of June.
[00:19:41] And so we celebrate with them and Gabriel, Avery, and Noah as well, who will be big siblings once again.
[00:19:48] So we rejoice with you all and continue to pray, Abby, for a healthy pregnancy and that the Lord will see you all through to June.
[00:19:56] So with that said, let's look to the Lord in a time of prayer together.
[00:20:03] Lord our God, the psalmist tells us to make a joyful noise to the Lord and to break forth into joyous song and to sing praises.
[00:20:13] And we do this because you have made known your salvation.
[00:20:17] You have revealed your righteousness in the sight of the nations.
[00:20:22] Father, in this season, we know that this salvation that You have revealed is fulfilled in the arrival, the incarnation of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who came into this world to save sinners.
[00:20:36] And so our joy this morning, our joy this month, our joy throughout the course of our lives is based, is rooted in the good news that Jesus has come and that He has accomplished salvation and redemption for His people.
[00:20:53] And even now, through His Holy Spirit, He is applying that finished work to the men and women, to the boys and girls that you have called to yourself.
[00:21:03] And so we do find great joy this morning
[00:21:06] In the glad tidings of good news that a Savior has come to this world.
[00:21:12] And Father, we have great joy not only in that but also in knowing that there is a day that You have set when this Savior who has ascended to Your heavenly throne will return.
[00:21:23] When He will come back and He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.
[00:21:30] And Father, that is the day that we find our hearts longing for, even as we reflect on His first advent, how we long for His return and His second advent.
[00:21:41] And yet here we live in between these two arrivals of our Savior.
[00:21:46] And this is where you have placed us.
[00:21:47] This is where you have called us to live and to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
[00:21:53] And so we thank you, Father, for the opportunity we have this morning to gather together and to worship as the people of God in this place at this time.
[00:22:04] And Father, we do thank you that you are the Father of light and the giver of every good and perfect gift.
[00:22:10] And we thank you this morning for the gift of new life.
[00:22:14] We thank you this morning that little Josie is here after coming into this world just eight days ago.
[00:22:18] We thank you for the answered prayers that she represents.
[00:22:22] And we praise you this morning for the good news from the Kiesler family, for this pregnancy that you have blessed Abby with and Ben and the rest of the family.
[00:22:31] Lord this is the answer to many prayers and so we thank you and praise you for this little one that even now you are knitting together within her womb and we would ask that you would superintend that you would safeguard this pregnancy and see it through to full term and a healthy delivery come June.
[00:22:48] Lord, how we thank you and praise you for this gift.
[00:22:52] And that reminds us to continue in prayer for Taylor and Jessica Welch and Piper as they continue to wait on you in their hopes for adoption.
[00:23:01] Lord, this has been a long road that they have been on, and so we would pray that you would answer this prayer, that you would fulfill their heart's desire, that you would do that soon and very soon, and that you would continue to abide with them as they wait upon the Lord.
[00:23:17] Of course, Lord, that's a theme for all of us in our lives, learning to wait upon the Lord.
[00:23:21] It is not always easy, especially when we find ourselves going through difficult days and seasons.
[00:23:27] And yet, Father, we know that you are completely trustworthy
The rose there blooming from tender sense hath sprung Of Jesse's lineage coming as men of old who have sung
[00:00:32] It came a-floweret bright, Amid the cold of winter, When past spent was the night.
[00:00:53] Isaiah t'was foretold it, the rose I have in mind.
[00:01:11] With Mary we behold it, the virgin of her kind.
[00:01:21] To show God's love aright She bore to men a Savior When half spent was the night
[00:01:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Please join us in standing, if you are able, as the Ancient of Days, the King of Glory, calls us to worship Him this morning.
[00:01:59] Lift up your head, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in.
[00:02:07] Who is this King of Glory?
[00:02:09] The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.
[00:02:14] Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
[00:02:21] Who is this King of glory?
[00:02:24] The Lord of hosts.
[00:02:26] He is the King of glory.
[00:02:29] Indeed, let us worship the King of glory this morning, joining our voices together, singing Hymn 198.
[00:02:35] Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates.
[00:02:37] We'll sing the first four verses.
[00:02:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Lift up your empty mighty face, behold the King of glory waits.
[00:03:05] The King of kings is drawing near, the Savior of kings.
[00:03:17] God help where just He comes to Thee, His chariot, His humility, His kingly crown, His holiness, His septuagrity,
[00:03:43] and the city blessed, where Christ the ruler is confessed.
[00:04:03] O happy heart that glad belongs to whom this King in triumph comes.
[00:04:06] Let's pray together.
[00:04:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Almighty God, you are the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
[00:04:45] All of the earth and all of its fullness is yours.
[00:04:48] All those who dwell within it are yours.
[00:04:52] You have founded all creation, you have established it, and you uphold it by your mighty omnipotent hand.
[00:05:00] And as we come this morning singing your praise and adorning you with prayer and love and
[00:05:07] We come knowing that we are not worthy in and of ourselves.
[00:05:11] That we cannot ascend the holy hill of the Lord on our own nor stand in your holy place.
[00:05:18] And so we worship you that Jesus has come to make a people of clean hands and pure heart.
[00:05:25] To make a people who lift our souls up to you in worship as we receive blessing from your hands.
[00:05:32] because you have given us righteousness and you are the God of our salvation.
[00:05:38] So be with us now as we seek your face, the God of Jacob, in worship this morning as we praise you, the King of kings, the Lord of hosts.
[00:05:48] We pray that you would lead us by the power of your Holy Spirit this morning as we worship you and that you would greatly equip us so that we may be encouraged by your promises.
[00:05:59] We find great comfort in knowing that all your promises find their yes and amen in the King of Glory, Jesus Christ.
[00:06:06] We pray these things in Jesus' name.
[00:06:08] Amen.
[00:06:10] Please remain standing and turn with me in your bulletins for our corporate voice of faith to Heidelberg Catechism 31.
[00:06:18] We're going to hear from our New Testament reading
[00:06:28] The angel of the Lord tell Mary that her son shall be called Jesus who will save his people.
[00:06:33] And our Heidelberg Catechism explains to us what that title, Christ, means to us.
[00:06:40] Heidelberg Catechism, question 31.
[00:06:42] Why is he called the Christ that is anointed?
[00:06:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Because he is ordained of God the Father and anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our chief prophet and teacher
[00:06:59] The secret counsel of God concerning our redemption and our only High Priest who by the one sacrifice of his body has redeemed us and ever lives to make intercession for us with the Father.
[00:07:18] and our eternal King who governs us by His Word and Spirit and defends and preserves us in the redemption obtained for us.
[00:07:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Please be seated.
[00:07:39] Let's turn in our Bibles now for our New Testament reading to the Gospel of Luke chapter 1 verses 26 through 33.
[00:07:56] Let's hear now the word of the Lord.
[00:08:09] In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David.
[00:08:21] And the virgin's name was Mary.
[00:08:24] And he came to her and said, Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you.
[00:08:29] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.
[00:08:34] And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
[00:08:42] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
[00:08:49] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there will be no end.
[00:09:06] Friends, the grass withers and the flower fades but the word of God will stand forever.
[00:09:11] Amen.
[00:09:14] Children, at this point in time, I want to invite you forward for the lighting of the Advent candle.
[00:09:49] Good morning.
[00:09:52] Well, we've been lighting a candle each Sunday in worship and Advent.
[00:09:56] The first week we lit the candle of hope.
[00:10:00] And last week we lit the candle of peace.
[00:10:05] That's right, that Jesus comes and he brings hope to us and peace to us with God.
[00:10:12] That he reconciles us to God, makes things right.
[00:10:16] And this week we're going to light the pink candle in the back, and that candle is the candle of joy.
[00:10:24] The candle of joy.
[00:10:25] Now, how many of you know what joy feels like and looks like, right?
[00:10:29] It's one of those things we feel in our heart, but it's a little harder to put our finger on how to define it.
[00:10:37] But what I want us to understand about the joy that Jesus brings, you can put your hands down, the joy that Jesus brings is not
[00:10:45] Like happiness.
[00:10:47] Because here's the thing about happiness.
[00:10:49] Happiness can come and go in our lives, right?
[00:10:54] Some days we're happy, some days we're not.
[00:10:56] Happiness can come and go, but the promise from Scripture is that God gives us a joy that does not leave us through Jesus.
[00:11:07] Jesus' joy that he gives to us is with us in bad times and in good times.
[00:11:13] It's a joy that we have because we know that we are safe with Him, with the Lord.
[00:11:19] And in Luke chapter 2, we heard about this joy.
[00:11:22] We've heard this already during Advent, but I want to tell you about the promise of who Jesus would be.
[00:11:27] This is an angel of the Lord talking to shepherds watching their flocks by night.
[00:11:32] And they said this, they said, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
[00:11:41] Jesus' joy is for all the people who believe in Him.
[00:11:45] Isn't that amazing?
[00:11:46] That's what we celebrate at Advent, that Jesus is our hope, He's our peace, and He is our joy.
[00:11:53] All right, I need a volunteer to light this candle.
[00:11:56] Morgan, you want to come help me light these candles?
[00:11:59] All right, we're going to go in order.
[00:12:01] Can you tell which one's which?
[00:12:08] Jesus is our hope.
[00:12:11] Jesus is our peace.
[00:12:15] All right, now we're going to have to walk over there so that I don't catch my suit.
[00:12:18] There we go.
[00:12:19] All right, come over here.
[00:12:26] And Jesus is our joy.
[00:12:28] Let's pray and thank God, okay?
[00:12:30] Let's pray to him together.
[00:12:31] You repeat after me.
[00:12:31] Dear God, we thank you that Jesus brings us joy.
[00:12:39] Help us to sing praises to Him.
[00:12:44] In Jesus' name.
[00:12:46] Amen.
[00:12:47] All right, you can go back to your seats.
[00:12:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
And we will sing praises and we will celebrate the joy that we have in Christ as we turn to number 195.
[00:12:58] We'll stand together and sing joy to the world.
[00:13:14] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Joy to the world!
[00:13:23] The Lord is come!
[00:13:24] Let every sin begin!
[00:13:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
The Holy Spirit is with us today.
[00:13:52] and their songs employ.
[00:14:13] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
From fields and floods, from hills and plains, repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
[00:14:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
All more than sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the crowd.
[00:14:41] He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as,
[00:14:48] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
He rules the world with truth and grace
[00:15:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Let's pray together.
[00:15:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
O Lord, our God, we do celebrate the wonders of Your love this morning as we rejoice in the fact that You are the God of creation and the God of salvation, that You indeed have given joy to us, Your people, through Jesus Christ, Your Son and our Savior.
[00:15:39] Father, what an indescribable gift that You have blessed us with.
[00:15:43] and as we continue in worship now we also give we give back to you your tithes and our offerings just as a small token of our great love for you and what you have done for us and we do this in accordance with your word and we do it lord as joyful people and so we ask that you'll be pleased to receive these gifts and that you will use them to build up your kingdom all throughout the world we pray it in jesus name amen you may be seated
[00:16:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Let us pray.
[00:16:58] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let us pray.
[00:17:20] Let us pray.
[00:17:25] Let us pray.
[00:17:51] Let us pray.
[00:18:13] In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[00:18:38] Amen.
[00:18:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
[00:18:58] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Praise Him all creatures here below.
[00:18:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts.
[00:19:00] Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
[00:19:04] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.
[00:19:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
You may be seated.
[00:19:15] Well, it's appropriate today that we have lit the joy candle as a congregation.
[00:19:19] We have found reason for joy these last couple of weeks.
[00:19:22] Last Sunday, we were rejoicing over the safe and healthy arrival of little Josie Burrell, who's actually here with us this morning.
[00:19:28] Tim and Lizzie, it's good to see you all, and we're glad that Josie can be with you as well.
[00:19:31] And this morning we have further reason for joy as we celebrate with Ben and Abby Kiesler, their pregnancy, expecting a little one at the end of June.
[00:19:41] And so we celebrate with them and Gabriel, Avery, and Noah as well, who will be big siblings once again.
[00:19:48] So we rejoice with you all and continue to pray, Abby, for a healthy pregnancy and that the Lord will see you all through to June.
[00:19:56] So with that said, let's look to the Lord in a time of prayer together.
[00:20:03] Lord our God, the psalmist tells us to make a joyful noise to the Lord and to break forth into joyous song and to sing praises.
[00:20:13] And we do this because you have made known your salvation.
[00:20:17] You have revealed your righteousness in the sight of the nations.
[00:20:22] Father, in this season, we know that this salvation that You have revealed is fulfilled in the arrival, the incarnation of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who came into this world to save sinners.
[00:20:36] And so our joy this morning, our joy this month, our joy throughout the course of our lives is based, is rooted in the good news that Jesus has come and that He has accomplished salvation and redemption for His people.
[00:20:53] And even now, through His Holy Spirit, He is applying that finished work to the men and women, to the boys and girls that you have called to yourself.
[00:21:03] And so we do find great joy this morning
[00:21:06] In the glad tidings of good news that a Savior has come to this world.
[00:21:12] And Father, we have great joy not only in that but also in knowing that there is a day that You have set when this Savior who has ascended to Your heavenly throne will return.
[00:21:23] When He will come back and He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.
[00:21:30] And Father, that is the day that we find our hearts longing for, even as we reflect on His first advent, how we long for His return and His second advent.
[00:21:41] And yet here we live in between these two arrivals of our Savior.
[00:21:46] And this is where you have placed us.
[00:21:47] This is where you have called us to live and to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
[00:21:53] And so we thank you, Father, for the opportunity we have this morning to gather together and to worship as the people of God in this place at this time.
[00:22:04] And Father, we do thank you that you are the Father of light and the giver of every good and perfect gift.
[00:22:10] And we thank you this morning for the gift of new life.
[00:22:14] We thank you this morning that little Josie is here after coming into this world just eight days ago.
[00:22:18] We thank you for the answered prayers that she represents.
[00:22:22] And we praise you this morning for the good news from the Kiesler family, for this pregnancy that you have blessed Abby with and Ben and the rest of the family.
[00:22:31] Lord this is the answer to many prayers and so we thank you and praise you for this little one that even now you are knitting together within her womb and we would ask that you would superintend that you would safeguard this pregnancy and see it through to full term and a healthy delivery come June.
[00:22:48] Lord, how we thank you and praise you for this gift.
[00:22:52] And that reminds us to continue in prayer for Taylor and Jessica Welch and Piper as they continue to wait on you in their hopes for adoption.
[00:23:01] Lord, this has been a long road that they have been on, and so we would pray that you would answer this prayer, that you would fulfill their heart's desire, that you would do that soon and very soon, and that you would continue to abide with them as they wait upon the Lord.
[00:23:17] Of course, Lord, that's a theme for all of us in our lives, learning to wait upon the Lord.
[00:23:21] It is not always easy, especially when we find ourselves going through difficult days and seasons.
[00:23:27] And yet, Father, we know that you are completely trustworthy
