EMMANUEL – WEEK 3

JOY (GAUDETTE SUNDAY)

DECEMBER 14, 2025

 

MATTHEW 2:1-12 – Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

 

Four Themes of Advent:

1. 1. Hope
   2. Peace
   3. Joy
   4. Love

 

PART 1 – The Magi and the Nature of True Joy

 

“Peace is resting joy – joy is dancing peace! Joy cries hosanna before the Well-Beloved, but peace leans her head on his bosom. We work with joy, and we rest with peace.”

Charles Spurgeon

 

Joy = anticipation

Peace = assurance

 

Joy is peace expressed as dance.

Peace is joy expressed as rest.

 

PART 2 – The Application of Joy

 

ROMANS 8:16-17 – The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

 

SHEMA – Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.

 

Kurios Caesar (Caesar is Lord)

Kurios Insous (Jesus is Lord)

 

ROMANS 8:35-39 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, 

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers (demons), nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

ὑπερνικάω (huper-nikaō) – to have complete triumph, win a most thorough victory. HYPER Triumph

 

ROMANS 8:31-39 – What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

5 Questions:

 

1. 1. If God is for us, who can be against us?

 

1. 2. He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

 

1. 3. Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?

 

1. 4. Who is to condemn?

 

1. 5. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

 

Joy is peace expressed as dance.

Peace is joy expressed as rest.