This month, Coastal Church, together with church buildings everywhere in the world, is celebrating the season of Introduction, which merely means coming or arriving. For all of December, we’re reflecting on the primary Introduction when God grew to become one among us. This week, we lit the pink candle on the Introduction wreath, representing pleasure, the fruit of the Holy Spirit that transcends our circumstances.
The place does pleasure come from?
This previous weekend Pastor Dave shared the wealthy theology discovered within the carol Pleasure to the World. He confirmed us that this music is a lot greater than a enjoyable music at Christmastime; it’s additionally a daring proclamation of the Gospel. My favorite a part of this music is the lyric inviting us to make room for Christ in our hearts – which is the right response to the miracle of the incarnation. We’re invited to permit Christ to be born in us. The primary Introduction introduced Pleasure into the world, and we additionally look forward in expectation to the second Introduction after we will see Him “rule the world with fact and style.” That is after we may have countless pleasure in His presence eternally. True pleasure can solely be present in God alone. In Luke 2:10, the angels appeared to the shepherds saying:
“Don’t be afraid. I carry you excellent news that can trigger nice pleasure for all of the folks.”
Jesus is the explanation for this nice pleasure. This pleasure brings salvation, eternal hope, and peace to our damaged world. It’s a pleasure not based mostly on emotions or the fleeting satisfaction of accumulating extra stuff. No, this pleasure is the promise of His fantastic presence that can by no means go away or forsake us. Whereas happiness depends on issues going properly, pleasure is the peace of mind that God is with us and that His guarantees are true. It was this pleasure that was launched to the shepherds and continues to be obtainable to us in the present day.
Pleasure within the ready?
Introduction is a season of anticipation; ready can typically really feel troublesome and even wearying. However pleasure reminds us that God is at work even whereas we’re ready. James 1:2-3 tells us:
“Think about it pure pleasure, my brothers and sisters, everytime you face trials of many sorts, as a result of you realize that the testing of your religion produces perseverance.”
Introduction encourages us to raise our eyes from our circumstances and do not forget that God can take even the worst conditions and produce one thing good in us.
I not too long ago got here throughout a narrative from Corrie ten Increase that reveals how somebody can have pleasure amid a harrowing state of affairs.
“Corrie and her household lived within the Netherlands throughout World Warfare II, the place they operated a watch restore store. Beneath their dwelling, they constructed a secret hiding place to shelter Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. Their dwelling grew to become a haven of hope and resistance in a time of nice worry and oppression. Regardless of the dangers, the ten Booms selected to behave out of affection and religion, believing that each life was treasured to God.
In 1944, their efforts had been found, and the Gestapo arrested Corrie, her sister Betsie, and their aged father. Whereas their father handed away shortly after their arrest, Corrie and Betsie had been ultimately despatched to Ravensbrück, one of the crucial infamous Nazi focus camps. The situations had been horrifying: overcrowded barracks, relentless labor, and an ever-present ambiance of demise and despair. But even on this horrible place, Corrie and Betsie selected to cling to their religion in God.
The barracks the place they lived had been infested with fleas, which solely added to their distress. At some point, throughout one among their secret prayers, Betsie reminded Corrie of 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Betsie insisted they thank God for the fleas. Corrie initially resisted, struggling to seek out any motive for gratitude in such struggling. However they later found that the fleas stored the guards from coming into their barracks, permitting them to carry clandestine Bible research and worship periods with out interference. What they first noticed as a curse grew to become a profound blessing.
Regardless of the horrors round them, Betsie’s unwavering religion and pleasure shone brightly. She typically instructed Corrie, “There is no such thing as a pit so deep that God’s love isn’t deeper nonetheless.” These phrases grew to become a supply of energy not just for Corrie but additionally for the opposite prisoners. As Betsie grew weaker, she spoke of forgiveness and envisioned a ministry that will assist others heal after the conflict. Her religion remained steadfast till the top, when she handed away within the camp.”
Corrie survived and went on to share their story worldwide. We even see her share elements of her story within the Alpha course. She carried Betsie’s message of forgiveness and pleasure that comes from trusting God even within the darkest valleys. She typically stated, “Pleasure runs deeper than despair,” an affidavit to the sustaining energy of God’s presence.
The theologian Tim Mackie writes:
“That is very totally different from the trite recommendation to “flip your frown upside-down.” Christian pleasure is a profound choice of religion and hope within the energy of Jesus’ personal life and love.”
Corrie’s life continues to encourage generations, reminding us that true pleasure is present in God, not our circumstances.
So, how will we reside out this type of pleasure?
Pleasure is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and must be cultivated and shared (Galatians 5:22-23). As we draw nearer to Jesus, His pleasure turns into our energy (Nehemiah 8:10), equipping us to serve, encourage, and uplift others. For this Introduction season, listed here are some sensible methods to unfold pleasure:
- Name or textual content your folks, household, or co-workers one thing encouraging. Inform them what you respect about them.
- Spend time in worship, reflecting on the enjoyment of Christ’s coming. Worship helps domesticate pleasure. When your coronary heart is stuffed with God’s love, it’s simpler to share it.
- Share the excellent news of Jesus with somebody who wants to listen to it and invite them to one among our Christmas providers.
- Serve others with acts of kindness – supply to shovel a snowy driveway, invite your neighbour for dinner, or give them a Christmas current.
Every small act of joy-filled love can turn into an affidavit of the transformative energy of God’s presence in our lives.
Jesus’ pleasure is exclusive as a result of it reveals how this supernatural pleasure is fueled by love and function. Philippians 2:5-8 reminds us that Jesus “humbled himself by turning into obedient to demise—even demise on a cross.” And Hebrews 12:2 tells us that it was “for the enjoyment set earlier than him” that He endured the cross. His pleasure got here from fulfilling his Father’s will and revealed the incomprehensible love that He had for redeeming all of humanity.
Introduction factors us to the unbelievable fact that pleasure isn’t a fleeting emotion, however a steadfast assurance present in Christ. Lighting the pink candle this week helps us do not forget that Jesus is the last word joy-bringer. His arrival over 2,000 years in the past modified the course of historical past, and His presence continues to remodel us. His pleasure anchors us in life’s storms, sustains us in our ready, and invitations us to have a good time God’s goodness. This Introduction season, might we frequently open our hearts to the enjoyment of our Saviour.
