Joy For All People
God sent the message of good news of Joy for all people to shepherds. People who were far from God. Which makes it believable this message truly is for all people.
The angel brought good news of great Joy that will be for all people.
God knows what he is doing.
If God sent the birth announcement of his Son to the religious or royalty, no one would believe it was for all people.
But because he sent the birth announcement to shepherds, people could actually believe it.
The good news of great Joy is that the Baby wrapped in a swaddling cloth and lying in a manger is the Savior of all people.
The Savior of all people from their sins.
If you’re kicking the tires on this whole God thing, I’m glad you’re reading.
Consider all these things. The far from God shepherds receiving a message from God about his Son who was born. The message being for all people. The message being Joy is available to all people through this Savior…who is at this time a Baby in a manger.
Joy comes when we stop trying to find Joy in the created order.
This joy is actually happiness. Which is fleeting and circumstantial. You’re happy for a moment when the created order gives you what you want. But it all comes crumbling down because the created order was never meant to be your foundation.
This change of perspective allows the created order becomes God’s gift to you…not your way to find Joy. Which builds a Foundation that will withstand any circumstance.
To those who do know God. And you’re leaders in the church.
Is your message of Joy for all people? Or just for the religious? Or just for those who come to (your) church? Or just for those who follow the rules?
Remember, God sent his birth announcement to the far from God shepherds.
Who is in the midst of your church who is far from God who you are sharing the good news of great Joy that is for them?
If “no one” is the answer, how can your church give the message of good news of great Joy to all people this next year? How can you pray for God to do the impossible through you among those far from God?