PART 3: The Joy of the Church!

This week, we’ve been looking at some key passages surrounding Joy.

If you missed the first 2 posts, click HERE to read Part 1 which focused on the Joy of the Shepherds at the Messiah’s birth, or click HERE to read Part 2 which focused on the Joy of the Believer hearing the voice of the Good Shepherd for the first time.

Luke 15:4-7

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’

In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”

The Messiah came to find lost sheep.

This is why the Messiah had to come.

Presents and parties, friends and family are all great things; informally and formally used to celebrate Christmas and the coming of Christ. But if the church gets more joy from these things, than lost sheep being found; we’re missing it.

We’re missing why the Messiah came. We’re missing what Christmas represents to our fallen world. We must remind each other that the baby in the manger came to become the Good Shepherd.

If we do not experience great joy when someone hears the Good Shepherd’s voice for the first time and enters into His flock; we’re missing the grand design of the Good News.

We’re missing the grand design of Christmas.

Every year, people attend church on Christmas Eve more than any other time of year. Perhaps out of tradition, nostalgia or maybe even guilt, many people who are not church-goers, choose to attend a church service at Christmas.

As Believers, we should recognise this and prepare for it. On Christmas Eve, there will be an influx of lost sheep in our churches. Moreover, Christmas Eve is one of those few times of the year where people might just accept that invitation to attend a church service.

What are we going to do about it?

Our services should not just be centred on celebrating Christmas. Of course, our worship teams will be working on some great Christmas carols and our pastors should be preparing a Gospel-centred Christmas message, but what’s our part?

Let’s increase the number of lost sheep, by inviting someone we know. Bring a friend or co-worker, neighbour or family member (even the mail-man if he accepts the invitation).

Surely there is someone you know, who is lost, waiting to hear the Good Shepherds voice.

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

Who will you invite to Christmas Eve service this year?