Advent: Joy - That Your Joy May Be Full - John 15:1-11

During this Advent season, we’ve paused our study of the Gospel of Mark to reflect on the profound truths of Christ’s coming. Two weeks ago, we explored the hope of resurrection from Mark 12, and last week, we looked at the peace we find in Christ. These are not basic, mundane truths; we benefit when we remember who our God is and rekindle our passion for Christ’s gospel. In Christ, we have perfect reconciliation with God and complete righteousness before the Father. As Christmas approaches, let’s focus on these magnificent realities, resting and rejoicing in our hearts. Joy is our theme this third Sunday of Advent. The angels announced good news of great joy for all people at Jesus’ birth, and we will explore how to cultivate joy as the Spirit’s fruit, mainly from John 15:1-11. We will explain the Christian’s joy, distinguishing it from mere happiness, and see how joy is commanded by God, endures through sorrow, flows from God Himself, and grows as we abide in Christ—trusting in Him. Abiding in Christ nurtures the fruit of joy, because our joy comes from Jesus’ own joy, transforming even our hardships into reasons for rejoicing.

I. Joy & Happiness Overlap But Are Not the Same - (Jeremiah 33:11, Proverbs 23:24-25, Proverbs 27:9) 

II. Joy & Rejoicing Are Commanded By God - (Rom. 12:15; Phil 3:1; 4:4; 1 Thess. 5:16)

III. Joy Can Still Be Present In Sorrow - (Habakkuk 3:17-18, 2 Corinthians 6:9-10) 

IV. True Joy Is In God & From God - (John 15:11, Isaiah 42:1)

V. Joy Is A Fruit That Grows As We Cultivate it - (John 15:1-11)

Advent: The Gift Of Peace

As we enter the Christmas season, we will pause our verse-by-verse study in Mark to focus on the profound wonder of Christ’s birth. In keeping with the Advent season, this Sunday, we’ll explore the peace that Jesus brings, drawing from different passages across Scripture to highlight its various aspects. While we usually follow a consecutive exposition through books of the Bible, this topical approach allows us to step back and appreciate a theme woven throughout God’s Word. (While being careful to take each passage in its context).

The concept of peace is mentioned hundreds of times in Scripture and is what all creation has longed for since sin entered the world. Yet, despite everything we pursue, true peace only comes through Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Christmas isn’t just about a baby in a manger—it’s about the incarnation of the One who brings peace, as foretold in prophecies like Isaiah 9:6. As we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Savior, let’s reflect on how Jesus, the Prince of Peace, secures our eternal hope through His life, death, and resurrection, and let peace reign in our hearts (Col. 3:15).

I. Jesus Brings Peace With God (Rom. 5:1-2)

II. Jesus Gives Peace Within Us (John 14:27; 16:32-33)

III. Jesus Brings Peace With One Another (Eph. 2:14-16)

IV. Jesus Will Bring Peace To All Creation (Luke 2:13-14; Isa. 11:6-9)