VIDEO
LOVE (advent week 3)
This sermon was given on 12/14/25 at Pax Christian Church.
SPEAKER
Mandy Lucas is one of the Co-Lead Pastors at Pax Christian Church.
SERMON SERIES
This sermon series is “ADVENT 2025”
NOTES
Find the full notes below on this page, or in the YouVersion Bible App.
NOTES:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
The same joy Jesus’ birth offered to 2000 years ago is available to us today.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this childand all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY…
God’s presence being our joy is and will always be the source of our Greatest Joy.
Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.
Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
They ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD that day. Then they acknowledged Solomon son of David as king a second time, anointing him before the LORD to be ruler and Zadok to be priest.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you.I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
GOD DOESN’T CHANGE.
HIS DESIRE HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO BE WITH US. AND IN HIS PRESENCE WE FIND JOY.
HE OFFERED US THAT JOY IN IMMANUEL. THE ONE PROPHESIED TO BE BORN OF A VIRGIN.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
THE HEAVENS REJOICED AT THE BIRTH OF JESUS.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME TODAY.
HIS OFFER OF THE JOY OF HIS PRESENCE IS STILL FOR ALL PEOPLE.
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own
JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME FOREVER.
WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN GREAT JOY. GOD WITH US, AND IN US.
JOY COMES FROM THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN US THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
JOY IS A FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
OUR JOY CAN NOT BE TAKEN FROM US.
Rejoice always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds
IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE JOY IN TRIALS.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this childand all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
JESUS IS THE SAME FOREVER.
THE JOY HE OFFERS IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ALL.
WE GET TO SHARE IT.
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
WE HAVE JOY BECAUSE OF WHAT JESUS DID FOR US AND BECAUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN US.
WHO CAN YOU SHARE THAT JOY WITH THIS WEEK?
IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF JOY IN THIS SEASON:
REFLECT : How is God speaking to you through his word today?
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