Advent - Jesus as King (Joy) 

Matthew 13:44–46 (ESV)

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. 

The man who finds the treasure has such great joy that the treasure means more to Him than anything.

Whose kingdom is this? What is so great about the kingdom? 

Colossians 1:9–14 (ESV): 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 

The kingdom is great because the King is great. 

Let’s look at the King together.

Psalm 16 (ESV)

A Miktam of David. 

 1  Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2  I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” 3  As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. 4  The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out 

or take their names on my lips. 5  The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. 6  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 7  I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8  I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9  Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10  For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11  You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

John 16:16–22 (ESV): 16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 

Things that create joy in us from Psalm 16

1. God is the one to take refuge in

2. You are made a saint

3. You are given others in your life who follow God

4. God holds your life in His hands. He sets your your lot in life

5. God gives you the counsel and instruction you need through His Word

6. God is always with you; thus, you are unshakable.

7. Because Jesus was not abandoned to death, you won’t be either 

Things that will lead you to give your joy away from Psalm 16

1. Believing you have good apart from God

2. Running after other gods

3. Being discontent with the life God has given you

4. Not listening to God’s counsel

5. Not meditating on God’s counsel

6. Not setting the Lord always before you

7. Not being in (or filled) with the Lord’s prescience 

Topics for the Prayer Time

*Those who have yet to believe in Jesus

*The unreached peoples of the earth

*Missionaries around the world and for more to go

*The spiritual growth of other believers and churches

*That you would have more spiritual gifts

*That Christians would remain faithful under persecution

*Those who are sick

*Those who have lost loved ones

*Those traveling

*Our nation, leaders, military, and civil servants

*Pray for the health and salvation of the unborn babies in our church

*Pray against the evils of abortion and human trafficking

*Pray for the University of Florida international students 

*Pray God would bless our efforts to in evangelism and discipleship

*Pray God would bless our community

*Pray God would bless the churches of those visiting us