PROCLAIMERS OF JOY

Anchor Text: Psalm 68:11

Beyond reasonable doubts, the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ ushers in a season of joy unspeakable. This season of celebration provides yet another opportunity for us to experience the joy of the Lord, and to proclaim it to as many people as possible.
Today, we want to profile the lives of people who proclaimed the joy of the Lord to their generation during the birth of Jesus Christ, and possibly learn a few lessons from their lives.

1. Wise men from the East (Matt. 2:1-12) 

These men came all the way from the East. They were not the regular religious-looking folks you would see around. They wouldn’t even have been perceived by the society as being ‘righteous’, yet they came as they were directed by God. They might have possibly had an encounter with the Lord somewhere along the line. God can use anyone He chooses to fulfil His purpose on earth. He uses the foolish things to confound the wise… (1 Cor. 1:26-29). 

They came with a heartfelt desire to worship the newly born King. They eventually worshipped Him, proclaimed His glory and carried out all their actions based on divine prescription.

2. Shepherds that kept the watch (Luke 2:8-20)

These men were abiding in the field, watching over their flock, kept themselves awake while others were sleeping, and all of a sudden, they experienced an angelic visitation and the glory of the Lord beamed upon them. The angel of the Lord revealed to them all what the Lord would have them say about the Saviour that had just been born.
We have nothing to proclaim to our generation, except that which the Lord reveals to us (Matt. 10:27). 

3. Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)

He was a faithful and God-fearing man, who laboured fervently into prayers, for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would see the Messiah before death. This man was led by the Spirit, and he entered the Temple on the day of the child's dedication...

4. Anna the prophetess (Luke 2:36-38)

She was a widow of about eighty-four years who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers, night and day. Also being propelled by the Spirit of God, she came in at that instant, gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem…

Some of the things we could learn from the lives of these people:

a. Each of them had encounter with God, which left indelible marks on their lives.

b. They got overwhelmed with the presence of God, such that they could not trade it for anything else.

c. They saw what others could not see.

d. They became channels of God’s blessings to others…

Declaration: Receive grace to be a publisher of the good tidings of joy, peace and salvation, in the name of Jesus Christ! (Isaiah 52:7).

                                              PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

                                                       Resident  Pastor

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