The sign of joy

I. Signs of joy in Jesus' First Advent

A. Zacharias and Elizabeth have joy and gladness at John's birth!

1. See Malachi 4:5, 6.

2. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb.

And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord? (Luke 1:13?17).

3. Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord? (Lk 1:39?45).

B. Jesus' birth announcement is good news of great joy!

  1. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10, 11).
  2. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them (Luke 2:20).

II. Signs of joy in Jesus' Second Advent

* Joy is experienced by those who eagerly await Christ's return!

  1. And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him (Heb. 9:27, 28).
  2. See 1 Peter 1:3-9.

Advent Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, December 14th, 2025.

Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions

The sign of joy

An important Guideline of Care Groups: Gathering together needs to be an expression of joyful unity as Psalm 133:1 expresses, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity."

Getting Started:

  1. How do you make a distinction between happiness and joy?
  2. Where do you often look for joy (relationships, possessions, achievements, vacations, promotions, etc. . .)? What can those things produce compared with the lasting joy of Jesus?

Discussing Truths:

  1. What are some "signs of joy" in your life as you anticipate Christmas and look forward to Christ's second advent?
  2. After 6 months of silence, Elizabeth rejoiced in Mary's visit, being filled with the Holy Spirit and the fruit of Joy (Luke 1:39-45). How did Elizabeth know that Mary was carrying the Messiah?
  3. How does the angel's birth announcement to the shepherds demonstrate that joy conquers fear (Luke 2:8-11)? What was the shepherd's response (Luke 2:15-20)?
  4. What is your take away from Proverbs 17:22? Why do you think that some people like to play the "Victim Card"? Have you known some "Joy-suckers" in your life?
  5. Do you believe that JOY is experienced as we keep the priorities of Jesus, Others and You? How does gratitude help in fueling real joy?
  6. How can you "greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8) in an authentic and communicable way?

Now What? Application:

  1. Take time to evaluate the people in your OIKOS and seek to spread joy to those struggling. Become contagious with grace, love and joy!
  2. How can you use your attitude of joy to share the "good news of great joy" about Jesus with someone this Christmas season?