Sermon Date: 12/14/2025

Bible Verses:

• Psalm 98

Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley

Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-

Introduction: The Sound of Joy in a Weary World

We come today to the third Sunday of Advent—the Sunday of Joy. The pink candle, often called the Shepherds’ Candle, reminds us that the news of Christ’s coming brings joy so deep that it shakes the foundations of the world.

And what better hymn to drive that home than “Joy to the World”?

What most people don’t realize is that Isaac Watts wasn't writing about the baby in the manger—he was writing about the King on the throne. This hymn is not just about Christmas past; it’s about the coming kingdom. It’s rooted in Psalm 98, which opens like this:

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things…” (Psalm 98:1)

It’s a psalm of triumphant joy—not naive happiness, but world-shaking, sin-conquering joy grounded in God’s promise and power.

Let’s break down that kind of Advent joy in three parts.

1. Joy Declared: The King Has Come, The King Will Come Again

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!”

Watts was pointing to the fulfillment of Psalm 98, which celebrates a God who:

• Acts with power (v. 1)
• Reveals righteousness (v. 2)
• Remembers His love and faithfulness (v. 3)

Advent joy doesn’t start with us—it starts with God. The Lord has come. He entered our world not to observe suffering, but to overcome it—from Bethlehem to the cross to the empty tomb.

Every time we sing “Joy to the world,” we’re not just remembering Christmas—we’re rehearsing the moment when Jesus returns as King and joy floods everything that’s been broken.

✦ Advent joy isn’t rooted in what we feel—it’s rooted in who reigns.

2. Joy Received: Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room

Joy is offered—but it must be received.

The line we sing so casually—"Let every heart prepare Him room"—is a direct challenge. It asks:
Have you made room in your life for the King?

Joy doesn’t come from a perfect December. It doesn't come from the right gifts, the right balance in the bank, or even the right relationships. Joy comes from surrendering the throne of your life to the One who already rules heaven and earth.

Psalm 98 repeats the word “all” and “every”—indicating the reach of God’s joy:

• “All the ends of the earth have seen…” (v. 3)
• “Let the sea resound, and everything in it…” (v. 7)
• “Let the rivers clap their hands…” (v. 8)

If seas and rivers and mountains can rejoice—how much more should the people He came to save?

✦ Joy is not automatic—it’s the echo of a heart where Jesus is welcome.

3. Joy Restored: Far as the Curse Is Found

Why is this hymn connected to Genesis 3? Because Jesus didn’t just come to save souls—He came to undo the curse.
Every sorrow, every brokenness, every ache in your bones comes from a world still shadowed by sin. But Watts reminds us:

“He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found.”

Psalm 98 ends with anticipation:

“…for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.” (Psalm 98:9)

That’s not bad news—that’s good news. Jesus doesn’t just bring joy—He restores justice. He doesn’t just save hearts—He heals creation. He doesn’t just reign someday—He reigns today.

In Jesus, joy is not fragile—it’s unstoppable. It’s coming with Him when He returns, and it’s breaking into the world now through every believer who refuses to let despair have the last word.

Conclusion: Light the Candle, Live the Joy

Today we light the Candle of Joy—not because life is perfect, but because God’s promise is. Joy is not a mood—it’s the music of heaven breaking into earth.

So let the good news of Advent ring louder than the bad news around us. Let every heart prepare Him room. Let every home, every workplace, every struggle, and every silence feel the weight of this truth:

✦ Joy to the world—the Lord is come.
✦ Joy to the world—the Lord is coming again.
✦ Joy to the world—let us live like we believe it.