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Sermon: The Joy That Overcomes Fear
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-14
*"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.’"*
Introduction
The birth of Jesus was a world-changing event. The world was never the same after that first Christmas, and neither should our lives be.
The question is: Why does Christmas matter to us today?
Why Shepherds?
The first people to hear about Jesus' birth weren’t kings, religious leaders, or the wealthy. Instead, the news came to shepherds—outcasts of society. In ancient times, shepherds were seen as dishonest and untrustworthy. Jewish law even forbade people from buying milk or wool from them because they were assumed to be thieves. If a shepherd fell into a well, no one was obligated to save him.
Yet, God chose them.
This tells us something profound: God sees and values the forgotten, the outcasts, the ones the world overlooks.
Fear and the Human Condition
When the angel appeared, the shepherds were terrified. That reaction is telling.
If God were to suddenly appear before us today, would we be filled with joy or fear?
Fear was not originally part of human nature. We were made in God’s image, without fear. But sin introduced fear—fear of judgment, fear of the unknown, fear of not being enough.
A recent survey showed that 62% of Malaysians fear that artificial intelligence will take their jobs, compared to just 32% globally. Many fear financial insecurity, career instability, or even the education system changing beyond recognition.
Some fears are deeply personal. I recently lost two patients—one who had just recovered from cancer but suddenly passed away on a business trip, and another who had survived multiple surgeries, only to die unexpectedly. These moments make us question: Why bring a child into such a fearful world?
But Christmas speaks directly to our fears.
Science Can Numb Fear, But Not Remove It
At the University of California, scientists discovered a way to turn off fear in mice by injecting a virus into their brain that blocked fear-related neurotransmitters. The mice became fearless, but at a cost—some even ran toward predators instead of away.
Similarly, medication like Prozac can reduce fear and anxiety. But removing fear artificially doesn’t solve the root problem.
What about true, lasting peace?
The Angel’s Message: Fear Not!
The angel’s first words to the shepherds were a command:
"Fear not!"
Why? Because there was a reason to let go of fear. The angel brought good news of great joy—the arrival of a Savior.
What is joy?
• The American Psychological Association defines it as a feeling of extreme gladness, well-being, or satisfaction.
• Merriam-Webster calls it "an emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune."
Most people seek joy through possessions, success, or experiences—whether through gifts at Christmas, promotions at work, or financial security. But these things don’t last.
The Illusion of Happiness
In Mark 2, four men brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus, desperate for healing. His greatest desire was to walk again. But when Jesus saw him, the first thing He said was:
"Son, your sins are forgiven."
Jesus knew his deepest need wasn’t physical healing, but spiritual restoration.
A recent study showed that 24.2% of Malaysians suffer from depression, 36.3% from anxiety, and 20% from stress. Many of these people can walk, yet they still struggle with joy.
Why?
Because lasting joy isn’t found in circumstances, wealth, or even physical health.
Studies show that happiness levels always return to a "set point." A lottery winner might feel euphoric for a while, but eventually, their happiness resets. Meanwhile, those who lose everything in life often recover emotionally. Our circumstances don’t define our joy—our faith does.
True Joy Comes from Within
Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well:
"Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:14)
Joy does not come from external possessions—it flows from within, from a restored relationship with God.
The Cross: Where Fear Ends and Joy Begins
Isaiah prophesied about Jesus 700 years before His birth:
"He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
The root of fear is sin—our separation from God. But Jesus came to restore us, to bring peace where fear once ruled.
At His second coming, there will be no more fear. Why? Because on the cross, He already took our fear, guilt, and shame.
Now, when God looks at you, He doesn’t see your failures, your regrets, or your fears. He sees the righteousness of Christ.
This means when Jesus returns, we will run to Him, not away from Him.
A Call to Rejoice
Isaiah 35:10 declares:
"And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
This is our promise.
This Christmas, don’t settle for temporary happiness—presents under a tree, fleeting success, or material gain. Receive the true, lasting joy that only comes from Christ.
The angel's message to the shepherds is the same for us today:
"Fear not! For I bring you good news of great joy."
Isaiah’s promise still stands for us today: "The redeemed of the Lord will return with joy." Imagine the Israelites—after 49 days of captivity, tortured and oppressed—finally being ransomed. The joy on their faces was indescribable because they had truly experienced the depths of suffering.
Salvation is like that. You only grasp its magnitude when you understand the weight of your sin. That’s why the angels came to the shepherds—they understood the depth of human sinfulness.
The Cost of Sin and the Joy of Redemption
Sin carries a penalty, and that penalty is God’s judgment. Consider the story of Jam Asahd, a man imprisoned for 40 years. When he was suddenly pardoned by the Sultan of Johor in 2023, the joy on his face was undeniable. Would he have felt the same if he had only been imprisoned for a month? Likely not. The longer the suffering, the deeper the joy of redemption.
In Iran, a man who was forgiven by the family of the person he murdered was so overwhelmed with joy that he had a heart attack and died. His pardon was meaningless because he could no longer enjoy his new freedom.
But James speaks of a joy that is different—a joy that is undiminished by life’s trials:
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)
The phrase "count it all joy" means that joy should be the leading thought in your life. We all experience fear, sadness, and pain, but we are called to let joy take precedence in our minds.
Faith and Joy: A Chess Grandmaster’s Perspective
This is Gukesh Damaraju, a chess grandmaster. Grandmasters can think 15 to 20 moves ahead. In chess, you sometimes sacrifice major pieces—a rook, a knight, even your queen—because you see the bigger picture.
A great player like Magnus Carlsen can lose a piece and still smile because he knows the final outcome.
That is what faith is.
Faith looks at life through the lens of the Gospel. Though we may feel anger, sadness, and frustration, when we see the world through God’s eyes, we recognize that even the events causing us pain are shaping us into God’s perfect image.
The Message of Christmas: Fearless Joy
I want to close with a picture of a little angel—Vanessa. Life is difficult and painful. But because of Christ’s birth 2,000 years ago, Vanessa can face the world fearlessly, filled with mega joy.
This is my prayer for all of you: That the Holy Spirit will cast out your fear and replace it with joy.
You cannot remove fear on your own. You cannot manufacture true joy. You must make room in your heart for Jesus. If you do, one day, like Vanessa, you will stand on the stage of life and sing, dance, and live in a way that glorifies God.
Choose Whom You Will Serve
Joshua 24:15 says:
"If it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
But there’s more. The Israelites made a decision to serve God, but Joshua also said:
"Put away the foreign gods that are among you and incline your heart to the Lord."
It is not enough to call yourself a Christian or attend a Christmas service. You must incline your heart toward God.
John Piper says:
"Christian joy is a good feeling of the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as He causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the Word and in the world."
A Call to Seek True Joy
If you want fearless joy, not just fleeting happiness, I invite you to join us in Alpha. It’s a journey where we learn together, wrestle with our faith, and see the beauty of Christ.
If Christmas is the only time you come to church and you still feel empty, it’s because you haven’t yet seen the beauty of Christ. That beauty is revealed in His Word.
Let’s pray:
"Father, we thank You for Christmas. You came 2,000 years ago, and though many did not receive You, those who did were given the right to become children of God. May this truth be our reality and our joy. To You be the glory, majesty, dominion, and authority—now and forevermore. Amen."
