A Merry Rest

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This is a message delivered on the third Sunday of Advent on the theme of Joy and Peace. The title is taken from the Christmas Carol, "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen."

Written Excerpts:

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 4:8 (NKJV) I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Introduction:

For our message today, I am again using the lessons and themes from the Advent candles as the basis for the message. Today, I am going to be combining two different themes; the theme of joy from today’s lesson, and the theme of peace from next Sunday’s lesson. (Because I won’t actually be preaching next week due to the Christmas Cantata presentation.)

It is always an interesting challenge to think of a sermon title that adequately provides a hint regarding the content of the sermon, and serves to initiate a certain level of curiosity in the minds of the hearers in order to “tune in” to what is coming. You might have guessed already, but the idea for today’s title again comes from a well-known Christmas song, “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen,” which is listed as our closing song today.

If you are like me, you may have misunderstood the meaning of this song title your entire life. It was only a few years ago that I heard someone explain why the comma appears after the word “Merry” in that song title. It is because the word “merry” (which is an adjective) does not modify the noun “Gentlemen” as many people assume. The word actually qualifies the kind of “Rest” that is being wished for.

The song is not expressing a wish for happy gentlemen to have some rest. Rather, it is expressing a wish for some gentlemen to have a happy rest. Some of you probably just now said to yourselves, “Huh?” In other words, if we were to reconstruct the title into a sentence that would make more sense to us today, it would read like this, “[May] God [give] you a merry rest, gentlemen.”

As I pondered the distinction and the true meaning of the sentence as it is structured, I came to the conclusion that this phrase truly does combine the themes of joy and peace, which are represented by the Advent candles for today and next Sunday. Therefore, I am speaking to you today on the combined topics of joy and peace and, in doing so, I hope to explain the meaning of a merry rest.

Transition: I believe that genuine peace mixed with joy is a state that can only be acquired from God.

With the help of God’s Spirit, I want to provide some insights from the Word of God that relate to the state of peaceful joy or a “merry rest.”

I. Definitions of Key Words

As I often do in my sermons, I want to begin by defining some of the prominent words we will be using.

A. Joy

(The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) The idea of joy is expressed in the Old Testament by a wealth of synonymous terms that cannot easily be differentiated. The most common is [a Hebrew word found in] (1 Samuel 18:6), [that is] variously translated in English Versions of the Bible [as] "joy," "gladness," or "mirth"; [and is thought to stem] from [another Hebrew term meaning], "to be bright," "to shine" (as we read in Proverbs 13:9, "The light of the righteous rejoiceth," literally, "is bright"), but generally used figuratively "to rejoice," "be glad".

[Sometimes when we use the phrase, “She is a bright girl.” We mean that she is intelligent, but sometimes we simply mean that she is happy and merry; there is a brightness that accompanies her wherever she goes.]

“Other [words used to express the concept of joy] are "to spring," "leap;" "shouting;" "to go in a circle," hence, "be excited" (dancing round for joy).

As you see, these words describe the actions of joy. If we have true joy in our hearts it is likely to find expression somehow in our actions.

(Theo. Dict. of the New Testament: Abridged in One Volume.) “Philo, [Hellenistic Jewish-Greek philosopher] relates joy to religious “intoxication.” Joy is a supreme “good mood.” It is the opposite of fear [dread].

“In the NT chaírō is the secular term and agalliáomai the religious term, but the two may be synonymous (cf. Rev. 19:7), and they are associated, e.g., in Matthew 5:12 (NKJV) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.; 1 Peter 4:13 (NKJV) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

 “In Christ, the Christian "rejoices with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8), in spite of his temporary afflictions (1 Peter 1:6). Christian joy is no mere gaiety that knows no gloom, but is the result of the triumph of faith over adverse and trying circumstances, which, instead of hindering, actually enhance it.

(See Acts 5:41 (NKJV) So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.  and

1 Peter 4:13 (NKJV) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. and

Matthew 5:11-12 (NKJV) Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.)

B. Peace

(The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.) In the Old Testament: [Peace] Is a condition of freedom from disturbance, whether outwardly, as of a nation from war or enemies, or inwardly, within the soul.  The Hebrew word is shālōm, meaning, primarily, "soundness," "health," but coming also to signify "prosperity," well-being in general, all good in relation to both man and God.

(Theo. Dict. of the New Testament: Abridged in One Volume.) “The Greek Concept of eirḗnē. “For the [secular] Greeks eirḗnē primarily denotes a state, not a relationship or attitude. It is the opposite of pólemos (“war”). It is linked with treaties of peace or the conclusion of peace. It is also the opposite of disturbance. In a negative sense, it may denote a peaceful attitude, i.e., the absence of hostile feelings.

“The main meaning in the NT is obviously not the Greek one but salvation in a deeper sense. This embraces human concord, but also peace with God. [There are a few references where the mere absence of war or conflict is the meaning] and [also] Paul’s use for peace of soul (cf. Romans 15:13 (NKJV) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.)

In the material use of the NT we find peace as a feeling of rest, peace as a state of reconciliation with God, and peace as [end-times] salvation….”

C. Rest

Dr. Tan (Prof. at Fuller Theo. Sem.), quotes from another source when he relates the three Hebrew words used in the OT to describe rest. One word (Sabat) is the Hebrew word for Sabbath, meaning to stop or cease from work and activity. The second word (Nuah) means to settle down with no more movement but with a sense of inner ease or security. The final word (Saqat) carries the idea of tranquility and absence of inner anxiety and external pressure. (Rest, Siang-Yang Tan, p.23)

Dr. Tan goes on in his book to discuss four types of rest: physical, emotional, relational and spiritual. He concludes that “because the four are inter-related, our eventual experience of rest is a holistic one, integrating all types of rest as the shalom or peace of God.” (Ibid, p.32)

Here he has made the connection that I believe is an obvious one – genuine rest is inseparable from the peace of God.

II. The Source of Joy and Peace

(Theo. Dict. of the N. T.: Abridged in One Vol.)

A. For Paul, joy is connected to faith (Phil. 1:25)

Philippians 1:25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,

B. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

C. Joy is found in the Lord (Phil. 3:1).

Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

D. Joy is connected to hope and hope is focused on future salvation.

Romans 15:13 (NKJV) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 (Theo. Dict. of the N. T.: Abridged in One Vol.) “… when restoration of paradise is prophesied, international peace promised (Isa. 2:2ff.), or a humble king of peace awaited (Zech. 9:9-10), we have a proclamation of peace of the widest possible significance.”

John 16:22 (NKJV) Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

In other words, the thought and expectation of the second coming of Christ, and the initiation of His eternal reign of righteousness brings both a sense of peace and joy to the believer.

E. Peace also is clearly found in a deep connection to God.

Isaiah 26:3 (KJV) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

“stayed” – lean on; rest; stand fast.

Dear friends, if you want to live in constant worry, turmoil and dread, then let your mind rest on the events and news of the day, but if you want to have peace and comfort and rest, then fix your mind on God and trust in Him.

III. The Expression of Joy and Peace

Practically speaking I see the believer giving the expression of joy and peace in a number of ways.

Communicating Joy and Peace in my speech. Does my conversation and speech convey the joy and peace that I have found by resting in the Lord?

Communicating joy and peace in my attitudes. Do my attitudes express a confidence in God that exhibits the joy of the Lord?

Communicating joy and peace in my actions. Are my actions witnessing to an inner peace and rest that rejoices in the God of my salvation?

Conclusion:

I’ve tried to imagine in my mind what a visual image or picture of “a merry rest” might look like.

Imagine that it is dark outside. It is not only dark because it is the middle of the night, but it is dark morally. The political and social environment is riddled with vice and moral evil. There is suspicion and intrigue in the halls of the kingdom and the political powers. Even in the religious world, it has been hundreds of years since a true prophet of the Lord has proclaimed any message of hope or salvation.

On this particular night there is a greater than usual amount of commotion. Travelers are everywhere. The tyrannical rulers have ordered everyone to make the trek to towns and regions of their ancestors to be counted and registered for a census, undoubtedly for the imposition of another tax.

Because of this decree from the top, people are jamming even the small towns that normally would be quite and sparsely populated. Every house is full of relatives who had to come from distances. The public places for lodging are overflowing; every “nook and cranny” is taken up with a body, a crate, or a beast.

There is constant bleating of sheep, braying of donkeys or crowing of roosters. Wives are trying to get their husbands to listen again as they tell them where to find the corn meal. Men are laughing and talking about the dangers they escaped on the journey, as well as describing what they would like to do to the emperor if they could get their hands on him.

Some of the crowd are taking advantage of the upheaval to drink heavily from the jugs of wine. Tempers flare, cursing and fighting breaks out. Soldiers step in to quell the situation before it gets totally out of hand.

On the edge of the small town there is a cave that shelters the animals owned by the proprietor of the public inn. Even there, restlessness invades the atmosphere. The livestock in the stalls stamp their feet nervously. The sheep bleat and oxen respond with bellows as they all sense the tenseness in the air.

In the corner of the cave, there is a feed box filled with hay and there is a man, a woman and some grimy shepherds gathered around it looking, and gazing, but saying nothing.

As we look over their shoulders to discover the object of their stares, we see him. The baby, wrapped tightly in bands of cloths and he is asleep. There may even be a slight upward curve of his lips that certainly looks like a smile to the loving parents looking on.

This, my friends, describes a merry rest.

Our world is certainly full of all kinds of turmoil and evil that we can’t even describe. (We got another glimpse of evil this week in Connecticut with the “Sandy Hook School shooting.”)

But, while we are surrounded on all sides with the commotion and turmoil of the world, God wants to give us a merry rest. He wants to fill us with joy and peace that we will recognize as divinely inspired.

“God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen” (and ladies).