great joy luke 2:8-12 p.945. welcome sunday school pageant: “christmas is about god’s love,...

Great JoyLuke 2:8-12

p.945

Welcome

• Sunday School Pageant: “Christmas is about God’s love, hope, and

peace that comes from knowing Jesus.” • Let’s add JOY to that list!• There is Great Joy in knowing Jesus as Lord

and Saviour. • I invite you to enter into the story with me.

1. The God of Everyday People

Shepherds •"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.“ (v.8)•Everyday people: shepherds•Imagine that we are shepherds in Bethlehem•Join me as we step into the role!


Shepherds •our job is lonely and lowly, but respectable •a shepherd brings to mind notable patriarchs, prophets, and kings; even God himself (Ps. 23)•David, a shepherd long before he was king•from his line, a Messiah will come•We sure could use a mighty king like David!


Shepherds •threats to livelihood: thieves and wild animals•flocks near Jerusalem used at the Temple

•thanks for joining in the story so far!•God will reveal something extraordinary to an ordinary group of people


The Glory of the Lord•“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” (v.9)•let’s reverse roles here…•place those shepherds in the middle of the golf course late at night •dark, then flood lights overwhelm their eyes


The Glory of the Lord•perhaps the glory of the Lord had a similar effect, but far more powerful•this is not only a physical sensory overload for them, it is also spiritual•“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” (Isaiah 9:2)


The Glory of the Lord•How true for these shepherds? How true for the people of Israel? How true for us?•When the Light of the Lord shines on the deepest, darkest places of our hearts and minds, it unveils in us a profound awareness of an imperfect creature before a Holy God. •Image of a candle (wax, wick, transformation)


The Glory of the Lord•messenger appears + God’s glory = great fear!•Zechariah and Mary experience the same fear (1:12, 29)The Announcement, Part 1•“But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of Great Joy that will be for all the people.” (v.10)


The Announcement, Part 1•The announcement begins with the angel calming the shepherd’s fear, as was the case with Zechariah and Mary (1:13, 30).•By His grace, the obstacle of fear is removed. God longs to interact with his people.•Fear is a reality: conflict and pain are real.•Jesus himself experienced conflict and pain.


The Announcement, Part 1•trouble in this life, causes sadness and sorrow•Let us remember:– those in our community – a weeping world

•Let us also remember a loving God:– He cares for the widow and the orphan– He longs to see his creation restored– He loves to share His message of hope , peace, joy

2. Good News of Great Joy

Joy Ads•we are all well acquainted with joy •our favourite companies are quite confident their products possess the joy we long for


Joy Ads•where our true ‘source of joy’ stems from•It’s not in the products we purchase, but in the Person we praise. •praises for a king who came humbly to his people, as a baby ‘wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger’•He is the one who is worthy of our praise.


Surface Joy•the joy of spending quality time with family•the joy of singing our favourite carols •the joy of decorating a Christmas tree•the joy of giving and receiving gifts•These joys are more meaningful than physical things, but they are all ‘surface joy’.


Surface Joy•These are not bad things!•it is good to ‘share the joy’ with those we love•community can be integral in our lives •it can truly bring us joy•But is there more to joy than the joy I’ve been describing so far?


Heaven’s Joy• “Since this joy is expressly associated with the glory of God…we may be quite clear that it is a pure and holy joy. No other would an angel have proclaimed, and, indeed, no other joy is joy.”•“Holy joy is the joy of heaven, and that, be ye sure, is the very of cream of joy.” (C.H. Spurgeon)


Heaven’s Joy•God is love (1 John 4:8)•Joy is second only to love (Gal. 5:22)•Joy OF the Lord and FROM the Lord.


The Joy of the Lord•Psalms - a great collection of poetry, prayer, and praise •King David proclaims the Lord as his source of strength and joy: •“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” (Psalm 28:7)


The Joy of the Lord•Later on in the Old Testament…•people of Israel returned from exile in Babylon•rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem•grieved at the reading of the Law as they considered their offences against it•Nehemiah encourages them


The Joy of the Lord•“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)•That’s our God! The one who lifts our heads and refreshes our hearts.


The Joy of the Lord•the people of God are called to find strength in the joy of the Lord•they are also called to find joy in the trials of life•“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,

whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)


My Joy•Clean things = joy•Drawing near to God = Great Joy•“Cleaning House” Spiritually = Greater Joy•“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)


The Greatest Joy•“Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (v.11)•The greatest joy is to those who know Christ as Saviour.•What is a Saviour? And why do we need one?•Story of the Lifeguard…


The Greatest Joy•we can’t save ourselves•salvation is a gift to those who have faith in Jesus Christ•“…the great deeps, the great fathomless deeps of solemn joy which glisten and sparkle with delight, are for such as know the Saviour, obey the anointed one, and have communion with the Lord himself.” (C.H. Spurgeon)

3. Right Responses

Heaven’s Response•praise and worshipThe Shepherd’s Response•spreading the newsOur Response•sharing the ‘good news of great joy’

great joy luke 2:8-12 p.945. welcome sunday school pageant: “christmas is about god’s love,...

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