Sermons

NEWS OF GREAT JOY

Joy is an important part of God’s Christmas message.

(Luke 2:8-10) In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

1. Joy is GOOD

A. God WANTS us to experience joy!

(Isaiah 55:11-12) “My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and will prosper in what I send it to do.” You will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided; the mountains and the hills will break into singing before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

B. God TELLS us to experience joy!

(Psalm 98:4-8) Shout to the Lord, all the earth; be jubilant, shout for joy, and sing. Sing to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and melodious song. With trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn shout triumphantly in the presence of the Lord, our King. Let the sea and all that fills it, the world and those who live in it, resound. Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains shout together for joy.

2. Joy is GREAT

A. This joy breaks all records.

(10) “I proclaim to you good news of GREAT joy.”

B. This joy fills all hungering.

C. This joy mends all hearts.

D. This joy restores all hope.

3. Joy Was GRANTED

A. Great joy would not exist had it not been for Jesus.

B. Sin is the one thing that prevents great joy.

C. Only Jesus can remove sin and replace it with great joy.

(Matthew 1:21) “She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

(Psalm 51:8-9 & 12) Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt… Restore the joy of Your salvation to me.

(John 10:10) “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.”