Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Celebrating Christmas

a. Personal joy

i. Valid

b. Joy of celebrating with family

i. Also valid

ii. To be appreciated

2. But there is an even deeper joy to be found

a. It is a joy that is spiritual

b. It comes when we understand and relate to God better

3. Two truths about God that rejoice the heart

a. God has visited us   (Luke 1:68)

b. God has redeemed us

TRUTHS ABOUT GOD THAT REJOICE THE HEART

“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people”   Luke 1:68

1. God has visited His people

a. Meaning of the word “visit”

i. God looks upon His people

ii. He sees and knows what they go through

iii. He comes to them specially to help them

b. In the history of Israel

i. God did not visit His people “regularly”

ii. He did so at special times

iii. He did so for special reasons

c. At that first Christmas

i. God visited His people once more

ii. This time, He dwelt among His people

iii. He did so through Christ, who is “God with us”   (cf. Matthew 1:23)

2. God visits to redeem

a. The purpose of God’s visit is to redeem

b. In the history of Israel, God redeemed His people time and again

i. From slavery

ii. From their enemies

iii. From oppression, suffering, difficult circumstances

c. At that first Christmas, God offered redemption to the world

i. He offered redemption from sin and death

ii. He sent a Redeemer to accomplish redemption

iii. Christ Jesus would give His life for our redemption

RESPONDING WELL TO GOD

1. Appreciate

a. God

b. The Lord Jesus

2. Relate

a. Relate to the Lord concerning your challenges

b. He visits in order to redeem

c. He is there to help us