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You Will Have Joy and Gladness

Text: Luke 1:1-22
4 November 2018

THE PROMISE OF JOY

1. To those with no joy

a. The promise was given to Zacharias
b. A priest well advanced in years   (Luke 1:7)
c. No children as his wife Elizabeth was barren   (Luke 1:7)
d. There was no joy in their life

2. The giving of the promise of joy

“And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth”   Luke 1:14
a. The promise of a son   (Luke 1:13)
b. The promise of personal joy and gladness   (Luke 1:14)
i. Joy in the presence of an angel
“Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him”   Luke 1:11
ii. Joy in God’s answer
“But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard;”   Luke 1:13
iii. Joy in God’s mercy
c. The promise to the many who will rejoice at his birth   (Luke 1:14)

GOD’S PART IN HIS GREAT PLAN OF JOY

1. God’s part in John’s life

a. The Holy Spirit will fill him…even from his mother’s womb
“He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.”   Luke 1:15
b. The power of God will be involved in his life
“He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah”   Luke 1:17

2. God’s plan is for John to be great in the sight of God   (Luke 1:15)

a. He will live righteously   (Luke 1:15)
b. He will turn many of the children of Israel to God   (Luke 1:16)
c. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children   (Luke 1:17)
d. He will turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the just   (Luke 1:17)
e. He will prepare the way for the Lord   (Luke 1:17)

3. The joyous effect of the part of God

a. The spread of the joy of the Lord Jesus
b. Through the work of the Holy Spirit
c. From Zacharias to the many of the children of Israel

THE DELAY OF JOY

1. Because of the unbelief of Zacharias

“How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”   Luke 1:18
a. He questioned the promise given by the angel
b. He reasoned that both his wife and him are well advanced in age
c. Elizabeth would not be able to conceive and bear a son
d. The angel Gabriel revealed his unbelief
“Because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”   Luke 1:20
e. The problem of unbelief was always there

2. The delay of joy

a. The promise was meant to be an announcement of joy
“And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.”   Luke 1:19
b. There was a delay in joy
“But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place,”   Luke 1:20

THE EXPERIENCE OF JOY FINALLY

1. Experiencing personal joy finally

a. It would be 9 months later before Zacharias would be able to find joy
b. He was able to speak again and sought to give praise to the Lord   (Luke 1:64)

2. Lessons that must be learned

a. Let us appreciate that the promise of joy in the Lord is meant to be extended to all
b. Let us exercise faith in the Lord and His word
c. Let us experience the joy and gladness in the Lord this Christmas