Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The Theme of JOY this Christmas

a) A Valid Theme

b) A Valuable Theme

2. The Need for JOY

a) A human need

b) A Life without Joy

i) Meaningless

ii) Maddening

THE PROMISE OF JOY

1. The promise of the Angel Gabriel to Zacharias

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.”   Luke 1:13-14

2. Wherein may Joy be found?

a) In answered prayer

“Your prayer is heard”   Luke 1:13a

b) In having a son

“Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son”   Luke 1:13b

3. Who will find this Joy?

a) Zacharias

b) Elizabeth

c) Many more will rejoice at his birth

NORMAL JOY IN SEEING A SON SUCCEED

1. In School

2. In getting a good job

3. In marriage

4. In having a family

SPECIAL JOY OF ZACHARIAS IN HIS SON JOHN

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
To give knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.   Luke 1:76-80

1. John will be called “The prophet of the Highest”   (Luke 1:76a)

a) A special servant of God

b) A high honour in being a prophet of God

2. John’s Ministry Described

a) He will go before the Lord to prepare His ways

b) To give knowledge of salvation to His people

c) By the remission of their sins

3. The Greater Ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) He is like the Dayspring   (Luke 1:78)

b) He will give light   (Luke 1:79)

i) To those who sit in darkness

ii) To those who sit in the shadow of death

iii) To guide our feet into the way of peace

SPECIAL JOY THIS CHRISTMAS

1. JOY in:

a) The Knowledge of Salvation

b) In getting out of darkness into the Light

c) In getting out of the shadow of death into the way of peace

2. JOY can be:

a) Personal

b) Precious

c) Powerfully life-changing