Message Notes

HOW MAY DIVINE JOY BE DESCRIBED?

1. Gladness of heart   (Psalm 4:7)

The words of King David

2. Exceedingly great joy   (Matthew 2:10)

The wise men

3. Joy inexpressible and full of glory   (1 Peter 1:8)

DIFFERENT WAYS DIFFERENT PEOPLE DISCOVERED JOY

1. Different people and different ways

a) Elizabeth and Zacharias

i) The gift of a baby boy

ii) The visit of Mary

b) Mary

i) The privilege of being chosen to be the mother of Jesus

ii) Inspiration and revelation of God’s plan of salvation

c) Zacharias

i) Faith restored

ii) Special revelation given to him concerning God’s plan of salvation

d) Wise Men

i) Seeing the star of Bethlehem

ii) Comprehension of the royal birth of Jesus

e) The shepherds

i) Angelic manifestation

ii) Confirmation of the word of the angel concerning the birth of Jesus

THE GREAT JOY OF CHRISTMAS

1. Of faith in God

a) His love for the world

b) His plan for salvation

c) Of His fulfilling all that He has promised

2. Of salvation in Christ

a) As the Saviour

b) As the King of our life

c) As the Light of the world

3. Of life-changing hope

a) Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ

b) Through salvation by faith in Him

c) Through a special work that God commences in the believer

THE PROMISE OF GREAT JOY TO THE WORLD

1. No need to feel hopeless and helpless

2. No need to grope in darkness

3. No need to be gripped by fear and anxiety

4. God offers great joy to all who would place their faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ