LUKE 2:10-14 (KJV)10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

FIRST CHRISTMAS

Discovering what God meant Christmas to beThree words that Angels declared

FIRST CHRISTMAS

Discovering what God meant Christmas to beThree words that Angels declared– Joy

FIRST CHRISTMAS

Discovering what God meant Christmas to beThree words that Angels declared– Joy–Peace

FIRST CHRISTMAS

Discovering what God meant Christmas to beThree words that Angels declared– Joy–Peace–Good Will

Four Main Sources of Joy

• People

Four Main Sources of Joy

• People • Possessions

Four Main Sources of Joy

• People • Possessions• Places

Four Main Sources of Joy

• People • Possessions• Places• Position

Four Main Sources of Joy

• People • Possessions• Places• Position

These are limited, finite, temporary and imperfect

2 Corinthians 1:8-9

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death…

2 Corinthians 7:4b

…I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Luke 6:22-23

Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven…

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit

Joy in God is rooted in

• God’s Love for us

Joy in God is rooted in

• God’s Love for us• God’s Purpose for us

Joy in God is rooted in

• God’s Love for us• God’s Purpose for us• God’s Hope for us

My hope is built

My hope is built

1. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. Refrain:On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.

My hope is built

2. When Darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.

My hope is built

3. His oath, his covenant, his blood supports me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay.

My hope is built

4. When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found! Dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne!