Great Joy
Great joy for all people
Luke 2:10-12 NLT
10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
I. The Joy of the Lord fills us with excitement
Philippians 4:4 NLT 4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
1 Peter 1:8-9 NLT You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
Habakkuk 3:18 NLT yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
II. The Joy of the Lord overcomes life’s difficulties
James 1:2-4 NLT Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Romans 5:3-5 NLT We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
III. The Joy of the Lord fills us with Hope
Romans 15:13 NLT I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 is a powerful benediction emphasizing hope, joy, and peace through faith in God. The verse calls God the “God of hope,” highlighting that true hope comes from Him alone. This hope is not mere wishful thinking but a profound assurance rooted in God’s promises and presence through the Holy Spirit. Believers are encouraged to abound in hope, which empowers them to face life’s challenges with confidence and joy, transcending circumstances. This hope also fosters unity among believers, enabling them to live harmoniously and glorify God together.
Luke 2:10-12 NLT
10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
I. The Joy of the Lord fills us with excitement
Philippians 4:4 NLT 4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
1 Peter 1:8-9 NLT You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
Habakkuk 3:18 NLT yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
II. The Joy of the Lord overcomes life’s difficulties
James 1:2-4 NLT Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Romans 5:3-5 NLT We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
III. The Joy of the Lord fills us with Hope
Romans 15:13 NLT I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 is a powerful benediction emphasizing hope, joy, and peace through faith in God. The verse calls God the “God of hope,” highlighting that true hope comes from Him alone. This hope is not mere wishful thinking but a profound assurance rooted in God’s promises and presence through the Holy Spirit. Believers are encouraged to abound in hope, which empowers them to face life’s challenges with confidence and joy, transcending circumstances. This hope also fosters unity among believers, enabling them to live harmoniously and glorify God together.