Gateway Visalia
Advent: Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas
Pastor Lance Ainsworth December 12th & 15th, 2024 Luke 2:8-20 Joy
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:00 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
Introduction:
Luke 2:8-20 NASB
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Joy is a GIFT.
I have joy (chara) because of God’s grace (charis), so I rejoice. (chairo)
Proverbs 17:22 NASB
A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 NASB
A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Joy is for ALL people.
12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Joy is RELATIONAL.
Galatians 3:13 NASB
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—
Galatians 3:13 NASB
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—
Jesus became the curse to break us from the curse of sin.
Ecclesiastes 8:15 NASB
So I commended pleasure (joy), for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 8:15 NASB
So I commended pleasure (joy), for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.
15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
Joy is CONTAGIOUS.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB
Rejoice always . . . for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB
Rejoice always . . . for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Advent: Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas
Luke 2:8-20
December 12
Joy.
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: What’s the funniest Christmas present you have ever been given?
Read Aloud: Luke 2:8-20
1. v.10 “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;” How does joy correlate with grace in your life? Read Ps. 51:12, how can our joy be restored?
2. v.14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Read. Hebrews 11:6. What role does faith play in having a relationship with God? Do you view salvation as transactional or relational? Or both? Why? Eccl. 8:15 tells us to enjoy our relationships on earth while we toil. How can we enjoy the relationships God has given us this Christmas season?
3. v.20 “The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.” Do those in your proximity see joy in your life? How can we spread joy in this Christmas season?
Luke 2:8-20
December 12
Joy.
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: What’s the funniest Christmas present you have ever been given?
Read Aloud: Luke 2:8-20
1. v.10 “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;” How does joy correlate with grace in your life? Read Ps. 51:12, how can our joy be restored?
2. v.14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Read. Hebrews 11:6. What role does faith play in having a relationship with God? Do you view salvation as transactional or relational? Or both? Why? Eccl. 8:15 tells us to enjoy our relationships on earth while we toil. How can we enjoy the relationships God has given us this Christmas season?
3. v.20 “The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.” Do those in your proximity see joy in your life? How can we spread joy in this Christmas season?