God's Joy

Good News • Week 4

The word "joy" is mentioned over 200 times in the Bible, but it's only written as "Great Joy" a few. Adam Barnett looks at the story of the shepherds in Luke 2 and reminds us to react to the Good News of Great Joy as they did: sharing what we've heard and seen about Jesus.

LISTEN

MESSAGE NOTES

God's Joy
December 26, 2021 • Good News • Week 4
Teacher: Adam Barnett

Luke 2:8-12 NIV

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Christmas is not normal joy. Christmas is great joy.

Luke 2:13–18 NIV

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Joseph Bailey //

Praise God for Christmas. Praise him for the incarnation, for the Word made flesh. Today, I will sing praise to the Father who stood on heaven’s threshold and said farewell to his Son as he stepped across the stars to Bethlehem and Jerusalem. And I will sing praise to the infinite, eternal Son, who became most finite, a baby who would one day be executed for my crime. Praise him in the heavens. Praise him in the stable. Praise him in my heart.

Good NewsAdam Barnett