1. The Light of Joy
Finding Joy in the Message of Hope
How Light Entered the Mundane and Brought Joy

2. Luke 2:8
And in the same region there were
shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over
their flock by night.
The Setting: Bethlehem, City of David, Work,
Night, Darkness, Fatigue, Anxiety, Sin,
400 Years of Silence

3. Then There Was
Light

4. How the Message of Light Created Joy
Luke 2:9
And an angel of the Lord appeared to
them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were filled with great fear.
Angel of the Lord – Silence was broken
Glory of the Lord – Faith became sight
They were filled – Minds were overcome
Great Fear – Hearts were awakened

5. How the Message of Light Created Joy
Luke 2:10 And
the angel said to them, “Fear not, for
behold, I bring you good news of great joy that
will be for all the people.
Fear not – God’s love removed fear
Good news – God’s love spoke hope
Great joy – God’s love brought joy
All people – God’s love was limitless

6. How the Message of Light Created Joy
Luke 2:11 For
unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Savior – God’s Anointed Deliverer
Unto You is born – Savior was Personal
Born this Day – Savior was Immediate
City of David – Savior was Prophetic
Christ – Savior was The Anointed
The Lord – Savior was Above All

7. How the Message of Light Created Joy
Luke 2:12
And this will be a sign for you: you will
find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths
and lying in a manger.
A Baby – Savior was Human
Swaddling Cloths – Savior was wrapped in Death
Lying in a Manger – Savior was Humble

8. How the Message of Light Created Joy
Luke 2:13 And
suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God and saying…
A Multitude – Savior caused Heaven to Rejoice
Praising God – Savior invoked Praise to God

9. The Song of Battle
Luke 2:14 “Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth
peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
This song is a defiant shout against all corrupting
darkness that caused God’s Glory to dim and His
creation to die in His wrath.
Light Restored God’s Joy

10. Darkness Returned but
the Light Remained
The Shepherds Acted on the Information
They Found the Manger and Worshipped
Luke 2:20 And
the shepherds returned, glorifying
and praising God for all they had heard and seen,
as it had been told them.
Their Situation Stayed the Same – But Their Lives
Changed Because of the Message of Light

11. Truth about Joy
Joy is an Elation Based in Hope
Joy is Rooted in Truth
Joy is Disciplined Praise
Joy is not Rooted in Circumstances –
Instead it is Rooted in God’s Provision

12. Randy Alcorn said, “Gratitude never comes from
avoiding difficulty, but from finding yourself
sustained through it. The degree of joy rises to
the degree of gratitude, and the level of
gratitude corresponds to the level of God’s grace
experienced in our suffering. God’s sustaining
providence brings relief, even when life becomes
unspeakably difficult.”
http://www.epm.org/blog/2011/Jan/3/sustained-through-gratitude

14. Charles Spurgeon said, “Never neglect your
spiritual meals, or you will lack stamina and your
spirits will sink. Live on the substantial doctrines
of grace, and you will outlive and out-work those
who delight in the pastry and syllabubs
of ‘modern thought’.”
A Marvelous Ministry, pp. 46-47.; http://www.founders.org/journal/fj23/article1.html

15. The Light of Joy
Finding Joy in the Message of Hope
How Light Entered the Mundane and Brought Joy