Series: A Center Pointe Christmas
Luke 2:8-13 NKJV
December 1, 2024
Pastor Ted Pagel Jr.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Luke 2:8-13 NKJV
“A merry heart does good like medicine.” Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV)
There is a vast difference between joy and happiness:
Happiness is
Happiness is
C. S. Lewis said: “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
“In his presence there is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11
“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in you; let them ever shout
for joy, because you defend them; let those also who love your name
be joyful in you.” Psalm 5:11
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and
that your joy may be full.” John 15:11
5 Places We Find Joy:
1. There Is Joy In
“Though now you do not see him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith-the
salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9
“Therefore, with joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
Isaiah 12:3 (NKJV)
7 Benefits of Salvation:
All your
“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with
one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all
sin.” 1 John 1:7 (NKJV)
You become a part of the
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become
children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not
of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God”
John 1:12-13 (NKJV)
You are
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according
to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance
incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in
heaven for you,” 1 Peter 1:3-4 (NKJV)
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I
am, there you may be also.” John 14:2-3 (NKJV)
You have a
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another [a] Helper, that
He may abide with you forever.” John 14:16 (NKJV)
You receive
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting
life.” John 6:47 (NKJV)
“And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” John 11:26
(NKJV)
God
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love
God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans
8:28 (NKJV)
God
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything
according to His will, He hears us. And if we know He hears us,
whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have
asked of Him.” 1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)
2. There Is Joy In
“Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the
Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to
Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:.” 1 Peter 1:2 (NIV)
And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow
the LORD will do wonders among you.” Joshua 3:5 (NKJV)
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” Psalm 51:12 (NKJV)
3. There Is Joy In
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him,
bears much fruit.” John 15:5 (NKJV)
4. There Is Joy In
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you
have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith,
being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested
by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of
Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NKJV)
“I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.” 2 Corinthians 7:4 (NKJV)
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” James
1:2 (NKJV)
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to
be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans
8:18 (NKJV)
5. There Is Joy In
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable, to God, which is
your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1 (NKJV)
“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
because it is written, “be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NKJV)