2018--12-23 -- the Light of Christmas -- Let His JOY

In the WORD Dennis McConnaughhay In your HEART… December 23rd, 2018 A.D. In your LIFE… [email protected] for your personal study Let His JOY Shine and LIFE group discussion… Luke 2:1-20 previous messages - prcconline.com Join Dennis on Facebook Podcasts Be sure to listen to the weekly messages for the first time or to listen again by going to prcconline.com what gives you JOY at Christmas?

Joyful memories of Christmas ______What are some of your favorite Christmas Memories? Take time to share those memories with others. ______your SAD list… We all have those things that make us sad right now. Make a list of Jesus is the LIGHT of Christmas! some of those things. Take time to pray through what makes you sad. John 8:12 -- …"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Jesus is MY Joy! Make your GLAD list including HOW Jesus gives you MEGA-Joy. Why is Jesus the source of real Joy? Take this GLAD list and lay it Luke 2:1-20 (pages 732 or 949) over your SAD list, giving God praise for ALL that He has done in giving you everlasting Joy. Luke 2:10-11 - 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. 11 For Pray for One unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ Be intentional about praying for your “one” this week. How can you the Lord. share the Joy of Christmas with them this week?

I choose Joy Let His JOY shine in us and through us! What do you need to think about and do in choosing Joy each day? It may be helpful to make a list of your reasons for Joy in the Lord. great joy = MEGA joy sharing my Joy what happened changed everything! What are specific ways you can share the Joy of Jesus with others this week. Consider each day and each relational encounter. How can I don’t get so wrapped up in the gifts that you miss THE GIFT express my Joy in each? don’t let the spending of Christmas… JESUS = “the Lord SAVES” …the speed of Christmas …the stress of Christmas this was God’s PLAN from the very beginning steal your Joy in Christmas John 3:16–17 — 16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His Christmas is God showing us the Greatest Love only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have giving us the Greatest Gift eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to making the Greatest Sacrifice condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” meeting our Greatest Need giving us the Hope Greatest Jesus was born to DIE bringing us the Greatest Joy He was given TO us and He gave His life FOR us Happiness is determined by what’s HAPPENING God gave us what we needed most everyday we’re writing our GLAD list… and NOT what we most deserved everyday we’re writing our SAD list… to save us, Jesus became one of us and He died for all of us JOY is MORE than what’s happening more than anything else… our joy is not determined by WHAT… …we need a Savior our joy is defined by WHO in our greatest need, God gave us a Savior this JOY is in JESUS! …there is JOY!

Jesus is MORE than… this joy is meant to be shared what matters most is NOT let His Joy shine THROUGH you… what’s happening TO me or what’s happening AROUND me what matters most is what’s happening IN me the best gift we could ever give to anyone is THE GIFT God gave us Jesus is the JOY of Christmas

Matthew 1: 20-21 -- 20 …”Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, 21 the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." Isaiah 9:6