JOY TO THE WORLD
From The HeartPublish date: 12/20/2015
Foundation Scriptures:
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Luke 1:41-44 KJV
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:8-10 KJV
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. Matthew 2:8-12 KJV
1. The whole Christian (Christmas) message is based and rooted in JOY.
a. Even in the womb, the baby John, who would become known as John the Baptist, leapt for joy in the presence of the unborn baby Jesus.
b. The angels announced glad tidings of great joy to the world, singing and worshiping the Lord.
c. When the wise men saw the star they were filled with exceeding great joy - ecstatic joy (AMP).
2. In the presence of Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, there is JOY.
a. Psalms 16:11 KJV – “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
b. Acts 2:28 AMP – “You have made known to me the ways of life; You will enrapture me [diffusing my soul with joy] with and in Your presence.”
c. Job 5:22a KJV – “At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.”
d. Psalms 2:4a KJV – “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.”
e. Acts 13:52 KJV – “And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.”
3. Jesus wants you to have JOY.
a. Luke 10:19-21 KJV – “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.”
b. Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
c. John 16:22 KJV – “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”
d. Philippians 4:4 KJV - Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
e. Acts 2:26 KJV – “Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope.”
4. God’s Kingdom - is a JOYFUL, JOY-FILLED Kingdom.
a. Romans 14:17 KJV - For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
b. Galatians 5:22-23 KJV – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
c. 1 Peter 1:8-9 KJV – “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”