Bible Reading Week 50 (3rd Sunday)

This Week’s Theme: Looking Forward to Joy

Word for the Week is Joy: A quality or attitude of delight and happiness, which is ultimately grounded in the work of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Among the many situations in which joy is experienced, Scripture recognizes as supreme being accepted in the presence of God.

Memory verse: Jude 1:24 (NKJV)

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present [you] faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

Sermon Focus: Jesus has come, giving us much cause for joy.

Sermon Passage: Luke 2:4-14

Luke 2:4–14 NKJV

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 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. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

INTRODUCTION: [I NEED TO FIND TIMES IN PEOPLE LIVES WHEN THEY REJOICE]JOIN THE CELEBRATION!1. **Birth and Childhood Milestones**:

Education Achievements

- Graduating from kindergarten, high school, college, or university.

- Receiving awards or scholarships.

JOB Advancements:

- Getting a first job or a dream job.

- Promotions or career advancements.

- Retirement, marking the end of a successful career.

Relationships and Personal Events

- Engagements and weddings.

- Anniversaries, particularly milestone anniversaries like the 25th or 50th.

- Reunions with family or friends.

5. **Personal Accomplishments and Goals**:

- Completing a personal challenge, such as running a marathon.

- Overcoming a significant personal obstacle or challenge.

- Achieving a long-term personal goal like publishing a book or starting a business.

- Celebrating the birth of a child.

- A child's first words or steps.

- Birthdays, especially significant ones like the first, 13th, sweet sixteen, or coming-of-age celebrations.

THIS MORNING I WANT YOU TO

JOIN THE CELEBRATION!

WHAT CELEBRATION? I’M SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE CURIOUS.

I. GOD PROMISED

In Genesis,

ADAM AND EVE LISTENED TO THE DECEITFULNESS OF DEVIL AND SIN CORRUPTED HUMANITY

THE LORD PROMISED A NEW MAN,

THE SEED OF THE WOMAN

Genesis 3:15 NKJV

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

The Promised Seed of Abraham

Genesis 18:18 NKJV

since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

HE WILL ALSO BE

In Judges,

THE FAILURES OF GIDEON, SAMSON, AND OTHERS

THEREFORE PROMISED

A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE

Isaiah 11:2–6 NKJV

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.

Ruler of Israel out of Bethlehem

Micah 5:2–4 NKJV

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” Therefore He shall give them up, Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; Then the remnant of His brethren Shall return to the children of Israel. And He shall stand and feed His flock In the strength of the Lord, In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God; And they shall abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of the earth;

ABRAHAM WAS CONVINCED

Romans 4:21 NKJV

and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

In Exodus, A PASSOVER LAMB

In Leviticus, A NEW LAW GIVER

In Deuteronomy, A PROPHET LIKE MOSES

II. GOD PERFORMED

A. THE RIGHT TIME

Luke 2:11 NKJV

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Galatians 4:4 NKJV

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

B. THE RIGHT PLACE

Luke 2:4 NKJV

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,

Luke 2:11 NKJV

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Micah 5:2 NKJV

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

C. THE RIGHT PERSON

Luke 2:11 NKJV

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Savior

CHRIST IS THE

PERFECT Deliverer for everyone’s bondage

PERFECT Sacrifice for everyone’s sin

PERFECT Hope for everyone’s despair

PERFECT Strength for everyone’s weakness

PERFECT Guide for everyone’s journey

PERFECT Supply for everyone’s need

PERFECT Victory for everyone’s battle

Christ

HE IS THE ANOINTED ONE

If you need to understand

He is the Truth

If you need to see

He is the True Light

If you need saving

He is the Savior

If you need redeeming

He is the Redeemer

If you need instruction

He is the Prophet

If you need help

He is the Mediator

If you need justice

He is the Judge

If you need holding

He is the Sustainer

If you in need

He is the Provider

If you need cleansing

He is the Holy One

Lord

He is the Chief Shepherd

He is the Great High Priest

He is the Only Advocate

He is Captain of Salvation

He is the Blessed and only Potentate

He is Author and Finisher

He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending

He is King of all kings, He is Lord of all lords

III. GOD PREVAILED

Luke 2:13–14 NKJV

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

JOIN THE CELEBRATION!

CHRIST CAME TO

ALLEVIATE YOUR AGONY

MITIGATE YOUR MISERY

HEAL YOUR HURT

BEAR YOUR BURDENS

He washed my wickedness

He disinfected my dirt

He cleansed me from my corruption

He sterilized my depravity

He sanitized my sin

He rinsed me from my rottenness

He purified my evil bad

THE LORD TO

TURN YOUR DISCONTENTMENT INTO SATISFACTION

TURN YOUR SORROW INTO HAPPINESS

TURN YOUR TURMOIL INTO PEACE

TURN YOUR JEALOUSY INTO LOVE

TURN YOUR BURDENS INTO BLESSINGS

TURN YOUR MISERY INTO COMFORT

TURN YOUR DESPAIR INTO HOPE

Change your brokenness to blessed

Change your trials to thanksgiving

Change your adversity to appreciation

Change your alteration to adoration

Change your misfortune to magnification

Change your problems to praise

Change your grim days to gratitude

Change your disasters to deliverance

Change your ‘how long’ to hallelujah

Change your sad situations into spiritual songs

Changed us from

Fools to Followers of Christ

Backbiters to Believers

Criminals to Christians

Depraved to Disciples

Transgressors to Transformers

Rebels to Righteous

Wrongdoers to Worshippers

Sinners to Saints