SHARE THE JOY
Share the Joy #1
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Sunday, December 8, 2024
(Luke 1:26–38, NLT) “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.”
1. Astonishment
(Luke 1:34, NLT) “Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
2. Surrender with Wonder
(Luke 1:38, NLT) “Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
3. Comprehension
(Luke 1:43–45, NLT) “Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? … You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
(Luke 1:49, NLT) “For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.”
4. Joy
(Luke 1:46–48, NLT) “Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.”
One day _____________________________________________.
One day … When I get married.
One day … When I am healed of this illness.
One day … When I score that dream job.
One day … When I get out of this funk.
One day … When my spouse changes.
One day … When the Christmas service is perfect.
One day … When I find balance.
One day … When I get over that break up.
One day … When I have more money.
If only _____________________________________________.
If only … I had savored that moment.
If only … I had been more intentional.
If only … I never made that mistake.
If only … I had been a better version of myself.
If only … I hadn’t lost that opportunity, relationship, etc.
If only … The season lasted a little bit longer before I had to let go.
5. Stop and Claim the Joy Jesus offers me now.
(John 15:5,11, NLT) “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. … I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”
(Luke 1:38, ESV) “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
6. Fear
(Luke 1:50, NLT) “He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.”
a. The fear of law is I’m afraid of being hurt.
b. The fear of love is I’m afraid of hurting someone I love.
(Psalm 130:4, NLT) “But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.”
7. Truth
(Luke 1:50, NLT) “He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.”
(Psalm 130:5–7, NLT) “I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn. O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows.”
(Luke 1:46–47, NLT) “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”
GROWTHWORK
1. Who or what is your source of eternal joy?
2. What gives you great joy?
3. What increases your joy?
a. Don’t limit God’s work in your life.
b. Wait patiently on God.
c. God is up to something big in your life.