PATIENT JOY

Share the Joy #2

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Sunday, December 15, 2024

(Luke 2:10–14, NLT) “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

(Luke 2:20, NLV) “The shepherds went back full of joy”

(Matthew 2:10, NLT) “When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!”

(Luke 1:44, NLT) “When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.”

(Luke 1.:47, Phillips) “My soul is full of joy in God my Savior.”

(Luke 1:46–48, GW) “Mary said, “My soul praises the Lord’s greatness!  My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior, because he has looked favorably on me, his humble servant.  “From now on, all people will call me blessed”

1.  JOY COMES IN THE MANGER SEASONS OF LIFE

(Luke 1:28, NIV) “The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

(Ephesians 1:6, ESV) “To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed [highly favored] us in the Beloved.”

(Psalm 84:11, ESV) “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

2.  POWER FOR LIVING IS RELEASED IN WITH THE FAVOR OF GOD

(Luke 1:35, NLT) “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”

(Acts 1:8, NLT) “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”

(Ephesians 3:20, NLT) “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

GROWTHWORK

Colossians 3:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:6

(Colossians 3:5–16, NLT) “Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy … Now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. … Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. … clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. …  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, … let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. … always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. … Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:6, NLT) “So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.”

1.  Ask myself the following questions to prepare for God’s work in me

a.  Am I living a purpose driven life as a passionate follower of Christ.

b.  Am I ready for God to work in my life?

c.  What do I want to be filled with? What do I need to purge from my life?

2.  Prepare personally

3.  Prepare my space

“Welcoming a guest moves from the heart to the hands.” –Sabbath, Dan Allender, pp 60

(Psalm 27:14, NASB95) “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”