Millcreek Community Church

Walking With Great Joy

December 27, 2009 | Todd Cyphers

Luke 2:8-14

Great Joy

Luke 2:8-10

December 27, 2009

"The communion of a longing soul and a satisfying Christ is at the center of God's plan." Larry Crabb

"The pursuit of pleasure is not optional. It is essential." John Piper

I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have no soul happy in the Lord. The first thing … was not, how much I might serve the Lord… but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man may be nourished… I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the word of God and to meditation on it. George Muller

Joy is the overflow of enthusiasm that comes as we experience the sovereign goodness of God.

Deuteronomy 32:44-47 Page # 221

Psalm 19:7-11 Page # 561

Receiving & obeying God’s voice:

I. Produces “LIFE” that begets joy

II. Produces “WISDOM” that increases joy.

My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart also will be glad.
Proverbs 23:15

John 15:11 Page #1079

III. Produces increased “FAITH” that creates joy.

…I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith Philippians 1:25

John 8:31-36

IV. Produces “FREEDOM” over sin that enlarges our joy.

He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:19

John 16:24 Page #1080

V. Produces sincere “PRAYER” that results in joy.

Romans 5:1-5 Page #1129

VI. Produces “HOPE” that stirs on our joy.

2 Corinthians 1:23-24 Page #1155

VII. Produces a desire to MINISTER for others joy.

2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Questions for this week:

I. For Starters:

When do you tend to be the most joyful?
Would you say that you continually possess a joyful disposition? Explain your answer.
What/who/where most often causes you to surrender your joy?

II. Overview of Scripture

Read Psalm 19 out loud. What jumps out to you that would be beneficial to your life if you applied what the Psalmist says to do?
Read Psalm 1 and describe the differences between the two types of people.
Read the following verses and summarize what a daily intake of God’s voice into our souls is meant to do. (Psalm 119:16, 97, and 111)
Read Jeremiah 15:16 and Jeremiah 2:11-13. Put the two truths of these two Scriptures into your own words. What must we avoid at all costs?
Why must we be diligent to pursue joy each day by finding pleasure in God &His word? (1 Peter 5:8 & John 10:10)
What must we know if we are going to be moved to keep returning to Scripture in order to maintain our joy in God? (Psalm 18:19)
Is it easy or difficult for you to believe that God “delights” in you? Explain.

III. Growing deeper

1. Review Sunday’s message with someone.

2. Read Psalm 27:4 and discuss if this is truly your main priority each day. How would you know if it is or is not a priority?

3. Pray that you would grow in your joy so that the Gospel would be more and more attractive through you.

Series Information

Other sermons in the series

Nov 01, 2009