LUKE 1:39-45  | FINDING JOY IN OUR DISCOURAGEMENTS

Series: Rediscover Christmas

December 13, 2020 | Pastor Erdie Carter

Big Idea: Joy is evident in a person's life when they are filled by the Holy Spirit and seek to imitate Christ. 

Luke 1:39–45 (CSB) — 39 In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah 40 where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed! 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!”

I. When Christ is present. (vs. 41)

II. When the Holy Spirit fills our hearts. (vs. 41)

III. When our lives imitate Christ. 

          A. In our actions

          1 John 2:6 (NLT) — 6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

          B. In our love

          John 13:34 (CSB) — 34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 

         C. In our forgiveness

          Ephesians 4:32 (CSB) — 32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. 

         D. In our commitment

          John 14:15 (CSB) — 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands.

         E. In our suffering 

         Luke 6:23 (CSB) — 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note—your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets.