1. All I want for Christmas is…
Isaiah 9:1-7
All I want for Christmas is…

2. Joy is a good thing
John 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

3. Isaiah 9:1-7
Jesus is the source of great JOY.
Big Idea

4. Destruction of Jerusalem 607 BCE
Jeremiah
Fall of Samaria 740 BCE
Destruction of Jerusalem 607 BCE
Daniel
Isaiah
Ezekiel
Israel
Judah
Isaiah 45:22 Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

5. Isaiah 9:1-5 Description of JOY
Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-- 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
Timing
Geography

7. Isaiah 9:1-5 Description of JOY
Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-- 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
Timing
Geography
Matthew 4:15-16
Word Pictures

8. Isaiah 9
4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
Rescue of 33 miners in Chile after 69 days underground

9. Isaiah 9
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7 Source of JOY
wisdom
power
comfort
peace

10. Big Idea Getting Started Isaiah 9:1-7
Jesus is the source of great JOY.
Big Idea
Getting Started
Don’t expect too much joy from circumstances and stuff.
Do …

11. Why does your mom say you can’t have candy before dinner?
Raise your hand if your mom ever told you not to eat candy before a meal?
Why did she seem to be so committed to that rule?
Because she knew it would ruin your next meal. The trouble with eating candy is that it gives you a sugar buzz, and then you don't feel hungry. Candy masks the fact that your body needs proteins and vitamins. The sugar buzz from candy masks your hunger for the real nutrients that you don't have.
When I focus on sex, positive circumstances and stuff and success too much they can affect me like spiritual sugar – I experience a temporary buzz that masks my real need. It is only when these things are taken away that I become aware of how much I need Christ. When I turn away from them to focus on Christ… that leads us to the positive response – to complement the negative…
Pastor Tim Keller used the following example to show how to find ultimate joy and satisfaction in Christ:
Do you remember when your mother used to say, "Don't eat candy before meals?" Why did she say that? Because she knew it would ruin your next meal. The trouble with eating candy is that it gives you a sugar buzz, and then you don't feel hungry. Candy masks the fact that your body needs proteins and vitamins. The sugar buzz from candy masks your hunger for the real nutrients that you don't have. Things like sex, power, money, and success—as well as favorable circumstances—act like spiritual sugar. Christians who have these spiritual candies may say, "Sure, I believe in God and I know I'm going to heaven," but they're actually basing their day-to-day joy on favorable circumstances. When the circumstances change, it drives us to God, because when the sugar disappears, when the candy gets taken away, we're forced to pursue the feast that our souls really crave. We'll hunger for the spiritual nutrients we really need. Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York, from the sermon "Joy," (preached ); to listen to the sermon, click here; submitted by Van Morris, Mount Washington, Kentucky
Why does your mom say you can’t have candy before dinner?

12. Big Idea Getting Started Isaiah 9:1-7
Jesus is the source of great JOY.
Big Idea
Getting Started
Don’t expect too much joy from circumstances and stuff.
Positive: Joy comes from remaining in Christ – different from quiet time or “devos”
power cord analogy… again or
“wireless” analogy –
competition over 3G network of 4G network – the whole point is so that you can stay connected
Little thing on your cell phone or laptop that lights up when you are connected…. Got something like that for people?
Frustration when doesn’t work… communication isn’t happening… troubleshooting points out that the wireless feature is turned off. Do you want it to be turned on? Yes. Having it off is not working well for me right now
James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Do cultivate the habit of living in vital connection to Christ.

13. Psalm 94
18 When I said, "My foot is slipping,"
your love, O LORD, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul.

14. Big Idea Getting Started Isaiah 9:1-7
JESUS is the source of great JOY.
Big Idea
Getting Started
Don’t expect too much joy from circumstances and stuff.
Do cultivate the habit of living in vital connection to Christ.