Christmas At Bethesda 2024 | Message 2: The Shepherd’s Candle | Pastor Chad Dingess | 12/08/2024

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek with all your heart.

Psalms 16:11
God will fill me with joy in his presence.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.

John 16:24
Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

Hebrews 12:2
For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Matthew 22:36-40
Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Acts 20:35
The Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Luke 2:8-12, 20 (NIV)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.” The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Isaiah 52:7-10 (NIV)
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.