We just studied six messages about giving three cheers for Jesus Christ! The number "three" represented the three passages from Isaiah that we studied (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 40:5). That gave us three questions that were answered by all three passages. Do the math and it sounds like nine cheers, doesn't it? In conclusion, we want to simplify this and have three ways that we can give a cheer - or rather give thanks for the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Scripture reading encourages us to Glory in Christ and His cross, not the many influences that are in the world.

The world is competing for our attention, loyalty, and support. Many people passionately identify with many different causes. It may be ethnic, religious, political, cultural, philosophical, or athletic, etc. (Matthew 4:8-10; 16:24-26; Galatians 6:14; Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 2:1-10; James 4:1-10; I John 2:15-17). But this series was intended to encourage you to make your boast in the Lord. We have every reason to give Jesus Christ the priority of our lives. The followers of Christ need to present themselves clearly and unashamedly to the world, declaring and demonstrating with their lives that Jesus Christ is Lord! See Psalm 34:1-3; Philippians 1:20-21; 2:5-16; 4:4-9.

With the basic outline of this series on the next page to refresh your memory, we are now offering three areas of thanks that correspond to the three cheers which we have studied. May these "cheer" you up as you walk with Christ and His people in a world that is void of real and lasting joy.

First Cheer: Jesus Christ is the unspeakable gift that keeps on giving!
I Corinthians 9:15; John 1:14,16-17; John 4:10,14; Ephesians 4:7-13; Philippians 4:13,19.

Second Cheer: Jesus Christ is the very present Help. He is our Shepherd and King who gives us a glorious future and a hope!
John 10:1-16,27-30; 14:15-23; Matthew 5:1-12; Luke 12:29-32; Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 8:15-18; Colossians 1:3-14; Hebrews 13:20-21; I Peter 1:3-5; Revelation 1:5-6 cp. Psalm 46:1,10; Isaiah 7:14; 32:1-2; Jeremiah 29:11-13.

Third Cheer: Jesus Christ is the source of all power, zeal, and knowledge!
Matthew 28:18; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:15-16; Galatians 2:20; 4:6; Philippians 4:13 (cp. Romans 15:18); Colossians 2:3; Ephesians 3:14-19; 5:11-21; II Timothy 2:1; I Corinthians 2:16.

Addendum to the Message

Three Christmas Cheers for Jesus Christ!

Main Outline

Introduction - From Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 40:5 we are going to ask three questions:

• What did the Lord give us?
• What is God, through His Son, going to do for us / do with us?
• What forces are at work in the world: revealing Christ to us / releasing Christ through us?