Joy

Joy is Gospel-given strength that enables you to rejoice

Q. How does the Gospel give us strength that enables us to rejoice?

A. The Gospel brings us a salvation we can rejoice about from a Savior we can rejoice in, even though we have struggles we have to rejoice through.

A salvation from a Savior who keeps us in our struggle

The Salvation we rejoice about

Source: God in Particular

the Salvation we rejoice about is a work of the Father alone

Work: “Begotten Again” - A Work of the Father Alone

A Merciful Work

Text “According to abundant mercy”

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Princ: our salvation was an act of God’s mercy, not our effort or merit

A Life-Giving WOrk

Text: into a living hope

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Princ: our salvation calls us out of a life of despair into a life of hope

Miraculous Work

Text: Through the Resurrectio

A Generous Work

Text: To an inheritance

Expl: Last week sons, this week heirs

We share in what the Father has

Security: An Everlating Reward

incorruptible - not cheapened by the materalism of the world

undefiled - not soiled by the stain of imperfection and sin

unfading - not crippled by the curse of time

Assurance - Not handled by human hands

Reward Reserved

in heaven

for me

SOul Guarded

by God’s Power

through my faith

Principles

Hope Down here, heaven up there

My Reward is Kept up there, my life is kept down here

The Struggles We Rejoice Through (and the gifts they bring)

Struggles are temporary:

“For a little while” in contrast with all the eternal language to describe everything else.

Struggles are painful

Grief

Struggles Brings Gifts

Authentic joy (outweighs grief)

Authentic Faith (outlasts trials)

The Savior we rejoice In

We Live for His Praise

We long for His Presence

We Look for His Victory