“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil 4:4)

“The joy of the Lord is your strength”

“Joy” is cheerfulness, calm delight.

“The joy of the Lord” is a metonym for the cause for their joy

Restoration back to God.

Nehemiah 8:8-10

“The joy of the Lord is your strength”

Jesus… “for the joy set before Him” (Heb 12:2)

He learned obedience (Heb 5:8-9)

He endured shame (Heb 12:2)

He prayed for Heaven’s glory (John17:5)

1. Learn to obey the Lord

“The joy of the Lord is your strength”

Jesus… “enter the joy of your lord” (Matt 25:20-21) 

By seeking His forgiveness (Acts 2:38; …. 1 John 1:9)

By showing His mercy (1 Tim 1:16-18; . Jas 2:13)

2. Anticipate the judgment of the Lord

“The joy of the Lord is your strength”

Jesus… “love with joy inexpressible”(1 Pet 1:6-9; 13-17; 18-21)  

To endure the testing of faith

To receive the salvation of the soul

To hope for grace at his coming

To be obedient, holy children

To pass the time in fear

3. Focus on loving the Lord

“The joy of the Lord is your strength”

David… “strengthened himself in the LORD his God” (1 Sam 30:6)

He prayed to the LORD: Jehovah

He obeyed the LORD

He anticipated the LORD’S promise

He focused on his love for the LORD

4. David, a living example

God’s plan for our Salvation!

• Faith in Jesus Christ through the GospelJohn 8:24; 20:30-31; Rom 1:16; 10:9-10; Mark 16:16; Heb 11:6

• Repent or turn from sinsLuke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31

• Confess faith in ChristMatt 10:32-33; Acts 8:36-38; Rom 10:9-10

• Be baptized (immersed) in water – sins forgivenMatt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4; 1 Pet 3:21

• Live in obedient faithHeb 5:8-9; 1 Peter 1:14; Rev 2:10

“Can you rejoice in the Lord?”

The only way to find lasti

.

“He who believes and is baptized

will be saved” (Mark 16:16)