Easter Sunday - Joy in the Journey

Joy In The Journey

Matthew 28:1-10

 “Joy is the serious business of heaven.” -C.S. Lewis

Why doesn’t God make life easier?

1. So god’s glory will shine even brighter.

Romans 9:22–23 NLT In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.

2. So we won’t forget who is lord.

Prov. 30:8b–9a Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’

3. So we will depend on Christ’s power, not our own.

2 Cor. 12:9b–10 I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

4. Because in his infinite wisdom, this life includes suffering.

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

HOW CAN I CHOOSE JOY DURING THIS PANDEMIC???

1. ETERNITY CHANGES EVERYTHING!

Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

2. ARM YOURSELF WITH THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.

Ephesians 6:16–17 Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

3. CUT THE CORD TO THE WORLD.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 4. TAKE A TIMEOUT FOR PRAYER. = LEADS TO JOY!

Phil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

CHOOSE JOY!  God is sovereign and will make all things right and good in the end.

CHOOSE JESUS FIRST!  This is all conditioned on one thing:  Christ in you!

CHOOSE TODAY!  There’s no time like the present.