Joy Lives

April 14, 2013                                                                                    

The Story Continues

Joy Lives

Psalm 66:1-4

Synopsis: We give thanks to God for the joys of life.  Every day has some, along with everything else.  This is the time of year that believers need to be reminded that the source of our eternal joy is found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Joy lives because of the resurrection.

            Psalms 66, 65, and 98 all give expression to the joyous praise of believers.  “Come and listen …and I will tell you what he did for me.” (Psalm 66:16, NLT)  Telling others what God has done for them is one way believers express the JOY of the Lord.  

Jubilate Sunday, third Sunday after Easter, marks a time for believers to celebrate the joy that flows eternally from the empty tomb.  1 Peter 1:8b says, “Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.”  The “inexpressible joy” of believers flows like a mighty river from the presence of the Lord. Ezekiel’s image of the river flowing from the Temple illustrates the source of our joy in the realization of our jubilee. 

Scripture Text (NLT):  Psalm 66:1-4, 16-20, 65:1-4, 8b, 12-13, 98:1-9; 1 Peter 1:8-9; Ezekiel 47:1-12

Scripture Reading: Psalm 100