HOLDING ONTO GLADNESS IN A GRUMPY WORLD
Everyone wants to ride the elevator to elation. We all want to be able to ‘jump for joy’. After all, don’t Christians affirm that “the joy of the Lord is our strength”? (Nehemiah 8:10) Are we not commanded to rejoice? (Philippians 4:4)

Yet the “grasp of gladness” is not always so secure. As we move through various Scriptures and then into the Easter account, listen carefully to how god is calling you to advance to a stance that is firmly planted on the solid rock of rejoicing in the Lord and His ways.

This series deserves more than a casual glance - it has the potential to transform your life and secure you in Christ.

February 17 part #1 JOYFUL LIVING – 1 Peter 1:3-9
February 24 part #2 JOYFUL SINGING – Psalm 100
March 02 part #3 JOY BUSTERS – Mark 14:32-65
March 09 part #4 JOYFUL GIVING – 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
March 16 (Palm Sunday) part #5 JOY RIDE – Luke 19:28-40
March 23 (Easter) part #6 JOY BOOSTER - John 20:10-20

Part #6 “JOY BOOSTER” John 20:10-21 March 23, 2008 (Easter) Rev. Doug Johns


1. MARY is definitely in need of a “joy boost”! verses 11,13,15 = CRYING

· Lesson from Matthew Henry = “weeping must not prevent seeking”
· In the ‘middle of the riddle’ the temptation is to focus on the tomb
· The solution to her grief is to see Jesus again
· ‘Friday focus’ = frustration; ‘Sunday focus’ = solutions

2. BEHIND CLOSED DOORS – The DISCIPLES are definitely in need of a “joy boost”! verses 19 - 21

· It is important to obey Hebrews 10:25, even in a crisis
· Everything changes when Jesus arrives: doubt is diminished and peace is promised

THE LESSONS?
1. Transformation is the ‘name of the game’.
2. Locked in or sent out? - so often it all comes back to “mission”.

HOLDING ONTO GLADNESS IN A GRUMPY WORLD
Part #5 “JOY RIDE” Luke 19:28-40 March 16, 2008 Rev. Doug Johns

1. Praise is Raised! Verses 37-38
· “the whole crowd of disciples”
· “began joyfully to praise God”
· “in loud voices”
· “for all the miracles they had seen”
· “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”
· “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

2. Critics Complain Verse 39-40
· “some of the Pharisees said:”
· “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
· “Jesus replied: “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out!””

Lessons:
To ride into your joy, know where to look and where not to look.
When it rains on your parade, Fret Not (God loves you John 13:1); Faint Not (God holds you Psalm 139:10); Fear Not (God keeps you Psalm 121:5)
Two Keys to Gladness: recall the Lord’s awesome acts & reflect on the Lord’s courage.

HOLDING ONTO GLADNESS IN A GRUMPY WORLD
Part #4 “JOYFUL GIVING” 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 March 09, 2008 Rev. Doug Johns
INTRODUCTION
Seneca = “Let us give in the manner that would have been acceptable if we were receiving. Above all, let us give willingly, promptly and without hesitation…. No gratitude is felt for a benefit when it has lingered long in the hands of him who give it, when the giver has seemed sorry to let it go, and has given it with the air of one who was robbing himself.”
When God’s work is done in God’s way for God’s glory, it will never lack God’s supply. - J. Hudson Taylor
It’s not what you do with the million if fortune should ere be your lot, but what are you doing at present with the dollar and quarter you got. - Anonymous
MONEY MATTERS
1. As earnings increase, yearnings increase
2. Materialism begins where our income ends
BIBLE BASICS
1. Our money and our hearts are linked – Matthew 6:21
2. We can’t take it with us – Job 1:21
3. God is behind our wealth – Deuteronomy 8:18
4. Blessed so as to bless – 2 Corinthians 9:11
5. Sow and reap – 2 Corinthians 9:6
6. Heart resolve – 2 Corinthians 9:7
7. Laugh-out-loud giving – 2 Corinthians 9:7
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION (some ideas from Bishop T.D. Jakes)
1. God’s plan – Garden of Eden – eat God’s portion, leave God’s place … Eden = God’s plan for perpetual blessing (all needs met without sweat) … 2 Corinthians 9 = generous giving = god’s plan for perpetual church blessing and health
2. God’s pattern – love gives (John 3:16); envy/lust takes … “redeemed” is a financial term
Conclusion:
· Love makes one want to give
· We should be such generous givers that we give our accountants heart palpitations! (Ed Young)
· God judges what we give by what we keep – (George Mueller)
· Give according to your income, lest God make your income according to your giving – Peter Marshall

Part #3 “JOY BUSTERS” Mark 14:32-65 March 02, 2008 Rev. Doug Johns

1. SLEEPING SAINTS verses 32-42
2. A KILLER KISS verses 43-52
3. MISTAKEN IDENTITY verses 53-65

· The Gethsemane account affirms the historicity of these events – why?
· Can you feel the emotional agony? NIV = verse 33 = “deeply distressed and troubled” … verse 34 = “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” … some other translations = “terrified”, “shuddering”, like distress that follows a great shock”, “a heart ready to break with grief”
· “Watch and pray” (verse 38) is easier said than done – why?
· So much for the bold ‘Peter – pledge’ of verse 31!
· Jesus faced the cross head on, eyes open; the disciples closed their eyes

· Verse 43 = “Judas, one of the twelve” = a joy-busting tragedy
· Betrayal from the inside is worse than assault from the outside
· 3 ‘joy - busters in this section: betrayal; sword; abandonment

· Verse 61 = “Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?” (they don’t believe Him, but will accept it as truth so as to enforce the ultimate penalty for blasphemy … but look at verse 62 (2nd advent) + John 3:36 & 1 John 2:22 & 4:1-3 )

Hebrews 12:2 = Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Romans 8:18 = I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Matthew 25:21 = Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful …. Come and share your master’s happiness!

Part #2 “JOYFUL SINGING” Psalm 100 February 24, 2008 Rev. Doug Johns

Introduction:
How do you approach God? Some come with weeping and wailing. (the ‘dirge approach’)

Psalm 100 = approach God with …
1. Shouts of joy (verse 1)
2. A heart of service (verse 2)
3. A heart of gladness (verse 2)
4. Joyful songs (verse 2)
5. A knowledge that we belong to Him (verse 3)
6. Praise and thanksgiving (verse 4)
7. Recognition of His good and enduring love (verse 5)
8. Celebrate His enduring faithfulness and truth (verse 5)

Singing to the Lord with joy is a common theme in the Psalms (5:11, 27:6, 28:7, 33:3, 47:1,5, 67:4, 71:23, 81:1, 90:14, 92:4, 95:1)

Are there some practical, helpful hints to promote joyful singing?

Conclusion:
Charles Spurgeon = “the measured, harmonious, hearty utterance of praise by a congregation is not merely decorous or delightful, but fit anticipation of the worship of heaven. How a certain society of brethren can find it in their hearts to forbid singing in public worship is a riddle which we cannot solve.”

HOLDING ONTO GLADNESS IN A GRUMPY WORLD

Part #1 “JOYFUL LIVING” 1 Peter 1:3-9 February 17, 2008 Rev. Doug Johns
Introduction:
Joy versus Happiness – is there a difference?
‘Eyore Christianity’
Thomas Watson = “Cheerfulness credits religion”

There are seven benefits (a gift list) in 1 Peter 1:3-9 that give joy its deep roots:

1. Verse 3 = our new birth
2. Verse 3 = a living hope
3. Verse 4 = an inheritance
4. Verse 5 = we are shielded
5. Verse 5 = until the coming salvation
6. Verses 6 & 7 = the maturity caused by temporary grief and trials
7. Verse 9 = faith’s goal: soul salvation
· Note the “prime cause” of these seven gifts: Verse 3 = God’s Mercy + Christ’s Resurrection
· Note the “reception response”: Verse 8 = love + belief

Conclusion:
Verse 6 = “in this you greatly rejoice”
Verse 8 = “you are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy”

Remember: (A) Joy is relational not circumstantial; (B) The ‘fact, faith, feeling train’
Look up Psalm 21:6, 45:7,15